Fibromyalgia And Pregnancy: What You Should Know

The combination of fibromyalgia and pregnancy can make an expectant mother doubt whether she can meet all the challenges that lie ahead.

Normally, women feel endless joy when they discover that they are expecting a baby, but some health problems can become more difficult during pregnancy.

Symptoms associated with pregnancy, such as insomnia, intolerance to certain odors or foods, fatigue or nausea can all be tiring for any expectant mother.

But imagine adding fibromyalgia to this list – it makes these nine months a real challenge.

What is fibromyalgia?

It is a surprisingly unknown condition despite the fact that between 4 and 6 million people are affected by it every year in North America alone. In Sweden, approximately 250,000 people suffer from fibromyalgia.

This syndrome causes chronic pain throughout the body. Other symptoms can also lead to a complete change of life for those affected.

Fibromyalgia usually occurs initially in adulthood and symptoms may increase or decrease over time.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia causes great pain and fatigue. It attacks the muscles, can cause involuntary spasms and gives rise to pain and a burning sensation.

The shoulders, waist, neck area and arms are worst affected and here the pain is most intense. You can also feel tingling and numbness in the feet and hands.

In addition to all this, it causes a terrible headache, insomnia and intense fatigue. Depression and anxiety often occur with this syndrome.

As if that were not enough , there is no cure for fibromyalgia. There are only palliative treatments to counteract pain and anxiety.

Fibromyalgia and pregnancy

If a woman suffers from fibromyalgia and becomes pregnant, this can increase anxiety and make the symptoms even more intense.

However, there is no research that suggests that the symptoms must get worse during pregnancy. So it may be that for some women they get worse, while for others they get better.

However, it is true that during pregnancy, the placenta and ovaries produce relaxin, a hormone that relaxes ligaments in the body. Growth hormones can also have the same effect.

The levels of these hormones tend to be low in people with fibromyalgia, so during pregnancy they help to restore tissues and muscles. As a result, a pregnancy can provide potential benefits for women with fibromyalgia.

Tips for managing fibromyalgia and pregnancy

It is not easy, but here we take some advice for dealing with fibromyalgia and pregnancy at the same time.

Visit an occupational therapist

Occupational therapists are the best people to seek advice and treatment from in cases like this.

They help you with things like the proper use of your muscles when you stand up and help you avoid straining your muscles more than you need to.

Choose all baby items very carefully

Replace buttons and buckles with Velcro and choose the best furniture you can (adjustable cots, light prams, etc.). This will help you cope with the practicalities better once your baby has arrived.

Plan and prepare

Prepare for what you can do if your fibromyalgia symptoms get worse.

Plan for a little extra help with taking care of your child, maybe your family can relieve, and look for help with household chores and daily chores.

Read about fibromyalgia and pregnancy

Find out more about the condition, share your experiences and find out how other mothers have handled fibromyalgia and pregnancy.

Ask questions, do research and tell your story. You may be able to help others at the same time.

Choose a good obstetrician or midwife

These are the ones who will be with you throughout your pregnancy and will be able to give you good support. It is important that they are also open to working with your rheumatologist.

Exercise, fibromyalgia and pregnancy

Moderate exercise helps reduce stress and improve your quality of life. In the case of fibromyalgia and pregnancy, exercise will help strengthen your muscles, increase your flexibility and improve your mood.

Exercising also increases your serotonin levels, which will really make you feel better during pregnancy, especially if you suffer from fibromyalgia.