How does fibromyalgia affect pregnancy?
- Pregnancy can intensify fibromyalgia symptoms due to physical and emotional stress, potentially requiring adjustments to pain management strategies in consultation with a doctor.
- While fibromyalgia may increase the risk of certain pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes or restricted fetal growth, most women with fibromyalgia still have healthy, full-term pregnancies.
- Planning is key; women with fibromyalgia should assemble a knowledgeable healthcare team, prioritize rest, explore drug-free pain management, and arrange for extra support after delivery to manage the challenges of pregnancy.
Fibromyalgia affects around 2%Trusted Source of the adult population in the United States, and it is twice as likely to occur in females.
Pain, fatigue, and stress can be particularly bothersome for women with fibromyalgia during the first and last trimesters of pregnancy. Disruption can also occur if a woman has to adjust her usual treatment for fibromyalgia during the pregnancy.
However, research suggests that, despite these challenges, a child born to a woman with fibromyalgia is likely to be no less healthy than one born to a woman without this condition Impact on pregnancy and delivery
Some symptoms can occur with both pregnancy and fibromyalgia.
They include:
- pain discomfort
- brain fog
- fatigue
- mood changes
When a woman with fibromyalgia becomes pregnant, she may find that the physical and emotional stress can intensify the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
During delivery, there may be an additional need for pain relief medication.
Researchers reporting in 2013 found that symptoms of fibromyalgia tended to be prominent around the time of delivery.
However, they did not find that the intensity of pain during delivery was greater than it was for other women.
The treatment and management of fibromyalgia often involve both medical and lifestyle therapies.
- over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief, such as acetaminophen
- prescription pain relievers
- antidepressants
- antiseizure medications
Many drugs for fibromyalgia may not be suitable during pregnancy.
Any woman with fibromyalgia who is planning a pregnancy should talk to the doctor about how it will affect the treatment options.
Any woman with fibromyalgia who finds out she is pregnant should check with her doctor:
- before taking any medications, including those for fibromyalgia
- before stopping any medications, including those for fibromyalgia
It is best for a woman to consult a doctor as soon as she knows she is pregnant to discuss the best way to treat fibromyalgia during pregnancy. Some drugs, such as acetaminophen, may be safe to use at this time.
Some lifestyle treatments have also proven helpful for people with fibromyalgia, such as:
- exercise
- behavioral therapy
- getting enough sleep
- learning about the condition
These practices can also help a person stay healthy during pregnancy.
During pregnancy
The impact of fibromyalgia may change throughout the pregnancy, according to Fibromyalgia Action UK.
Trimester 1: This can be challenging. Not only is the body trying to cope with fluctuating hormones, but the individual may have just stopped taking their fibromyalgia medication. Nausea and fatigue can add to the challenges during these three months or so.
Trimester 2: Many women have a sense of wellbeing during the middle months, and this may be true, too, for those with fibromyalgia. The effect of the body’s natural hormones may mean a woman has more energy and feels less pain.
Trimester 3: Discomfort, fatigue, heartburn, and difficulty sleeping can all be problems in the weeks before delivery. For a woman with fibromyalgia, these may be particularly challenging.
Tips for caring for a pregnant woman with fibromyalgia
During pregnancy, a woman with fibromyalgia may need some extra care, as pain and fatigue may become overwhelming or debilitating.
The person who is taking care of her should:
- inform themselves about fibromyalgia
- listen to the person’s concerns
- encourage healthy habits, including plenty of rest
- help make meals and do chores during times of extreme fatigue or pain
It will also be a good idea to arrange for extra help after childbirth. The caregiver may find they will be busy taking care of the new mom and the newborn.
Fibromyalgia and the baby
Doctors do know not much about how fibromyalgia affects pregnancy.
