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Lichen Scelorosus and pregnancy

Posted , 7 users are following.

liz04551
liz04551

Hi all. I was diagnosed with LS last year after 4 months of chronic thrush. I have been using cloboderm once a week ever since and had no more flare ups or problems. I am currently 35 weeks pregnant and very worried about how a vaginal delivery may cause very bad tearing and also the after effects of any tearing with the LS. I saw a gyno yesterday and she said a vaginal delivery 'should" be ok from looking at the skin. My worry is as this is such an unknown issue when I am pushing/in the delivery suite the correct support and knowledge won't be there. Has anyone got LS and gone through Labour recently? Should I listen to them and try for vaginal or push for a c section? Really don't want to cause long term damage. Thanks

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Guppy007
    Guppy007 liz04551

    Posted

    Hi there, you raise real and valid concerns.  I do not have experience of childbirth with LS.  But, for what its worth, in your shoes I would probably opt for a c section.  Doctors/specialists alike are often ignorant with regard to LS and so expecting them to understand what that means for a woman giving birth with LS is a stretch. 

    This is only my opinion and I am sure others will chime in possibly with experience of childbirth and LS.

    • liz04551
      liz04551 Guppy007

      Posted

      Thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I have met with someone from the hospital today and expressed my concerns which like you said, are all valid. They are ringing me back on Friday with option so fingers crossed x
  • steph8923
    steph8923 liz04551

    Posted

    I’ve met so many doctors, nurses, specialists etc. along the way who have little to no knowledge and understanding of this condition - and the  thought of giving birth  keeps me awake at night too - even though I’m not even pregnant!

    I would also be really grateful to hear the thoughts and experiences of this from the perspective of women who have been in this position.

    There is so little information out there that we are often our greatest source of knowledge smile

    Thank you in advance to those  willing to contribute to this discussion. 

    • liz04551
      liz04551 steph8923

      Posted

      Hi Steph

      Thanks for your comments. I keep checking to see if anyone has replied. I had a meeting with the hospital yesterday and went through the concerns I listed above. They were very supportive and agreed there is a big question mark around how a vaginal recovery could go and she admitted there may be no one in the delivery room that is knowledgeable on the condition. She made me feel much better about it and that I wasn't being dramatic etc. She is discussing the option of a c section with my consultant and getting back to me tomorrow. The thing is I now feel so guilty about potentially not going through natural childbirth for the sake of my long term vaginal health. Such a tough choice to make sad

    • steph8923
      steph8923 liz04551

      Posted

      Thanks for reporting back Liz smile It sounds like it was a positive meeting and I’m glad they acknowledged the fact there may be no one knowledgeable in the delivery room as I feel this honesty is a really important part in enabling you to make the right decision for you. 

      The mental load of this condition is rarely recognised, but it is immense. At my absolute lowest, I felt suicidal because of LS. (Misdiagnosed, fobbed off repeatedly, improperly advised... the list goes on!) This is why it isn’t just for the sake of your long-term vaginal health - it’s so so much more than that! It’s your emotional health, your sexuality, your intimacy and relationships, your identity... 

      So as hard as it is to say this, as I am not yet in your position, please do not feel guilty one bit! You need to look after you! Make your decision based on what you value most.

      Knowing how low I was when my LS was undiagnosed and at its worst, I know that I’m very likely to choose a C- section because I couldn’t raise a child or be the Mum I’d want to be if I went back to rock bottom again. I’ll talk it through with my doctors etc. when the time comes, but as a result of this journey, I’ve become a force to be reckoned with and will never feel ashamed of advocating for my own physical and mental health again. 

      Babies come into this world one way or another, so it’s not worth beating yourself up over! Look after yourself, make the decision that feels right for you, (tell anyone who has an unwanted opinion to p*** off!), and you do you Liz! 

      You’re gonna be a wonderful mum smile 

    • Guppy007
      Guppy007 liz04551

      Posted

      Hi Liz, I think the reason you have not had many replies is possibly (I dont know this for sure) because many of the women that post on here are post menopausal. 

      I believe you are making the best decision for you if that helps at all.  Once you have a baby it is hard work, iand the last thing you need is cuts, bruises, sores ete etc from giving birth.  Not only  that, women with LS have a smaller Vjay (it shrinks) and thats going to make giving birth a lot harder.

    • liz04551
      liz04551 Guppy007

      Posted

      Yes I think your right as this is was the expert at the hospital said to me on Tuesday. There is not enough data over LS and childbirth due to the fact that it's not all that common with women of child bearing age so there would be a big question mark over my recovery. It could be absolutely fine but then there is that chance it would not. I feel a bit sad as always thought I would do natural birth, or at least try to. However the more I think about it the more I don't want to risk the awful recovery/potential years of pain that could occur in a worst case scenario. Thank you again for your reply. It's nice to talk to someone that can see it from my point of view. I'm worried people will judge when they find out I have had a section and want to know why. Everyone likes to have an opinion on childbirth!

    • liz04551
      liz04551 steph8923

      Posted

      It could well be pregnancy hormones but your lovely post has left me sobbing!! Thank you so much Steph and everything you are saying is so right. I will read back on this whenever I am doubting myself. I am glad you are now diagnosed and are in a better place now. I know exactly how you would have felt and sadly this is the case for many women. We need to all be there for each other! Lots of love x
  • stephanie73590
    stephanie73590 liz04551

    Posted

    Hi

    It may now be a bit late but ive just come across this post via Google.

    I am a LS suffer and have been since 2005.

    I had my first baby in 2016 and he was meant to be delivered via c-section. My little one had other ideas and i went into labour early. By the time I got to the hospital it was apparently too late for a c-section meaning i had no other choice but to have natural birth.

    I was really worried because like your concern mentioned above I had no one in the room that was "clued up" on LS.

    However all in all the birth went smoothly, midwives were fantastic in trying to understand and helping me through the labour. They advised that they we're going to have to do a little snip because even though I had dilated it still wasn't quite big enough.

    However, unfortunately, even by doing the snip, they still could not prevent the 3rd degree tear (Cat B). I was taken to surgery not long after delivery for stitches under local anthestic - so all pain free.

    Not ideal being a LS sufferer but in fact to experience a natural birth I wouldn't change it. From what I can remember the actual delivery, pain wise, wasn't too bad. Just took a little longer in the healing process after. But in no way did it impact doing things with my little one.

    I am now pregnant with my second and hopefully, assuming all goes to plan this time, will definately be having a c-seftion due to a decision agrees with the gyanologist.

    If I have caught you in time before you have your baby, you should be able to elect c-section via your gyanologist.

    Good luck either way!! You'll be fine :-) xx

  • MapleSyrup
    MapleSyrup liz04551

    Posted

    Had a baby last year. I have given birth vaginally but didn't know I had LS, so I didn't worry the way you are . I definitely had LS prior to having my kids. I even had symptoms (itchy and cuts on clitoris) while pregnant! 

    Birth was fine though, it wa after when I started a horrible flare up that has lasted months and had VERY drastic changes to my anatomy. 

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