I'm a 31 year old mum to be (28 weeks along) and been struggling with worsening health problems for about a year - very painful neck, very painful wrist, and crippling migraines. So far there has been no satisfactory diagnosis or treatment. As I cannot earn my own living at this stage, we are supported by my husband's salary alone.
I've researched some treatments I can try when the baby is born. However, it seemes likely they will have a sedating effect, at least in the short-term. This is an alarming prospect, especially as I am already worried about dealing with chronic pain and a baby.
My GP and midwife have talked about the importance of having a 'good support network' when the baby is born. I find this somewhat frustrating, because it simply isn't the way our society tends to work. In this day and age, 'a good support network' seems to boil down to my overworked husband trying to do the impossible - working during the day, running the house during the evenings, and tending to the baby during the nights! I have no sisters, and my friends are over-stretched, working mothers themselves.
(Obviously, I'll be doing as much as I can, but I cannot push past the pain because I end up in agony, which is worse for everyone).
SURELY I'm not the first person facing this situation? What would happen if my poor husband had a breakdown (which seems quite reasonable in the circumstances!).
Does anyone have any suggestions? Just to save time:
- We can't afford a cleaner or nanny.
- Family support is unavailable.
- My GP is unaware of any government help available.
- We live in Northern Ireland so help from the disabled parent's network is not available to us.