Anxious with RA and pregnant

[Rachypants87]

Hi all, I found out last week I’m pregnant with my Third child. Doctors say I’m about 8 weeks but I know I’m only 5 weeks pregnant due to only having one opportunity to become pregnant! The baby is very very much wanted and was a lovely surprise after thinking I couldn’t have any more children thanks to having Reactive Inflammatory Arthritis (Rheumatoid Arthritis) and struggling to conceive my second child who will be 5 this year. I suffer from anxiety so as soon as I found out I was pregnant I cut my Sertraline down to 50mg to minimise risk to baby, all my other meds were stopped. I take cocodamol for pain and am trying to limit the amount I take to 2 doses a day. Yesterday I experienced some light brown spotting and feel generally on edge today. I rang the early pregnancy unit who couldn’t see me & told me to call my midwife. The midwife hasn’t contacted me at all yet and my GP said they’re only there once a week so will leave a message for them. Blackpool’s NHS trust is not the best. Has anyone else had a baby & have RA? How did you get on? My anxiety is going nuts because of the spotting yesterday & keep having panic attack!! I really need someone to tell me I’m ok!!

[Sisi14]

Aw hun don’t panic too much has the blood stopped and was it only brown ?

I’ve not got experience of what your going through but I’m experiencing the anxiety abit as I’m pregnant but so scared of losing this one as I lost my twins last year so my minds doing over time. I keep busying myself doing different jobs xx

[Rachypants87 in reply to Sisi14]

Hi Sisi, thank you for replying! Yes it was just a few brown spots in my underwear, I have been wearing a liner since and haven’t seen anymore. It’s so hard because I can’t tell if I’ve got cramps or the pain is my normal arthritis in my hips 😐 I know I’m over reacting and keep telling myself the same but it’s really not helping. I have suffered miscarriages in the past and have always “known” when it was happening so I keep telling myself that. I’m so sorry to hear about your twins, I can’t even begin to imagine how hard that must have been 🙁 I think I need to try get a scan done just so someone can say - you’re ok.

Because I’m so early though I don’t want to go and be told to come back in a week etc because that will be the worst!! I had a bleed at 8 weeks with my youngest and he is fine so I don’t know why I’m so panicked!! I think I know this is my last chance in the back of my mind and I’m praying so hard that nothing goes wrong!!

[Sisi14 in reply to Rachypants87]

Yes this is my last one and I’m an older mummy too well 35 but have a 15 and 13 & 4 year old so thought if it doesn’t happen now after the twins I was giving up which I didn’t want to but I am early stages myself and I’m scared to even see my midwife ! If it’s brown blood or spots that’s old blood as long as your not in pain and fresh bleeding or clots Hun but I know how anxious you are. Book a scan Hun don’t worry about feeling awkward or anything if it makes you feel better that’s all that counts x

[Rachypants87 in reply to Sisi14]

I think I might call EPU tomorrow and see if they can book me in ASAP. Thanks Hun.

I’ve just been made aware I’m classed as a “mature mum” at 30! I’m a bit offended 😂

My eldest is 10 and my youngest 4 so a nice age gap between all 3 (hopefully!) would be lovely ❤️

I hope everything goes ok for you xxx

[Sisi14 in reply to Rachypants87]

Mature mum lol well I suppose on a good note it’s true as we are mature lol grown up but I must be extra mature lol !!

Yes ring the EPU as they think your 8 weeks anyway so they won’t turn you away a happy mummy is a happy baby !! Thanks Hunni I hope so too, let me know how you get on. Xx

[Rachypants87 in reply to Sisi14]

I’m trying to keep your explaination of mature Mum in mind so I’m not offended again 😂 I called EPU today and they couldn’t see me but are going to call me with an appointment- I’m not holding my breath though! The receptionist at my gp surgery caught up with the midwife today and asked her to call me so may be able to get somewhere once I’ve spoken to her. I’m so irritated that the GP said I’m “high risk” so need extra care and I’ve still had absolutely no contact! Xx

[Sisi14 in reply to Rachypants87]

Why have they said your high risk hun ? If that’s the case the EPU should see you ASAP too!! How are you feeling?

