Happy pregnancy

[songbird]

I haven't posted here in a long time, but I thought the boards and those who read them might be able to use some encouraging news. I was diagnosed with SLE in July of 2003. It was CNS lupus, severe enough to merit intervention with Cytoxan. The docs told me Cytoxan treatment would make me sterile. I didn't have a choice. I went through 2 years of a 3 year course of treatment. I was 22 at the time of diagnosis.

In September of 2005, I found out I was pregnant. I was 13 weeks along, had been complaining to my rheumy of back pain, which he was sure was a fracture or something else lupus related. He ran MRIs, xrays and cat scans and found nothing. Finally, he sent me to my gyn to check out what he thought were fibroids. On ultrasound, the "fibroids" waved at me!

I was overjoyed. Absolutely over the moon. I'd always wanted to be a mother. No one told me that Prednisone decreases the effectiveness of the pill, and the rheumy had raised my dose in response to the back pain. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

On March 8, 2006, I gave birth by emergency c-section. (The cord was wrapped around baby's neck.) I was induced at exactly 37 weeks, in the hope of preventing further lupus complications. Baby weighed 8 pounds 5.3 ounces. His name is Paul Alexander, and we are both home now. There's some danger my lupus will flare now that I'm not pregnant. In fact, I am waiting out some nasty joint pain just now tp see if it calms down before calling rheumy.

But, I wanted to encourage all the ladies with hopes of motherhood. Success stories can happen. I am typing with one hand, holding my precious boy. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Clare.T]

This is absolutely wonderful ! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cloud9.gif Congratulations, gosh he's a big'un style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/highfive.gif
I suggest you get in touch with the rheumy - don't wait - some Pred might be a jolly good idea and also starting on Plaquenil as safeguard.

I feel all warm and fuzzy ! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

Clare

[watslove]

Oh!congratulations!
I wish I can have a baby as well. Unfortunately at the moment I can't. I don't know when.

[Christine UK]

<span style="font-family:Comic Sans Ms"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">How wonderful! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cloud9.gif </span></span>

[Lily]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/goodvibes.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/woohoo.gif

What wonderful news you bring! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif congratulations and a big welcome to Paul Alexander style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/woohoo.gif

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbs-up.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wiggle.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/jump.gif

Do ring the Rheumy before your pain gets worse and things escalate more, he can nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand.

((((((songbird))))))))) Thanks for bringing such good news style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bigsmile.gif

love
Lily

[bugsy]

<span style="color:#3333FF"><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans Ms">Congratulations</span></span></span>

[debralee]

<span style="color:#3366FF"><span style="font-family:Courier New"><span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">((((((((((((((((((((Songbird)))))))))))))))))))) style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

What wonderful news this is!!!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/woohoo.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/woohoo.gif CONGRATULATIONS!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/woohoo.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/woohoo.gif

A BIG WELCOME TO Paul Alexander!!!!!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cloud9.gif </span></span>
<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Do call the Rhuemy now ........ waiting my not be the best thing for ouy.

God Bless ouy both,
Deb</span>
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif </span>

[specialk16]

SongBird,

I had been wondering about you and your pregnancy. Welcome to the world Paul Alexander. Congratulations to you my dear. Take care and rest up, and get ready for the ride of your life... children are wonderful!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[cath]

<span style="font-family:Comic Sans Ms"><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#000099">Wow - Congratulations and well done!

X C X</span></span></span>

[macfamily53]

That is so awesome songbird. congradualtions to both of you and that is a big a baby. I had one of those to lol. I am so happy for you really and others to that there is hope that they can have them to. Kids are so awesome really. Take care and rest when you can you will need it. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif


Tammy

[Melody2]

Songbird,

Congratulations, that is so wonderful! I am just waiting for the ok to try for a baby myself, so it is encouraging to hear your sucess story. I have CNS lupus as well, but am in a really healthy stage right now. I just want to ask a few questions regarding my anti-cardiolipin antibodies then I think I'm ready to try. Family is so important to me, and though I'm scared out of my wits about pregnancy, it's nice to know that despite everything sometimes things can turn out well. I wish you, Paul Alexander, and the rest of your family a happy, joyous life together as a family.

Melody style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clover.gif

[flowergarden]

Songbird, I've been praying so hard for the three of you! It's good to hear the good stories, so I'm glad you posted, too. Sometimes it seems like we focus on the negative aspects of our diseases (myself included), and we miss the hopeful.

So, a huge <span style="font-family:Arial Black"><span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%"> <span style="color:#3366FF">CONGRATULATIONS!</span> </span></span> style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

[jm_jazzy]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif

Wow wonderful special news. Glad to hear you a successful pregnancy.

I hope Paul brings you loads of joy.

Love

Jodie

[Luscinda]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif Congratulations, Songbird!!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif And a big welcome to Paul Alexander style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif for sharing this with us, I?m so happy when I hear cases like yours.

Big hug,

Luscinda

[Pickles]

[color=#3366FF]CONGRATS SONGBIRD and WELCOME to little Paul Alexander... I know you are very happy now that he is here.

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cloud9.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/jump.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/jump.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/jump.gif : style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif