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Post by orchidlily2222 on Aug 31, 2010 23:14:58 GMT -5
This may be a very cart before the horse situation...well, it is ...but I am in the process of beginning to try to get pregnant and still not sure of the fertility capacity or beyond (endo on fallopian tube causing scarring I am told might lead to tubal pregnancy) but I am curious ...as i conceptualize the idea of pregnancy and beyond: I have heard that someone with severe endo (I have stage 3 endo which was on my bladder, uterus, and pretty much all over when they went in two years ago after a decade plus of excruciating pain) and at least three cyst ruptures (the others they couldn't say for certain were ruptures) and many nights sick from --to not be too gross--from every orifice from the pain...I actually co-opted lamaze breathing for the pain after pain modification experimentation which worked pretty well . I am wondering, again cart before horse, what the differential is for people between labor pains and endo pains. I have been told from endo sufferers before that they are comparable and from some even that cyst rupturing-s have been worse that their subsequent labor pains. It is sort of an urban myth of sorts that I am chasing. Are, in anyone's experience, in fact,labor pains comparable or LESS severe than a really bad cyst rupture or a bad cycle that might last all month? Just wondering in terms of what other experience might be...those that have experienced both sever endo, multiple or singular cystic rupture, and labor ....what is comparable or not? I know pain is subjective but I guess I am interested in a little subjectivity weighing in . I am hoping that pregnancy is not out of my future and not sure what my body will or will not do...isn't that life with endo anyway ...but I am just wondering if this urban endo myth has any substantial experiential proof or if I am just grabbing at theoretical straws ...for my theoretically viable uterus and theoretical natural birth ! Thanks for any input! As I am mustering my way through a phenomenally awful period in which I (to not be too graphic--well maybe) just shat myself from cramping (thats only happened three times and luckily all at home) I guess I am hoping all of this pain has been preparation, and two endo surgeries thus far, has prepared me for something greater than myself that I might be more prepared for than your average, non-shat-myself, "regular" gal. Hmmm, when I say it, it all sounds quite sad . But witty ...in the pathetic-ness of it all . Teresa
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Post by omaklackey on Aug 31, 2010 23:51:46 GMT -5
Having had three kids... I figure I'd better try and answer this question. Yes you can get pregnant with Endo and yes I'm sure you want to know what the pain is like. If you have good strong consistent labor its manageable and no worse then the cyst bursting (which I've had) probably about the same but there is an end that you can look forward to, so it makes it a lot more bearable, I mean what is the end in the pain of the cursed monthly cycle except that you get to do it again? I strongly advise going to a natural birthing class, even if you only take away what you want from it, the exercises in focus are really worth while to manage the pain. (works still when I remember to use them ) AND the coolest thing I can tell you is when the pain is the absolute worse and you think you can't go any longer, that's what is known as "Transition" and the good news? It also means your almost over the worst of it. So... I hope that was helpful. I think for most of us used to living with the kind of pain we do, well... its not easy but it can be done. Feel free to ask questions, believe me before I got pregnant I went nuts collecting information on everything I could! And I haven' t read it but the book that many recommend is by Toni Wexler (sp) would be a good idea if your struggling TTC.
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Post by JC on Sept 1, 2010 5:57:56 GMT -5
I have also heard that women with endo usually have relief from their symptoms during their pregnancy. Can't say it won't come back after, but any reprieve from all this is more than welcome!
I've never had a child but I have also wondered if the pain "contractions" I have felt are comparable to labor.
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Post by orchidlily2222 on Sept 1, 2010 10:15:31 GMT -5
Thanks so much for both of your input! Omaklackey: I appreciate your insight from a mother's point of view a lot! And thank you for the book recommendation. I have heard this urban legend of endo pain vs labor pains and I just wanted to get some insight from those that have been both places. I am definitely one of those people who collects information about every angle of something before or as I do it . I am in a pre-conception phase where (as my pain has been getting worse--always does every year after a surgery) I am trying to get more strict with my diet and add back a lot of yoga and acupuncture to my life and regimen to best prep my body to be a good and healthy space to hold a baby ....hopefully upping my chances of conception in doing so. I will definitely be back with more questions as the process moves forward! I am looking into hypnobirthing and natural childbirth techniques already...that would be my hope to go that route...as you said with all the pain we have been through in our life I would like to know that perhaps at least I was prepared to do this journey naturally...one that, as you also say, actually has a happy ending! There was definitely nothing satisfactory about "birthing" my cysts when they ruptured after 12 hours in "labor"...besides the pain ending ! Jenaya: I, too, have heard that the endo pain subsides during pregnancy...I guess it has to with your menstrual cycle on hiatus for so many months...that would definitely be a wonderful bonus! Yeah, it is definitely a gamble if it comes back but I would take a 9 month reprieve if I could have one ! Teresa
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Post by Karen on Sept 1, 2010 12:30:30 GMT -5
Yes, do read TCYOF if you're even thinking about getting preggers, especially if you like to know the ins and outs of everything! As for a rest from the pain during pregnancy, it's due to high levels of progesterone. Since endo fuels off of estrogen, and progesterone is dominant during pregnancy, voila! Best wishes in the pre-planning phases, and I hope you're at least enjoying the 'practicing'!
