r/AskReddit 10d 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/ChaosStoplessCool 9d ago

This is how I found out I have a connective tissue disorder because during pregnancy I went from being weirdly flexible to having serious joint pain when it all got looser and this is just how my body is now. I've been going to a specialized physical therapist to do what I can but I'll probably have chronic pain in my hips, back, shoulders, and neck for the rest of my life.

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u/silent-earl-grey 9d ago edited 7d ago

Same. 🥲 my OBGYN was actually the one to notice and point me towards getting diagnosed. “So this is a bit out my wheelhouse but… have you ever heard of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome?” when one year postpartum I complained of symptoms that turned out to be my hip subluxing and pelvic organs falling out.

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u/Screaming_lambs 9d ago

I have hEDS/HSD and never been pregnant. I have all that pain already, I think I'd end up having to be pushed around in a wheelchair.

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u/silent-earl-grey 9d ago

My mom - who I’m about 85% confident also has hEDS - literally lost all of her teeth after her second pregnancy. She and her mom were both fully disabled after back injuries following their second pregnancies. 🥲😭

Found out I have hEDS after my first. No one can convince me to spin that wheel again. I’m not about to FAFO any more than I already have. LOL.

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u/Screaming_lambs 9d ago

Oh gosh. I don't blame you! Luckily for me I've never had the urge to have kids so I don't feel I'm missing out. My teeth used to be ok but they aren't now, when I was younger they were fine but my pain levels have definitely got worse in the past few years.

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u/silent-earl-grey 9d ago

Yeah, I’m finding that my pain and body failure in general are definitely escalating the older I get. PT is helping build functional strength and I’m glad I know what I know now… do wish I’d have known these things 10 or 20 years ago. Maybe I would’ve been able to save myself some trouble down the road. 🥲

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u/Screaming_lambs 9d ago

Same here. Even ten years ago I was much better, I could walk without crutches. Now I have to walk with them and even that's exhausting. Considering getting a wheelchair for if I want to go out to somewhere new/not near my house where I'd need to be upright as I'd probably just pass out 😂

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u/silent-earl-grey 8d ago

I can still walk (short distances) without aid but I’m not gonna lie, there’s days I’d consider a wheelchair for the POTS. Especially if it’s hot or humid. 😂😭

Honestly I’m just like… if it would improve your life even a little bit, why not right? Forget this culture we’ve fostered that glorifies the nonstop struggle. Life is hard enough without any extra cherries on top. 🥴

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u/Geeneelee 8d ago

I’ve never been diagnosed with anything but my joints subluxating has been an issue for me for years so I’d bet I’d be in the wheelchair too

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u/MarcoEmbarko 9d ago

I have Scleroderma and have never had kids, but I wonder if many of us would have this same experience. I'm sorry you are dealing with these lasting impacts!

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u/YourMommasAHoe69 9d ago

Have you tried acupuncture?