*36 wks preg, feel like i`m loosing the will to live. Please Help*

[Bananahammock]

Hi everyone, please accept my apologies in advance because this is a lengthy list of worries. I was hoping someone could give me some advice. Ive felt dreadful throughout most of my pregnancy with De Quervain's Tendinosis in my left wrist and severe Carpal Tunnel in the right. I havent slept for months due to the pain/pins and needles. For months ive suffered with light headedness and pain in what I can only describe as my falopian tubes. The water retention has been so bad that I can bearly walk-especially at night.I literally feel as though im having the life sucked from me through the top of my head. I cant stand for more than a couple of minutes now without feeling like im going to faint, the iron tablets arent working, the heartburn prevents me from drinking fresh orange, the gaviscon has been on tap for months and I`m now getting mild headaches and sore swollen glands. On top of this the consultants are confusing me with inconsistent info. Ive had 2 vulvectomy procedures and have so much scar tissue to my entire vulva. Ive been advised that a normal vaginal delivery will be ok until last week when I was advised that a C-section is the best way for me in order to prevent any more trauma to my vulval area. There was also mention of sterilisation being perfomed at the same time. Oh dear - my head is battered. Can anyone help.

you don't have to accept sterlisation so don't make that decision while you're all emotional.
Maybe if you do have to have a c-section it will be within a couple of weeks and all the water retention will go away.

goodness. poor poor you. lots of thoughts and sympathies to you. i dont have anything wise to say but wanted you to know i had noticed your cry for help. it sounds like you have done SOOO well to get this far and be sane in your pregnancy. all i can say is that your pregnancy WILL be over soon and some of the accompanying discomfort will go. It WILL be worth it as you will have a beautiful baby very soon all of your own in your arms to cuddle and to love. hang in there.

Not much advice rally but a lot of sympathy if that helps at all. What is your Midwife saying about the conflicting advice? I found mine knew nothing about what the consultants said to me which made me more stressed.

I did find Milk helped the heartburn and chewing mint gum.

Feel free to come back and moan some more, getting it all out will help you feel better

Couldn't read this and not tell you that everything will be ok. You are almost there. It may be a good idea to schedule the C-section, having a date may make you feel a little (a little light at the end of the tunnel). As far as the sterilisation you can make that decision later.

You are almost there and keep telling yourself everyday, and when you see your baby you will know everything was worth it.

It is like reading the story of my friends pregnancy! Initially she said NEVER EVER AGAIN but now 4 years down the line she is very broody so would be a bit hesitant with steralisation at the same time as a c-section

Re carpet tunnel syndrome - she tried everything and her DH found her once with her hands in the freezer and a breadknife on the counter, she was going to freeze her hands and then cut them off (obviously didnt think it through but the pain was unbearable)

The only thing she found helped the tingles/needles was use a tense machine on her wrists.

Acupunture sometimes helps with the heartburn/vomitting!

In her experience nearly everything dissapeared when her DD was born.

Poor poor you, not the best of experiences. A pro argument to having the c-section (as well as reducing trauma) would be an earlier than due date - most are scheduled a week early. Dont be talked into sterilisation though, only you should be making that decision - if u did it again it may well be completely different.

Have you tried ice packs on your wrists? and natural diuretics like melon and cucumber to try and reduce the amount of fluid your body is carrying.

It will be over soon.

Thank you all so much for your kind messages. This is my 3rd pregnancy, however, my daughters who are 14 and 15yrs this year are from a previous marriage, and although being pregnant was never the most enjoyable experience for me this pregnancy has been just awful. The only thing keeping me going is the thought of our little boy arriving safe and sound. His actual due date is our first wedding anniversay - 10th March but the hospital have mentioned the 3rd as the date for a c-s. Im not sure I can last that long. Its been difficult getting to know any midwives as many of my appointments are at the hospital due to my medical history and when I do see the midwives its often never the same one twice. <strong>Pickie</strong> you made me laugh at your story about your friend because I have contemplated cutting my own hands off too. Im very pleased her DH caught her in the nick of time. Thank you all for just being there, Its been very iscolated here feeling so bad. Its good to know im not so alone.

I can only imagine how terrible everything feels for you!! Pregnancy is a long old slog at the best of times but with any of the things you've described it must feel unbearable....

But remember, you're really nearly there!!! You've come so far, 8 out of 9 months down! You are obviously a very strong woman to have gone through all this already, dont forget that.

Best of luck with your lovely little baby boy. xxx

Hey BH - my only sensible suggestion would be trying acupuncture for the carpal tunnel, if you haven't already. I used to get it before pregnancy (have had lucky escape during) and found it really helped. Poor you - hope others are along with better advice. Sounds absolutely hellish.

Banana - Oodles of sympathy and warm feelings going out to you over the ether.

Another mumsnetter (can't pretend it was me) suggested miracle cure cellery for indigestion - its pretty good.

Can also sing the praises of TENS machines - I have one and its brilliant - BUT at your stage they can bring on contracts so if you don't want an emergency c/s rather than the nice planned one, I would be cautious.

For happy thoughts - picture the gorgeous LO you and DH will have in your arms on your wedding anniversary!

Thanks Denny, ive put the cucumber and melon on the shopping list for my DH to pick up on his way home from work. Thegabster, Your right about the celery, I eat it all day long. It goes along way to helping calm the heartburn down.
I`m back at the hospital tomorrow to discuss the mode of delivery,my DH has even said that he cant watch me suffering any longer and wants me to opt for c-s.

Nothing to add banana but best wishes for the next few weeks. just think all this will soon be a ditant memory when that LO is in your arms