Someone asked me to post about pregnancy and IC because there are two patients who
have relapsed into symptoms since giving birth. So, here it goes:
I cannot give out information on these people, but, I will hit some important points.
Health is dynamic, always moving/changing. Our job as alternative practitioners is to
restore healthy balance in the body. Balance helps the body be as healthy as it can
possibly be. This is why any holisitc practitioner teaches their views on diet and lifestyle
as he or she treats the patient he or she is working on.
In my case, I also try to help educate a person about environmental issues and how
to ask questions with his or her physician regarding choices in his pr her healthcare to avoid
the body becoming imbalanced again. There are certain choices that a person can make
that can imbalance the body.
Sometimes, after childbirth when the hormonal balance is itself erratic a person may
be more vulnerable than at other times--much like the immune system being weaker when
a person hasn't had enough sleep and has been under more stress.
In treating most kinds of chronic illness, and especially, IC, a person must do her best
to keep her body strong and in balance. Sometimes this is difficult-especially in situations
of pregnancy and post-partum. Some things I recommend is asking your doctor if he or she is open to you not having a catheter during delivery. Catheterizations have been correlated with biofilm infections (citations in my dissertation), and not having a catheterization removes this risk. Other kinds of medical intervention may not be possible. For example, if a woman tests positive for Strep B, she is given antibiotics either orally or IV during or before delivery. This is not something you want to pass on. So, yes, the antibiotic will tend to imbalance your body somewhat, but it is a necessary protocol for a healthy delivery. So, some things are avoidable and some things are not. This is where coordinating information between your MD and your holisitc practitioner is important in advance of pregnancy and in advance of delivery so you can make the appropriate and safest decisions.
However, of the patients that I have treated who had IC prior to pregnancy and became pregnant
in the late stages of treatment or after, I have only seen two relapse into symptoms of
any significance thus far in my practice.
I find the more challenging part of having IC and getting pregnant is the first three months of pregnancy as the hormones, especially the progesterone rise at a quick pace. And then, the later stages of pregnancy where yeast infections are generally a problem can be a bit extra
problematic in these women.
Whether pregnant or not, the goal is always to balance the body and create well-being. IC should not be a factor of fear in the consideration of having children, but, yes, certain details should be factored in and considered and discussed with all of your healthcare professionals.
Comments
i have heard of SO many
i have heard of SO many people going into 'remission' during/after pregnacy and staying symptom free for many, many years. i don't know the reasonings for that (matia, i'm sure, could elaborate on that one) but i think it just goes to show how the body is in constant flux...ya never know what turn your body/body's balance may take. all we can do is keep on and make the 'pit stops' (aka matia) when necessary.
I am one of these patients...
I'm glad that Matia posted this so that everyone can be aware of being prepared for childbirth(and pregnancy) by protecting your bladder as best you can ...
...and...I hope I didn't scare anyone away from pregnancy! My first pregnancy I also had a catheter, and basically the same routine (Ibuprofen, lots of it after birth), but did not relapse into symptoms. It may be that this is the second pregnancy in less than 2 years, so the combination of it all wore down my body, not to mention the fancy coffee beverages and sugar that I consumed to 'treat' myself through the hard work of child-rearing. In a way, I'm sort of glad I'm back. I'm learning so much more this time that taking care of my body is ONGOING, that I can't expect to just have quick fixes to my ailments, and then go on treating my body as if it's invincible. I'm vowing this time to STAY with Matia ongoing as a preventative solution as well, to maintain good health through out the rest of my life, so that I can really enjoy life and be strong and healthy for myself and my children.
Camille
Thank you so much for sharing and being honest about the sugar! it is so important so people don't get frightened into thinking things happen for no reason. The body will be more susceptible to becoming imbalanced when the diet contains sugar and chemicals in it! And, one catheterization to the next, there can be a big difference-so also a big consideration.Lastly, sometimes when symptoms come up of urinary problems, the treatment is not correct, and this, in someone with IC, or someone in pre-IC stages can trigger onset.All that said, although I am not glad youa re having problems, I am glad you are back too -I missed you!
I am the second patient
I can really relate to what Camille is saying: the second time around I am learning so much more. I've known Matia for 5 years, she is really the reason I could have a healthy child or get pregnant at all. I am only JUST NOW learning how to eat balanced meals and take care of myself properly. And even though I forbade my gyno to use a catheter on me, unless it was an absolute emergency (luckily, there wasn't) and no lubricant of any kind, and I took no meds postpartum at all, but during my pregnancy and shortly after, I was overloding on fruits, eating 4 lbs (!!!) of cherries at a time, or 5 agave sweetened muffins (even though I ate only homemade food). I thought that as long as I ate no refined sugar I'll be OK. Wrong! And even though I didn't eat sushi during pregnancy, I ate LOTS AND LOTS right before. And also, I am afraid I really overdone it with breastfeeding: my baby wouldn't eat anything but breast for 10 months, just refused, and since we cosleep, she was sucking on my breast practically all night for many, many months. I understand that dehydrated me immensely. May be Matia can pour a little more light on the breastfeeding subject.
Natasha.
Alternative childbirth options
Matia ~ I appreciate your writing on this topic. All you've said here begs another question: Given that meds/ interventions are often pushed if not unavoidable when with OBs and hospitals, what are your views on alternative childbirth options like midwives and homebirth?... to try to avoid the many meds/interventions that plenty of midwifery advocates give strong evidence (in my limited opinion) for being often unnecessary or risky. Thank you.