Yes do keep it in mind that some ppl can be rude and insensitive but mature you are compared to the silly people who think it’s (old) !! Xx

[Rachypants87 in reply to Sisi14]

Because of the RA I’m considered high risk, my immune system attacks my organs an joints and causes swelling and unimaginable pain. Its treated with mild chemotherapy which I’ve been on for about 6 months but have obviously had to stop while pregnant. They’re concerned about how my body will cope with the hormones and extra weight I’ll be carrying so are “keeping a close eye on me”. It certainly doesn’t seem like that to me! EPU just keep telling me there’ no appointments free so they’ll have to call me. Blackpool’s NHS is terrible at the moment. Just absolutely not enough staff for what needs to be done! I feel ok today although nausea has hit me like a tonne of bricks!! Xx

[Sisi14 in reply to Rachypants87]

Well hun if you feel in any kind of pain or concern go to your A&E or Badger clinic as it’s not right your waiting for your midwife! I’ve not had sickness but waves of nausea xx

[Major2116]

I haven't got RA but I can relate on the anxiety front. We miscarried twice before becoming pregnant with our rainbow boy. After we lost first baby, I started to suffer with anxiety and depression, 4 months later when we lost our second baby, you can imagine it got worse. I started taking sertraline after our first miscarriage.

Me and my fiancé had decided to book a holiday for 3 months time after our second miscarriage and decided to try again when we got back. Only to find out a week after returning that I was already 4 weeks pregnant. I panicked and stopped my meds straight away (which obviously wasn't my brightest idea!) I saw the mental health midwife who recommended being on my meds as sertraline is the safest one to take in pregnancy. Even if you were to take 200mg, the worst that could happen to your baby is that they can get a lot more trapped wind.

I was having pregnancy symptoms before our holiday but I put that down to skipping breakfast and having another UTI as I'd already had 2 that year. Then I came on my 'period' which lasted 3 days and it turned out to be implantation bleeding.

I'm sure you will be fine hun and baby will be tucked safely inside your belly! Better to ge4 checked for your piece of mind. Keep us updated! Best of luck xx

[Rachypants87 in reply to Major2116]

Thank you Hun, I’ve been on to EPU today and they’re calling me with an appointment ASAP. Sorry to hear about your losses too. I’m really glad to hear about your experience with sertraline- it’s put my mind at rest ❤️

[tiffxo]

Im on baby #6 after getting a tubal ligation😣😅, So this defiantly is not my 1st rodeo! I wouldnt be concerned about brown blood at all, in fact I'm positive it is old blood which is pretty common as well as normal in early pregnancy. Good luck

[Rachypants87 in reply to tiffxo]

Thank you sweet, it does ease my mind knowing everyone thinks the same 😂

[jowalk6]

Hi hun, you can sometimes have a discharge like that. But I know the worry so always put your mind at rest and if need be demand to be seen. My little girl was born asleep at 39 weeks, it broke me. I had depression. I thought i would never see the light. Then I got pregnant with my little boy, I didn't relax all through the pregnancy as I always had the dread of it happening again. When I went in for my c.section I broke down crying when I heard my little boy cry. You are not old, I was 42 and my little boy is a blessing. He's 4 now. Just try to relax and if you ever need to talk I'm here x

[Rachypants87 in reply to jowalk6]

Thank you Hun, I’m so sorry for your loss I cannot even begin to imagine how awful that must have been! My son is my absolute world but my pregnancy with him was dreadful and I’ve had anxiety ever since & I just can’t relax!!

[jowalk6 in reply to Rachypants87]

It really is hard hun. I totally understand what you're feeling. The thing is no matter how many people tell you not to worry, to stay calm all is going to be okay, it's telling yourself that. Just remember hun that through all the storms we face there's always a rainbow x

[Rachypants87 in reply to jowalk6]

Thanks honey, I’ve still had no word from my midwife nor EPU but not bled since Monday so I’m hopeful everything is ok. Nausea and sore boobs have hit me like a tonne of bricks the last few days so I’m taking it as a good sign!! Xx

[jowalk6]

That's all good things hun. Thinking of you x