[MamaAnna]

I wasn't sure where to ask this, but you ladies probably know more about my problems than anybody else on JM so I thought I'd ask you. Prepare for a semi-lengthy post!

After I had my baby I was feeling really good. Sore as could be, but otherwise good. Then last week (2 weeks postpartum) my pelvis started to hurt. It kept getting worse and Tylenol, Motrin 800 and Percocet all failed to help. I gave up and called my doctor yesterday to see what I should do. They had me come in so she could do a pelvic just in case and then recommend a chiropractor or what have you. As it turns out, though, I have a really bad uterine infection where the placenta was attached. It's bad enough that my uterus is badly swollen to the point of applying a lot of pressure on my pelvis, hence the pain. She put me on two antibiotics right away and if I don't improve in another day or two I have to be admitted to the hospital for IV antibiotics and observation. She believes it developed because the doctor on call when my water broke waited 8 hours before he even started Pitocin since I didn't go into labor on my own. Needless to say I want to punch him in the nose.

So, this brings me to my question. Assuming the antibiotics seem to be helping they want to see me back in 3 weeks to make sure the infection is totally cleared up and everything is back to normal. We were planning to NTNP for a little while before starting to actively TTC again. Now I'm thinking I may want to request some form of BCP or something though. I'm not sure what kind of impact this will have on my system and I'm worried that it could cause problems if we got pregnant without adequate time to heal. I know I could just ask for advice in 3 weeks, but they're having me see one of the midwives and I know she'll push birth control either way. Plus I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for the possibility of going on it and delaying our plans to TTC.

Do any of you know anything about this sort of infection and problems it could cause for TTC? Would you play it safe and go on birth control for awhile or just wait to hear that the infection is gone? With my PCOS and possible endo though maybe I should go on something to help steady my hormones before we TTC anyways?I know that it's a really serious infection and in all honesty I'm scared to have it, so I'm just trying to focus on planning to TTC again and put the current risks out of my mind. KWIM?

Thanks for reading all of this. Hopefully it makes sense, I'm tired and these antibiotics eat my brain.

[Mommy2Dakota]

Hey! I'm sorry your in pain and having this dilema! I'm afraid I can't give any expert advice whatsoever, just my opinion and what I would probably do.

I wouldn't go on BCP...I would just try to 'avoid' bedding around ovulation if you know your cycle well enough. I wouldn't do that or say that if you or I were the type to fall pregs at the drop of a hat but as ttc isn't that easy I would be pretty sure - with a little avoidance - it is pretty much 99% unlikely at this time and in 3wks time/next cycle you will know where you stand with the infection. If its clearing up fine you can happily cont.
Of course there is also the yukky condom!

Do some research too about pregnancy and infection treatments. Thats what I do when in doubt, research alot! I am sure its not an uncommon infection and the docs know how to treat it so find reassurance in that!

G'luck!

[~InHisHands~]

That sounds like no fun at all!

I'm sorry that I don't really know anything about it personally so I'm not much help. I'm like Jo though that I don't think I'd go on BCP b/c they mess with me so much but if they don't mess you up & you think they may actually be beneficial b/c of your PCOS then I'd def go for it.

[MamaAnna]

Thanks ladies. I've yet to use a hormonal birth control that hasn't screwed me up big time which gives me a lot of hesitation. I'd have to use OPKs to try to avoid O time since I'm so irregular though (I'm no good with CP and CM).

Mommy2Dakota ~ I'm actually trying not to research it. Google can be scary!

[Mommy2Dakota]

Thats OK! You just have to go with your gut on this one.

Just be warned though....as sperm lives for 5-7 days (though they say 3-4 more common) and an OPK tests only gives you 12-72hrs warning of impending ovulation it means if you bed a day or two before the + OPK you would still have a chance at conception.
But as I said, that would be more a problem with those of us that fall pregs easily and without assistance!

[Vicki...]

I have to agree with the other girls, I have never been on birth control without completely messing up my cycles, but that being said having this sort of infection and getting pregnant could be bad I would think, it seems to me that it could cause problems with the placenta being able to attach and such so it may be worth it to go on birth control for a month or so and just go off it in time to get your cycles straight before ttc ma, also not expert advice of course, just my opinion
I know before I started ttc'ing with Caleb i had to have endo adhesions removed from my uterus because they could get in the way of the fetus adhering to my uterus

By the way ((((hugs)))) I hope you feel better soon

[MamaAnna]

Mommy2Dakota ~ The last minute warning of OPKs is why I was leaning towards birth control. My O date varies quite a bit so it's really hard to predict when my fertile window will be.

