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Posted 4/8/2014 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
My daughter and her husband have stopped using birth control and are so ready to have a baby, and though no problems are anticipated, I'm privately worried. She's has pretty bad Reynaud's, has had a positive ANA but doesn't know numbers etc., and has lost weight. The weight loss could be explained by her busy schedule since she finishes grad school in a few weeks and is working on her thesis, plus she works full time and does photo shoots when she's not studying or working. But she has a healthy diet and works out. She has no joint pain, isn't bothered by the sun, and has always been very heathy. And she's tough as nails.

My lupus didn't develop till later in life, nor did my mom's. And don't we always tell people that a positive ANA doesn't mean lupus. Sarah and I are exceptionally close & I just adore her and pray she'll conceive & carry as easily as I did. She nicknamed me Fertile Myrtle, and my mother-in-law will tell anyone who will listen that I could have populated the earth. So fingers crossed.

My question is about autoimmune disorders and pregnancy. I have asked her to tell her OB her family history of lupus.

Feel free to tell me I'm overreacting! They impulsively rescued their second puppy yesterday which is probably a sure sign she's pregnant.
Posted 4/8/2014 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
If she's not experincing 4 of the 11 indicators of lupus then she just needs to watch and wait.
She probably needs to warn the ob and wait for the little one to come along. ;-)
Posted 4/8/2014 6:04 AM (GMT 0)
I feel for you. My daughter gave birth to our first grandchild 4 mos. ago. I held my breath through most of her pregnancy. She finally had some AI testing after failing to conceive after 5 years of trying and surgery to correct some serious endometriosis. She did not have a +ANA, but she did have a false positive syphilus (sp?) test, which can be an indicator for lupus, and a borderline antiphospholipid result. She has a history from childhood on of symptoms and problems that line up with AI issues, especially lupus - but she never had a workup done until the fertility specialist got involved. I just didn't know much about AI disorders until I developed a recognizable one myself well into my 40s.

Try to relax and rejoice if she is pregnant. It sounds like she is healthy, happy and active. That said, I tend to think that a positive ANA and family history is worth a mention to the OB. Knowledge is helpful - fear is usually not. Best of luck!!!

Lucy
Posted 4/9/2014 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Patty:

Sweetie, I sure hope to hear soon that you'll be a Grandma soon. I know that will bring wonderful joy to you and your family. It sounds like your daughter is pretty healthy and doing well, I think maybe you're worrying a bit to much right now. I think she'll do just fine, should she mention the family history, you bet but other than that I don't think you should worry so.

On a side note, when I got pregnant I wasn't officially DX with Lupus yet. My OB was aware that the Internal Med Dr was looking into it. They ordered a special genetic ultra sound for me, (back in 1992) because I was adopted and had no family history. We were aware I had a heart issue.

I can tell you other than a serious kidney infection at 12 weeks, my pregnancy was smooth sailing. No morning sickness, nothing I felt the best I ever felt. Delivery, however, was much harder than they expected, had heart issues, failed to dilate past 1cm after 36 hours of hard labor, profuse vomiting, etc. Ended up with emergency C-section. It still took my Dr's 8 more years before they realized exactly what I had and how sick I truly was.

I'm gonna guess, that your daughter will be just fine. If you have any questions, ask away. You're welcome to call me anytime. I hope that things are going well and you're feeling good.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 4/9/2014 6:49 AM (GMT 0)
It's good to hear from you Barb. I didn't know you had ben sick for so long.

I know I'm overly concerned and I think that's why I posted here - just to get it out.

What's realy bothering me is that my BFF for the past 50 some years has terminal aggressive lung cancer even though she has never smoked, and fibrosis in her lungs from scleroderma and I'm just watching her go downhill. At least she's finally getting married, though they have to go to DC to get it done. And we live across the country from each other. It's a tough time. But she has an incredible attitude so I can too!

What's going on in your neck of the woods, besides being so sick! I'll give you a call this week & we'll catch u.
Posted 4/9/2014 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
Patty it sounds as though your daughter is pretty amazing and quite strong. What is our job as mothers if we don't worry about our kids?! It's just because we love them so!

I had some unexplained complications with delivering my son, long story short, he was two weeks late and only 5 lbs, 12 oz. He spent a week in an incubator but you wouldn't know it now! He is at 14 yrs old almost 6 feet tall and solid as a brick house and in the gifted program at school! I had raynauds back then but no other suspected autoimmune disease and I took very good care of us both when I carried him.

Personally I think that autoimmune disease can effect a pregnancy if it is active but in a strong, young and healthy woman like your daughter sounds to be would not be an issue so much. Her healthy lifestyle and informing her ob/gyn is likely all that is needed to produce a healthy and beautiful grandchild.

It's so exciting too!! Gosh I love babies! I used to foster babies and my daughter is adopted. She came to us at 23 hrs old and I just never let her go! I was so blessed to be able to adopt her :)

She was born exposed and addicted to drugs. Today she is 11 yrs old and as tall as me, beautiful beyond words and smart, funny... well you just wouldn't even know the tough time she had by looking at her now!

Babies can be so resilient and strong, much stronger than we tend to give them credit for as they look so helpless and tiny. I've witnessed it personally with my own and the babies I fostered, so don't you worry!

I can't wait to hear the happy news :D

I'm also very sorry about your friend. Are you planning to see her soon?
Posted 4/10/2014 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, Acquiese, in a month. I want to visit her this weekend because a good size group of our mutual friends are driving over to see her from Miami dor Sunday Brunch, but in May we'll have lots of time together.

I love babies too! And I'll never have enough grandchildren! Ours are 15, 13, 4 & 2. And my son & DIL, who are parents of the 2 & 4 yr old have started the adoption process. So I'll have another grandson one of these days.

The thought of your daughter having been born addicted makes me sick to my stomach. Just today we got the autopsy and tox report for my husband's youngest son who died suddenly 4 mo ago at age 30, and as we suspected, it was a drug overdose. It also showed cirrhosis and congestive heart failure. He was 30 and his body was already shot. Young kids don't understand. You're an angel for giving your daughter a safe home.
Posted 4/10/2014 10:58 AM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you will get a chance to see your friend soon, it's unfortunate that you will miss this Sunday brunch though. Oh to have a private jet and oodles of free time! lol

I so look forward to eventually having grandkids, I hope at least one or two of my kids will have children. There's 4 so my chances are pretty good!! It's wonderful that you have even more grandchildren to look forward to. Adoption is a beautiful thing, good for them!

It's kind of weird, after I had my son and had adopted my daughter I found out that I had endometriosis and I never did get pregnant again. I found that out after I adopted. It was like she was sent straight from heaven. :) she's the angel!

Yes, it makes me feel sick too and she did suffer for a few months with withdrawal. She didn't talk until she was 3 and she had some serious behavioral stuff going on until she was about 8. But honest to goodness she is doing just amazingly. No residual effects now at all.

It is so sad what addiction can do. Her mother had 4 other children, all adopted as far as I know.

Drugs have taken far too many souls and far too early :( my sincere sympathy
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