Rhuematoid arthritis ( Anklyosing Spondylitis) in my hips 33 weeks pregnant.

[babylilybump]

anyone else have this and given birth?. If so was the birth ok and how is the AS now. Mine is already chronic and advanced and hurting now. I have to choose whether to have a c section or natural birth. What psin relief and worried I will be worse after birth as is bad now and can be so bad I cannot move.

Just after a little advice from someone who has it rather than a doctor who doesn't.

Many thanks lauren

[Sammi1986]

Hi lauren, didn't want to just read and run but can't really help!
AS is rife in my family,but with everyone diagnosis wasn't given until later when fusion had already begun. In me as I have no fusing so I have been diagnosed osteoarthritis and sacroilitis. 30+5 and also worrying about the future.
Hopefully someone more helpful will be along soon!

[babylilybump]

Thank you for replying sammi, yes hopefully someone else will be able to help im on 25 so its quite rare for anyone else to have especially as advanced as mine. Im just worried the birth will make it worse and ill end up in a wheelchair or something awful. I have no fusion yet but my spine is completely straight and also worried I won't be able to have the epidural. Fingers crossed someone else can reassure me.

[Sammi1986]

I'm yet to have an appointment to see if I can have an epidural. I'm a little worried as I'd like the safety net of knowing I could have one if I can't cope! Iv always been worried about pain relief, iv been allowed to continue codeine but it's like taking smarties after all these years!