Alternative childrbirth
I think the most important thing is finding an OB that supports your thinking patterns. Here in LA of course we have midwifves that work with OBs in the home and in the hospitals, but in most places around the country things are not so progressive. Finding someone who supports what you want, how you want it to be, and so forth and making decisions that are safe for you and the baby from all perspectives is the goal. Over the years I have seen it go lots of different ways. Interviewing different OBs as soon as or even before getting preganat is a good idea. Also, going to the hospital that that OB is affiliated with and seeing what their policies are is important. Because certain things that they do may not be what you want. LAstly finding a pediatrician prior to all of this is also important bc he also needs to participate when the child is born. I know that sounds crazy, but you need all of these people to be aligned with one another and with you!
Alternative childrbirth
I think the most important thing is finding an OB that supports your thinking patterns. Here in LA of course we have midwifves that work with OBs in the home and in the hospitals, but in most places around the country things are not so progressive. Finding someone who supports what you want, how you want it to be, and so forth and making decisions that are safe for you and the baby from all perspectives is the goal. Over the years I have seen it go lots of different ways. Interviewing different OBs as soon as or even before getting preganat is a good idea. Also, going to the hospital that that OB is affiliated with and seeing what their policies are is important. Because certain things that they do may not be what you want. LAstly finding a pediatrician prior to all of this is also important bc he also needs to participate when the child is born. I know that sounds crazy, but you need all of these people to be aligned with one another and with you!
Midwifery
It is funny bc f course, although I embrace both sides of medicine, western and alternative, my practice is alternative based. But, when it comes to childrbirth, I think having a home birth presents risks one might not want to take. On the other hand, I have associates who believe the opposite! I think that is only a decision that you can make in conjunction with your partern, OB, and all other pertinent medical practitioners.
great topic
THis is a great topic, I will try to limit myself to two questions but it will be hard, lol!First, I have that Strep B. Is Strep B a part of IC symptoms, causes or issues?Secondly, what would a pregnant woman eat or take nutrition wise who has battled IC in the past or present? I fear my child not getting proper nutrition in the womb if I ever got pregnanticnot4me
During my pregnancy (and I
During my pregnancy (and I had a realtively easy one, without any complications) I only took 2 things: probiotics and Floravital, because I have a tendency to be anemic. Ate tons of fruits and vegetables, meat, nuts, grains, etc. And even though now I am suffering the consequences of eating unbalanced meals (fruits instead of dinner), my baby never ever showed any signs of defficiency (even though there wre NO PRENATAL VITAMINS OF ANY KIND for me). So if you follow Matia's guide lines, I am absolutely sure everything will turn out great. Also, I should say that so far, the most obvious benefit for my baby is that she never, ever showed any type of allergic reaction, no rashes, hives, newborn acne, none of that!!! And that is, I understand, because she had no refined sugar in her system, since the day she was conceived.Strep B is not a part of IC, I don't remember exactly, but I think my gyno said that 70 to 80 % of pregnant women have that.
Strep B
Strep B is one of many different organisms that lives in the vaginal environment, but each of those bacteria can become overgrown and present problems. IN delivery Strep B overgrowth can cause blindness- so they like to test and treat if this is the case. I think this is a situation in which one must absolutely do what their OB says!
How much sweet things should one eat per day?
Dr. Brizman, Natasha bought up an excellent point. I am taking my entire family off of sugar and was not sure how many seet things are recommended per day. For example, I had been thinking of letting my kids have one agave sweetend treat a day like ice cream. Now I am not sure. What do you think?
NO sugar for kids
I think encouraging your children to have naturally sweetened goodies is a great step toward imprinvg their health. However, you also don't want to make a child feel different and isolated. Thus, I think it is wise to split the difference and make rules! So, for example, if you have the rule that at home you have all natural goodies and goodies you give to your kids out of the home as well. But, when in a social setting--the park or birthday parites when other children are around you let them have what all the other kids are having. It is so important to not create closet eaters!Also, at the same time, when in those social settings, if there are choices, then help them make the best choice. As in, if the food is blue, maybe explain how food coloring causes brain damage and ask them if they want to have brain damage and not be as smart as they can be. I have seen lots of kids start developing what looks like prebulemic type behaviour when their moms withhelp everything. So, be careful not to be too extreme!
good advice
Matia, thank you for this advice as this is a area I have been struggling with. Lately my kids have been going to a lot of birthday parties and sleepovers and thus have been eating A LOT of sugar. I get concerned that all good that we've been doing at home gets undone with all this sugar. I do throw out all that junky candy that comes home in the goodie bags. But you're right that if I make sugar a forbidden item it will probably cause issues as they get older. I will try to focus on helping them make good choices and not freaking out when they eat a not so great choice. Carol
IC and pregnancy
Well these emails have given me some hope and support i desperately needed. I am not yet a patient of Dr M, but will be seeing her for the first time in 2 weeks. I had gotten my IC symptoms down to ovulation and pre period and thought perhaps this will be as good as it gets, and we started trying for a baby, and hey presto, it happened. I'm just at the end of the first trimester and it has been pretty difficult, not debilitating, but definetly it has been affecting my life on a daily basis and i have had to re-structure many things. I am hoping after the first trimester things may settle a bit, wit the hormones.
I would love to hear from anyone who has been pregnant with Ic symptoms and what i am really interested in is delivery. i am currently scared that i may not be able to birth my baby naturally, because of the pressure on my bladder and urethra, at the moment i can't even have sex without a flare up for a couple of days after. If anyone has any info they would like to share, i would be ever so grateful to hear it.
Anny
I recently posted a question
I recently posted a question on the patient blog and was referred here. Is there anyone who has been treated by the Brizmans that have had an enjoyable pregnancy and not relapsed after childbirth? If you wouldn't mind sharing your experiences I would really appreciate it.
Thanks!