Pregnancy and Lupus

I have reached 7 months in my pregnancy, and my flare is still consistent. I have taken a break from social media platforms and only post when needed. I am still losing weight consistently, and the doctors say that is due to my constant throwing up at the beginning of my pregnancy.

Lupus flares and pregnancy

Now that I enter my third trimester, I am trying to catch up and eat so the baby and I can grow together. With this lupus flare and being on social media, I realized how big of a stressor it is. I am bothered when someone tries to tell me what to do with my life when I am in a lupus flare-up. Why? Because I know that I am already tired and stressed out, and do not need someone in my ear or energy telling me ridiculous comments. While I agree that people and things can help, I personally do not need to hear this type of feedback. All I need is support and rest. Sometimes the people who give advice can be negative, and they are not medical professionals themselves to be giving out advice.

Lupus specialists

The main focus should be on getting myself together and learning to heal and love myself again. As I get older and meet different doctors, I realize that some of my lupus doctors will know holistic alternatives and offer them to me while taking the medication needed.

My OBGYN, maternal-fetal medicine doctors, and rheumatologists offer more than they think they can, which is great because I need and want doctors who care more for their patients than they do themselves. Being 7 months pregnant, the doctor appointments have become more frequent and real.

I have to meet with a surgeon after my daughter is born with her cleft lip, and she will need that cosmetic repair. I may also possibly be induced once again at 38 weeks. I am undoubtedly scared of catching a flare-up right after I have her because throughout this whole pregnancy. I have been sick as well.

Preparing for post-partum with lupus

Since I moved back to Louisiana, I had to get my ducks in a row and answer the same questions the other doctors in Atlanta asked. Still, it was easier this time because I have been dealing with the same hospital, even with my first birth, since I had lupus.

The doctor asked questions about my first delivery, and I found out that my delivery for my daughter was 22 minutes long. Everything went smoothly. They told me they were not worried about the delivery process with the child due to my lupus since most of my flare-ups involve my skin. I am praying and keeping faith that everything will run smoothly.

I encourage others to log off and take a break from social media for their health and sanity. Please take that break, calm yourself down, and rest because no one will understand what goes on behind closed doors or what you don’t show on social media.