Epidural with adult pandas

[darling787]

Hello. I am desperate for advice and I know there’s a lot of people with incredible knowledge on here. I’ve had symptoms of adult pandas/ Lyme and cos since 2015. Treated for a few years got 80% better and sort of gave up. I live with chronic muscle pain, twitches, heart palpitations, etc. the only thing docs have ever found on my bloodwork is a rising ASO titer (usually over 400 without antibiotic therapy). 

I’m now 36 weeks pregnant with my first! And going down a rabbit hole of potential complications from childbirth. I’m reading how epidurals can introduce localized bacteria/ infections into your brain. That’s why if you have an active strep infection or virus they won’t give you one. Now I’m super paranoid that an elevated ASO titer puts me at higher risk of a hematoma or meningitis!! I’m in the process of finding an ID doc but want to see if anyone has an opinion. I’m SO Scared!!!!!

[bws1565]

Yes I've heard of someone who developed meningitis from an epidural and needed to be rehospitalized...  It was determined that she was not properly sterilized prior to epidural insertion.

Having said that I have had several children without epidural, and several with.  Given the choice I would definitely choose epidural.  However, there are benefits to full natural births as well.  The recovery is definitely much easier with no epidural, and the birth is usually faster.

I would recommend taking a hypnobirthing  class if you would choose delivery without epidural;  having a supporting person at your side definitely helps too.  (The first delivery is usually the longest labor and most difficult by the way.)  And whatever happens, either way, know that the end result of a healthy mother and baby is your goal.  Most deliveries are non complicated, so I wouldn't worry so much....

Best wishes for a easy delivery and healthy baby, in the right moment.