As much as I am trying to make light of it, it didn't really hit me until I got an invite to my cousins' girlfriend's baby shower today. There is no way I can go. First of all I'm not that keen on baby showers to begin with, I just think they're premature and also bloody annoying. See the SITC episode and that pretty much sums it up. But I have to say as much as I thought it might be impossible for me to have biological children, hearing it from the doctors last week just sealed the deal. There is NO WAY IN HELL I am going to a baby shower in the near future. It's against my beliefs and now it's against my sanity. Selfish you may say, but I'm the one who has to deal and accept what fate has thrown at my feet. So bugger everyone else for once I have to take care of myself. It's difficult enough that my sil and two cousins are having babies in the next 6 months. Yes, being the last single out of all of them was never easy, but at this point it's like pouring freaking rubbing alcohol on an open wound that goes 7 layers deep. At this point I really don't care if anyone understands, because they're not the ones that have to accept this, so perhaps for the first time in a week I am being blatantly honest and admitting how much I hurt.
from the EDS website:
What are some of the Ob/Gyn issues in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
All patients should see a geneticist to determine the specific type of EDS that they have, but patients considering pregnancy must receive genetic counseling so that they can make informed decisions. In addition to concern about passing EDS on to a child, a woman with EDS has an increased risk of miscarriage, premature rupture of membranes, premature births, cervical incompetence, and pre-mature labor. During pregnancy there is an increase in the hormone, Relaxin,. The Relaxin cause the connective tissue to become more loose, thus increasing joint laxity perinatally. This can be so severe that walking is impossible; and postpartum complications. Some forms of EDS can cause serious complications such as bleeding tearing during childbirth. Those with Vascular type also face the possibility of uterine rupture and hysterectomy.
In connection with a natural delivery, several women with EDS have experienced incontinence, weak pelvic floor, prolapse of the uterus, sprained joints of the pelvis, separation of the symphysis pubis (the joint between the two pubic bones in the frontal lower part of the pelvis), and rupture of the rectal musculature. Some doctors recommend a cesarean section so that the mother's fragile tissue and/or pelvis are not strained.In connection with the planning of a delivery the doctor and the woman should discuss advantages and disadvantages of a natural delivery compared to a cesarean section.
