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Hey! ...I had the other post about this. While I don't have advice (I'm still totally freaked out about my own situation, because my dr. still refuses) - I just wanted to let you know I sympathize. I really got no response to my question, appearantly there are just no women here dealing with this. When I first got pregnant, I actually thought my fibro. problems subsided for awhile, but now at 34 weeks, they've come back, times a billion. I'm so worried about labor. I don't want the hospital staff getting put out with me, when I'm not able to push like I should, or deal with the pain. Anyways, I'm always here, if you need an ear.

I completely understand. I felt great after the awful morning sickness, but now entering my 3rd trimester, I definetely feel like I am losing what little control I had over the fibromyalgia. I know many people think that it shouldn't be considered a disease, but it is very real. You may want to look for a new dr. I know I have had my rounds with my current one. If anyone has had experience with fibromyalgia and pregnancy, we would appreciate any advice! I guess in the meantime, just keep your mind set on the end result - a healthy baby!

Hi! I have fibromyalgia. What an awful, awful disease. I hate being in pain all the time. Anyway, I had a v____al birth and it was awful. If I can muster up the courage to ever get pregnant again, I think I will have an elective c/s. I'm almost afraid to tell you my birth story, because I don't want to frighten you. Long story short, it involved being in labor for 3 1/2 days, failed epidural (so NO pain relief), over 3 hours of pushing, his shoulder getting caught behind my pelvic bone, 2 second degree tears and a third degree tear that turned into a 4th degree episiotomy, the placenta wouldn't detatch so I had to have an emergency D&C to have it removed, I pa__sed out from blood loss and started hemmoraging on the table, got an infection at the incision site after going home, and tore my st_tiches while having a bowel movement around 5 or 6 days post parturm. Fun times. :-S It was very scary. The more I think about it, I really believe that all fibro patients should be given the option of elective c/s, since pain management is so difficult in fibro patients. I'm sorry you are hurting. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon. p.s. I would encourage you to b___stfeed. The hormones that BF'ing releases are natural painkillers, and have been great for my fibro. It was a rough go of it in the beginning and very painful when latching, but so worth it in the end, if you can just get by those first hard weeks.

I have Fibromyalgia & CFS & have had 4 children naturally. I have it bad now, alot worse than I used to. These days I often cannot even drive my children to school. Thankgod for a wonderful hubby with understanding bosses. Personally the thought of a C-section really scares me, because I don't know how I'd handle the recovery. It is major abdominal surgery & I don't know how I'd handle the pain & six weeks of not being able to lift, bend or do anything remotely physical & that on top of the other everyday pain I deal with. I had my first child at 18 & she weighed almost 9lb. Her birth was relatively straight foward & thanks to a wonderful midwife I ended up with no tears or st_tches either. I used gas & air & had a shot of pethidine & walked & squatted. For me it worked well. I am one of those women that my symptoms get worse whilst I am pregnant, & my 2nd pregnancy was very rough. But I feel that maybe it's the hormones during labour that get me through without any trouble, (haven't let me down yet.) All of my children have been born naturally & epidural free. Within a very short period of time I am up, showered & tending to my baby. I find tha the 'euphoric' hormones last for about 24 hours & I feel absolutely wonderful! Really hope that things turn out well for you whatever happens.

I was diagnosed with FMS and CFS amongst other things in 1999, but knew I had it before that. I had 2 children at that time. To date I've had a total of 6 pregnancies, 3 resulting in miscarriages. I have a 9, 7 and 2 year old. My FMS is always bad, but sometimes HORRIBLE!! I would NOT allow it to stop me from having a family. I knew I wasn't getting any younger and no miracle cures seem to be anywhere around, so I painfully got through my pregnancies. I delivered all three v____ally and though it was tough, I made it. One thing with me (unkown if it has any to do with the FMS) is I would labor FOREVER at home. I would have all the signs of labor a week or two before actually giving birth. It was insane. I did have early labor that needed to be stopped with my third child and I delivered my second child 21 days early, but the long lingering labor sucked. Once I finally made it to the hospital, I was around 5 centimeters dilated, once time 6. I ended up getting the epidural anyway and it only worked correctly one time. It did work the first time, but they gave me so much I couldn't push. When I did push, it took over 2 hours before she was born. With my second, the epidural just didn't take. Maybe cuz I was over 7 centimeters and it was too late....I don't know. It worked for a short time and then it was AWFUL! Sorry, but I'm just being honest. The third time, the epidural worked great, but he was stuck and they used forceps to get him out. Actually, all three of my babies were "stuck" and one kept turning transverse making delivery more difficult. I tore significantly with all 3 deliveries. AS for the overall pain, I honestly think I was able to withstand MORE pain that the average woman BECAUSE of the FMS. IN other words, we are so use to being in chronic pain all the time that our threshold is actually higher than the average woman when giving birth. Does that make sense?? Think about it...if you're not use to everyday pain and then all the sudden go through labor and childbirth, it's like getting hit with a brick wall. Most woman I know that get an epidural need or want it before they are 3 centimeters. It's the dilating that causes the pain. I was in major pain, but didn't get the epidural until at least 6 centimeters. My OB doctors know little about FMS, which isn't good. Besides the pain a__sociated with FMS, I also have hypercoagulation with clotting in my leg and ovarian veins. I've had surgery on them and that problem may or may not be linked to the FMS. It may have contribued to my miscarriages as well...especially the one when I was in my second trimester. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE another baby, but the FMS is what is keeping me from trying right now. That, and a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease and spondylolethesis in my spine. So, I'm not the healthiest 34 year old, but I'm one that has always dreamed of a big family. I do worry sometimes how I'd do it in the middle of the night with another infant since sleep, as you all know is such an issue with us. However, they don't stay infants forever. The constant lifting and carrying though is another huge issue, not to mention the added stress. Not sure what we'll do. My hubby thinks I can't handle it and he's probably right. My rheumatologist told me to stop at 2...I didn't listen. Thankfully, cuz I can't imagine life wtihout my little boy. Not sure if I helped at all, but I felt compelled to share my story. If you think you can get through 9 months of EXTRA pain...everything exaggerated, go for it. However, remember that it's the CARING For the baby and child that'll be the toughest on you! That's what you really have to weigh...whether or not you think your illness has too much control over you or you can stand the pain to be a great parent. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!!

I have fibromyalgia and i`m in y 3rd trimester with my 2nd child. My daughter was born v____ally and it was horrendous, she has been left with a condition called erbs palsy due to shoulder dystosia(basically she got stuck and is paralysed from her shoulder down to her fingers on the right side), it also took me months to recover. (please forgive me if i`ve paniced you or distressed you so far, i am getting to my point!!) i have been offered an elective section with this baby, and i must be honest,dispite my first experiance it has taken a lot of soul searching to agree to the section,it is major surgery and recovery is longer than a normal birth, but, my experiance of pregnancy,labour and birth whilst suffering from fibromyalgia is, do what is best for you and your baby, everyone is different, and while i am petrified at having a section, i know it is the best option for me personally and my baby, and at the end of the day, me and a healthy baby are what really matters. i wish you all the luck in the world for the future