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Post by pretty on Sept 1, 2010 12:44:22 GMT -5
Teresa - meeeee toooo! that's the kind of reprieve I'm talking about. My surgery is planned for October 15th.... really hoping it will help me have a chance to have a little guy or girl afterward. Pretty sure I can handle pregnancy and labor. Just want a chance. Will adopt if it doesn't work! AAAAAAHHHH just went to a funeral in anchorage with hubby's enormous family, there are so many kids in the fam, just keep thinking about the one I wanna have! I would love to have one, and adopt one too.... anyhow, I'm right there with you, nice to see you. welcome to the board! baby! baby!! Babyyyyyy!!!!! (Im a little nuts, real busy day!
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Post by omaklackey on Sept 1, 2010 13:02:44 GMT -5
Thanks Karen, I couldn't remember the name of the book, only the author! more menopause brain I think! Taking charge of your fertility by Toni Wexler.
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Post by lizzylou on Sept 2, 2010 7:22:24 GMT -5
For everyone wondering, I'd say a ruptured ovarian cyst is VERY comparable to labor. Although all our endo/cyst pain is different, all labor is also different. I remember right after having my son, I said "that wasn't as bad as i thought it would be", I had myself prepped for SOOO much worse than I thought it turned out. I personally handle terrible pain much worse than just a little pain. I'll whine about a papercut for days but migraines, cysts, and endo I just kind of deal with internally.
Labor is a bit difference because at the end when the pain is the worst, pushing actually feels good, it's a big relief almost.
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Post by belleryan on Oct 24, 2010 5:29:00 GMT -5
on the whole Labour Pains Vs Endo Pains I thought you all might find this interesting. when I was expecting my first child he was prosterior and so the contractions were irregular and never actually became regular thoughout the whole ordeal. I described my contractions as being the same as my period pain (I have only been diagnosed with endo recently.) So the midwives said I wasn't in labour as I was only having braxton hicks (which they weren't as they never got any worse and didn't know that you needed pethadine to handle braxton hicks) so left me in first stage labour for 3 days . I now know after 5 children (all prosterior btw) that that is as bad as contractions get for me and I can't progress from first stage without having the waters broken for me. I recently told my doctor about my period pain being as the same as Labour pain except they give me gas to manage that pain.
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Post by JC on Oct 26, 2010 11:08:38 GMT -5
WOW that's crazy! I am not surprised though. The pain can get pretty freakin bad!!!
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Post by glasscastle99 on Oct 28, 2010 15:22:40 GMT -5
I had my son at home with a midwife and the pain was comparable to the endo pain, but it was more intense and lasted FOREVER (36 hours of labor), but the above poster is correct. Right when you think you can't take anymore, that is when it usually time to push and voila! There is a reward for all of it!
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Post by rhodygirl on Nov 11, 2010 15:14:48 GMT -5
I am still waiting for my lap to definitely diagnose me with endo, but I can attest to the fact that my labor was not nearly as painful as the pain I have now. And, I didn't have any type of drugs during my delivery. I tried to chicken out towards the end and asked for the epidural and it was too late...so I did the whole thing naturally and the pains I have during my period and ovulation are WAY worse!
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Post by Karen on Nov 11, 2010 18:08:51 GMT -5
I haven't had any children but my sister recently did. Bless her heart, she told me that she thought of me when she was having contractions and imagined that's how I felt about once a month. She doesn't have endo, but it was kind of nice that she could relate in a way!
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Post by omaklackey on Nov 11, 2010 20:53:55 GMT -5
I still say the pain from Endo is worse just because at least the pain from a child has a nice resolution. What resolution is there to Endo except more pain next time. oh, and the pain of childbirth ends! When does Endo ever end?
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Post by jellybean on Dec 27, 2010 10:01:35 GMT -5
Because the hospital likes to check people out as quickly as possible, I was coerced into accepting an induction when my contractions were not considered strong enough to do the job. I admit it felt like minor endo pain before the induction, but after was absolutely dreadful. I can only describe it as my entire body violently and uncontrollably spasming. I was never so scared in my life. I could have even handled the pain if I didn't lose all control like that. I gripped the bed rail as tightly as I could, worried that something or everything would rupture inside me, killing us both in the process. To make matters worse, I couldn't even go to the bathroom quickly without at least two contractions, they were coming so fast. I grew so tired that the moment one was over, I would pass out until the next would start. My mother knew what real labor was like and said that was absolutely nothing like it. I wish I could compare a natural birth and endo, but I will at least tell you that induction was the worst experience I have ever had in my life and I wouldn't wish it on an enemy. My endo has been known to be debilitating, but I'll take it over another birth like that.
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