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Abby, I know it sounds like you will have to do most of the pushing, but your uterus will contract involuntarily during labor whether you have the energy to help it or not...if that helps a bit? I have fairly advanced MS and I can hardly walk at times but did unbelievably well with both my v____al deliveries. I think a c-section would be harder for you to recover from, as it is actual trauma to your body above and beyond a natural process and it may cause an acute flare-up of your fibromyalgia. My biggest fears are what happens when my disease progresses and I can't breathe on my own. If you can't push, the doctor will know when to say when, but believe it or not, paraplegic women have given birth naturally, so good luck!

Maxine, my dad has MS. It was diagnosed 24 years ago. Occasionally he needs a cane, and sometimes he has trouble with the vision in one eye. A few years back his doctors told him he had less than a year to live. He had some chemotherapy and started Avonex and he is doing much better than he has in years. He hasn't had an attack since he started the Avonex. His main symptom is fatigue. I don't know if it would be helpful to you, but it's made such a difference in my dad's life that I thought I'd mention it to you.

to JBear, thank you for your input, I just have been counseled on the Avonex therapy and will begin a trial of it post-hence and I am very glad your father is responding so well! To Abby, are you feeling any less apprehension? I know it feels like it will be unrealistic for you, but you must trust your doctor somewhat, without even a sliver of trust where would we be? I hope you have a WONDERFUL BIRTH and your body comes through for you. Much love through sisterhood of womankind.

I understand your frustration and fear. I suffer from fibromyalgia as well, but haven't experienced any weakness -- just PAIN! I am nervous about being able to handle the pain of fibromyalgia on top of labor pain - especially in the back. I too would like to have a C-section. My dr. is willing but wary. I don't know what to tell you - either way of giving birth is daunting and is no picnic, but you know your body's limitation.

I have fibromyalgia and my birth went well. I was obviously more tired than the other mothers who delivered the same day I did, but I did notice I wasn't as bad off as the otherwise "healthy" moms who had to deliver by c-section. It was ok and I was able to push as well as anyone else who had an epidural, as they had no more strength than I did. It will be fine, I really do think it would have been more risky to have had a c-section as I have found any physical trauma like surgery has caused major flare-ups of my condition. I had no such flare-up after my v____al delivery and in fact, have a bit of improvement although I am not sure giving birth had much to do with it. Good luck, I too, require a huge amount of physical care from my husband and understand your worry.

I too have fibromyalgia and was very lucky to have two health daughters 14 months apart the last two years. With my first born i was induced and tried to deliver for 20 hrs with no progress and ended with a c section. Healing was hard and I made the mistake of not asking for pain killers and when I asked I didn’t ask for stronger ones bc of my resistance to pain killers because I didn’t want to look bad to the dr.  Healing to me felt harder then my friends said they had bc of the Fibro. With my second daughter it was an automatic c section because they were so close together and to me not laboring made it a lot easier. I wasn’t as tired when she areived making it easier to be excited and able to managed pain better bc with me if I’m tired it’s a lot harder to handle the pain. I also asked for oxycodone for pain killers helped me to start and keep moving and in the end helped the healing move more quickly. I hope my experience helps. The biggest thing to remember is to listen to your body.