In the end, I decided to go with the recommendation of my kidney specialist.
As it turned out, this got me in over a month earlier, so I was feeling pretty
good about that decision!
Tim and I both went in to meet Dr H together. She had more SCI knowledge
than I expected, which I felt was a good start. She spoke to me about the
basics, such as the fact my body's going to get bigger and change shape,
transfers will become more difficult and I may find I need help from a physio
or OT.
One of the things she thinks will be an issue is firstly, if I will realise
when I've gone into labour and secondly managing the pain to I don't get
autonomic dysreflexia. So far most of my reading (the little I've been able to
find) has suggested that I would be induced about two weeks before the baby is
due. She is suggesting that they may simply admit me to hospital for the last
few weeks, so they can monitor me. From my work in a previous life
(thoroughbred stud) I know that inducing is something usually avoided, as the
body hasn't gone through all the usual preparations if you induce, but that
doesn't mean it's not a possibility still. She confirmed that, all going well,
a vaginal birth is definitely possible, though I may need forceps or vacuum to
assist. Well Mum needed forceps for me and there was nothing wrong with her
ability to push, so if I need help I don't think that's
unreasonable!
Dr H also wants me to see an anaesthetist before I get pregnant, so we know
what's going on and what to expect. (And probably so the anaesthetist can work
out what they are doing)! While I can't feel the pain in the way I would have
if I didn't have my SCI, it's still going to be painful to my body. For those
of you who don't know what autonomic dysreflexia is, it's basically just my
bodys reaction to pain or discomfort. I can feel it's hurting, so my body tells
me in other ways. There are several different symptoms of dysreflexia, but the
particularly dangerous one is the increasing blood pressure, hence the need for
pain relief for an area I can't feel!
Another thing we discussed was my medications. I'm currently on Ditropan,
which is fine, but Baclofen is a B3 drug and studies in rats have shown foetal
abnormalities. She's going to get onto a group in Melbourne who specialise is
pregnancy friendly drugs and see if we can find an alternative. In the
meantime, I'm cutting my tablets back by half, to reduce the risk and see how
my body copes on the lesser dose.
She's not worried about my kidney disease causing any trouble, since my
kidneys are still functioning normally. If they weren't, I would be at
increased risk of preeclampsia. She also sent me off for a blood test to test
for rubella, measles etc. THis is a test they usually do when you first become pregnant, but this way if I need any vaccines, they can be updated before I get pregnant.
Dr H spoke primarily to me throughout (I know, the OB should always be
speaking to the woman, but that doesn't always happen when you're in a chair),
but she did make sure she checked in with Tim and asked if he had any
questions. I have a good feeling about her.
I eventually got through to the Austin Hospital spinal outpatients clinic a
few weeks ago. I have made contact with the lady in charge and she is more than
happy to help me out. She also had me pass her number onto Dr H, so she can
help her, or point her to those who can. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable
about the whole situation now. As Dr H said, and complication or difficulties I
experience are going to be SCI related (or complicated by my SCI) so I'm happy
to know there are some experts only a phone call away!
Cutting out sugar doesn't seem to have made a difference really to my post
pranial hypotension, but I have been able to manage it for the most part by
eating small and often. Just getting in practice for when I am pregnant I
guess. While I've not been drinking lately, I can't say I've been doing well at
quitting soft cheese.
While I know this is still very early days, I have found myself being a
little, how should I put this... obsessive. Logically, I know this will take
time, but that doesn't chance the way I feel about it. I have readjusted my
expectations, having spoken to different family members and friends. While it
might only take me a month to get my pill out of my system, it could still take
months for my cycle to settle down and for all the stars to line up. Even
knowing this, I've found myself contently trying to calculate when I'll be
ovulating. I've even done ovulation testing, not that that showed me anything.
I have read some women won't ovulate every month, although with only one months
data to go on, I could just be tested at entirely the wrong time!
I think that's probably me caught up for now!