Vicki ~ It's possible implantation/placenta problems that I'm really worried about. It seems like at this point since the infection has my uterus so swollen that it would take more than one cycle to totally clear out and I don't want it to cause trouble for me or a baby.

[Mommy2Dakota]

Hey, how are you feeling? Are the antibiotics easing the pain at all?

Any decision on the birth control choices yet?

[Vicki...]

Anna I hope you are feeling better girl!

[MamaAnna]

So far the pain is just moving, which is weird. If I'm not out of pain by Monday I'll have to call for the IV antibiotics.

I'll probably go ahead and ask if there's anything I could take for a few months to make sure nothing happens. DH isn't keen on the idea (he'd have me pregnant today if he could), but I don't want to assume nothing bad would happen. If the baby had a problem with lung development or anything like that I'd always wonder if it was because we didn't wait. KWIM?

[Vicki...]

I hope the pain lets up for you girl, that is one of the worst kinds of pain! i agree with you, I'd be the same way, if you can prevent anything that can go wrong by not getting preggo at a time when your body is not quite ready then I personally think that's best, I know it's a hard decision though, but if it makes you feel better, the last time I was on birth control, it only took about two cycles for my cycles to get "normal" or at least what is normal for me, I took Yaz, it is not as strong a dose of hormones as some birth controls

[Mommy2Dakota]

It sounds like you are making a wise choice. Plus some people claim getting pregs is easier if you stop using the BCP mid-pack, Maybe try that when your healthy and ready again.

[MamaAnna]

Vicki ~ Yaz does me in, but my estrogen is normally low so I think that has something to do with it. I'm not sure what I could take and not have problems. Time will tell on that one.

Mommy2Dakota ~ I'd never heard of stopping mid-pack like that. For some reason I just assumed women always finished it.

[Mommy2Dakota]

Originally Posted by MamaAnna

Mommy2Dakota ~ I'd never heard of stopping mid-pack like that. For some reason I just assumed women always finished it.

Don't I know it! When I decided to ttc Dakota I thought I was doing a GOOD thing by coming off the pill AND waiting a month for my 'body to return to normal' but it took us 16mths to concieve! I later found out that trying right after coming off (or mid-way) is supposed to be best because where the pill has held your ovulation in check it might fast-forward it in terms of releasing an egg, you know.
When you think about it - the way it says on the pack about if you miss just one pill or are sick (so don't digest it properly) you are at risk of getting pregnancy and recommends using condoms until the next pack or for 7days....well, I always figured it worth a shot if I ever go back on it then ttc again.
I sometimes have wondered over the last year and a half about taking the pill for a month or two then doing just that. Maybe it would have kick-started my hormone problem? But I could never face the 'chance' that by going ON the pill I might have missed the one month that I MIGHT have concieved!

Anyhoo, hope your feeling better now!

[MamaAnna]

I'm feeling a bit worse today unfortunately. I'm going to call when the kids settle and see what they want me to do. Nothing is ever easy these days.

It'd be nice if going off the pill would make it easier to TTC even for just a brief time. The side effects of that couldn't be any worse than Clomid. I'm not sure I've ever heard of hot flashes and major mood swings as a side effect of going off the pill. Going on, sure, but not going off.

[~InHisHands~]

Originally Posted by Mommy2Dakota

I later found out that trying right after coming off (or mid-way) is supposed to be best because where the pill has held your ovulation in check it might fast-forward it in terms of releasing an egg, you know.
When you think about it - the way it says on the pack about if you miss just one pill or are sick (so don't digest it properly) you are at risk of getting pregnancy and recommends using condoms until the next pack or for 7days....well, I always figured it worth a shot if I ever go back on it then ttc again.

You know, that is something interesting to try Anna especially if you are planning on going on birth control. It does kinda make sense to me!

I'm so sorry, Anna, that you are feeling worse! I hope you start feeling better soon! Def KUP, please!

[MamaAnna]

The nurse told me to take pain killers (they don't help) and go to bed. With 3 kids? Ha! They need to go back to the old days of letting doctors take their own calls. Right now you follow their instructions and the nurses blow you off.