Fibromyalgia and Pregnancy Research Note
By Reader's Digest Editors
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Every year, thousands of women with fibromyalgia have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. It’s good to know that this chronic pain condition doesn’t endanger moms-to-be or their growing babies. But coping with muscle aches and stiffness, fatigue and sleep problems present new challenges. You won’t be able to take the medications used most for fibromyalgia because they’re not considered safe during pregnancy; experts recommend stopping them before you start trying to conceive. Second, research suggests symptoms may grow worse during the first three months of pregnancy. Fortunately, safe strategies can help now and can continue to help you cope after your baby is born.
Fast Facts:- In one Norwegian study, pregnant women with fibromyalgia reported their symptoms stayed the same in second and third pregnancies—they didn’t get any worse.
- If you’re tired and ache-y, be sure to rest for up to a half-hour two to three times a day. Take a warm shower or bath to ease tender point pain.
- Gentle stretching exercises, a healthy diet and stress reduction techniques like muscle relaxation and meditation can help you feel better.
- Ask your doctor if it’s OK to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for occasional pain during your pregnancy.
- Line up help for the days and weeks after your baby is born, suggest moms with fibromyalgia. If you’re breastfeeding, fibromyalgia drugs are still off-limits.
Connection: Fibromyalgia and Pregnancy - WEGO Health
community.wegohealth.com — “With all of the risks associated with a healthy pregnancy, many women aren't eager to know about another health concern associated with pregnancy. At the same time, having resources and information is integral to taking the best care of your body and your baby. I've noticed that women in my community don't talk about the connection that can exist between Fibromyalgia and pregnancy. I wanted to bring it up and see if other Health Activists find this missing as well. When this happened to me I had” View full resource at community.wegohealth.com
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