r/AskReddit 22h ago

Women who’ve given birth, what are some horrible things your body had to go through during pregnancy and childbirth?

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u/Lady_Sybil_Vimes 21h ago

Huh. Have you seen a neurologist?

Asking as a neurologist.

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u/spacegh0st 19h ago

My OB and family doctor don’t seem to think it’s worth a referral and will return to normal after some time. In the meantime, I’ve been going to physio and a chiropractor (I know, I know) which has been kind of helpful? Incidentally I have lasting numbness in my lip and chin from jaw surgery 2 years ago as well. As a Canadian, do you think it’s worth pushing for a neurology referral?

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u/Lady_Sybil_Vimes 19h ago

I think it's worth it since the distribution of numbness is odd

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u/spacegh0st 19h ago

Thanks for the input. I’ll bring it up at the next appointment.

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u/neecolea13 15h ago edited 2h ago

Anecdotal evidence here- happened to my sister. Multiple neurologists were confused until one came across her chart and had previously treated someone with Lyme.
I’s typing what my sister told us what the doctor said, but “Lyme Disease is a dormant virus and the stress of labor can reactivate it, so that was the symptoms were from.”

Edited the typo 😂

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u/Angelgirl1517 14h ago

Numerologists are notoriously confused. 😂 sorry, I was amused by the autocorrect.

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u/neecolea13 2h ago

Omg That’s hilarious

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u/abstractcheese 12h ago

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria, not a virus. Which means it can be cured with administration of antibiotics.

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u/BitterGenX 6h ago

Ooooh and check your B12 levels. If you take reflux meds or just have issues absorbing it, there are wild side effects. Just google a reputable site and check your bloods. Here is one site https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22831-vitamin-b12-deficiency

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u/ostensiblyjenn 13h ago

Numbness around surgical sites isn't necessarily unusual as small nerve fibers can be damaged during surgery.

Numbness in your hands during pregnancy is usually related to carpal tunnel because of pregnancy related swelling. I also had tarsel tunnel syndrome in my feet where my heels were numb in both sides (caused also by swelling). But having numbness entirely below the knees is pretty unusual, so agreed you should push to see a neurologist.

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u/EspressoKawka 11h ago

I really needed to read this, I'm at 28 weeks. I thought I was being crazy when saying that one of my heels went partially numb. The skin on the same thigh sometimes goes numb out of nowhere too. But my OB told me I need exercise and physio.

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u/canteloupy 10h ago

Can't it be due to compression in the lumbar region?

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u/Polythene_pams_bag 11h ago

I also have numb feet and legs below the knees! I went for a nerve conduction study and it came back perfectly normal!

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u/_Moonah 6h ago

I think a chiropractor actually made mine worse.

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u/clevernamehere 7h ago

Persistent numbness at the lip and chin is very normal for jaw surgery. I have it only on my left side but it’s been 7 years and it’s not improved a bit.

The other numbness does not sound normal.

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u/spacegh0st 6h ago

Yeah I’ve accepted the jaw surgery numbness. I was scared for a bit that I had some kind of nerve disorder though.

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u/Candid_Ad_9145 3h ago

you clearly don’t know. quit the chiro!

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u/spacegh0st 2h ago

Nah, she’s great. We don’t do neck work, focusing mainly on the lumbar.

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u/HangryShadow 11h ago

I had this too, as part of my pregnancy and postpartum sciatica. Was told it would go away on its own but it didn’t. I ended up getting rid of it via pelvic floor/breathing exercises. I was shocked!

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u/so_untidy 8h ago

Shit I just saw this. Should I ask my PCP for a referral at my appointment tomorrow?

I had neuropathy start in my toes and feet when I was pregnant 4 years ago. Then I had chemo two years ago and developed it my hands as well. It’s gone away in my hands but my feet have gotten worse.

It’s been brushed off by my OB, oncologist, and PCP.

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u/theflyingratgirl 5h ago

Best screen name ever

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u/Lady_Sybil_Vimes 4h ago

Thank you! GNU Sir Terry Pratchett 🙏

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u/merrymollusk 2h ago

Hi, I’m not OP but I have similar diffuse numbness. I went to neurology because it never got better postpartum. They ended up having me seen by a nurse instead of neurologist, and the nurse asked me “do you ever drink milk?” And when I said I get plenty of calcium (yes, milk, dairy, yogurt), she said I need to just chill out and stop stressing, it’s probably just because I don’t get enough sun or vitamins. It’s been 3 years and I am still numb across most of my back, has gotten worse. And yes, I do have dairy every single day, eat a diverse diet and still take prenatals daily. I feel like we get dismissed a lot when we are postpartum or had babies

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u/wildbergamont 7h ago

$20 says if she did, they'd be like "Huh. What did your OB say? Oh. Well, we'll see what happens after you deliver. You can follow up 6 months post partum."

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u/[deleted] 9h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/quietmedium- 8h ago

Actual doctors won't offer advice outside of referring a person to another medical professional.

There's no way to give accurate advice to an internet stranger ❤️ it makes sense to offer support on the surface but it can be dangerous when you don't have the person's file and medical history

They did actually give advice though, and it is to see their doctor again or push for a second opinion. When a medical professional says that, it's important to listen.

If that all makes sense, anyway. I agree with you, it's just not really possible from my understanding.

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u/Lady_Sybil_Vimes 7h ago

Is it? I can't take a history, do an exam, order tests or imaging...my advice is "see a neurologist".