[SheHulk07]

For those of you who have been pregnant...did you SH while you were pregnant or were you able to stop during the pregnancy? I've never SH during my previous pregnancies, but I also had only SH a handful of times ever before the last 6 months.

I'm worried that I won't be able to stop and it's going to look "worse" to my therapists and doctors if it continues.

[Espresso]

I'm not sure what you mean when you say it's going to look "worse". I didn't stop when I was pregnant, but I wasn't doing it much anyway.

[SheHulk07]

Originally Posted by Espresso

I'm not sure what you mean when you say it's going to look "worse". I didn't stop when I was pregnant, but I wasn't doing it much anyway.

Sorry, I just meant that maybe it would be viewed differently by professionals. Maybe by them being more concerned or something along those lines?

[NoddaProbBob]

I interpreted your concerns as you saying, "I'm pregnant, I should be happy and not self-harming. I am worried that they may think I am putting my child at risk by self-harming"

Is that close? I wasn't exactly sure what you meant by "more concerned".

Well - I am a guy so I would have to say no regarding the pregnancy thing.

BUT - I just wanted to say a huge CONGRATS to you. I am jealous of the joy you are about to experience.

God bless you and your family.

[SheHulk07]

Originally Posted by NoddaProbBob

I interpreted your concerns as you saying, "I'm pregnant, I should be happy and not self-harming. I am worried that they may think I am putting my child at risk by self-harming"

Is that close? I wasn't exactly sure what you meant by "more concerned".

Yes that's close. I'm not sure exactly how to explain my concern, but that's pretty much along the same lines.

[Victoria'smom]

I was anorexic and self harming while pregnant. You'll have more frequent appointments, they may want to medicate you and want you in therapy. They'll watch you closer for PPD. I would tell them and not wait until they found out.

[NoddaProbBob]

Originally Posted by AmyFed07

Yes that's close. I'm not sure exactly how to explain my concern, but that's pretty much along the same lines.

Thank you for clarifying.

I have never been pregnant so I cannot personally say how I would deal with that.

However, I think these are common assumptions that people make about women who are pregnant, even those who do not self-injure. The body changes immensely when pregnant. And I think everyone is quick to judge and make suggestions about how you should or should not be taking care of yourself and your child.

I wouldn't put too much thought into it. Self-injury doesn't just disappear. I think anyone would be asking too much of you to just automatically stop the behavior on a moment's notice. It just doesn't work like that. Anyone who has struggled with self-injury knows how hard it is to stop. There is no on/off switch and pregnancy doesn't change that.

I think perhaps your T and Docs will just up their levels of observation. As long as you are under the care of a qualified T and/or Doc, it shouldn't be an issue.

I know that when I switched my methods of self-injury, I was concerned that my T was going to want me to go to inpatient. I think that was always my worst fear. I didn't want to be in the hospital and the worse my self-injury became, the more my T threatened to send me to inpatient. However, on a very realistic note, there wasn't much merit to having me go to inpatient. I wasn't suicidal, didn't have a plan, and wasn't actively trying to end my life. They would have sent me home. I was underneath the care of two T's at that point, one of which I saw four times a week for three hours through an Outpatient Program.

I guess my point is, you are underneath the care of a T and a Doc. They will know if there is a need for more care. And as far as their opinions go, they don't matter. You are carrying your child, not theirs. I would hope they would be sensitive enough to know that any type of mental health concern or issue simply never just goes away, even if you are pregnant. That changes nothing.

All you can do is try to take care of yourself the best that you know how.

[Espresso]

Originally Posted by AmyFed07

Sorry, I just meant that maybe it would be viewed differently by professionals. Maybe by them being more concerned or something along those lines?

In that case, I don't think it should be viewed differently by professionals. As long as what you're doing is not harmful for the baby (pills/drugs/alcohol/etc) and you don't intend to kill yourself, I think they should have the same level of concern as before.

[SheHulk07]

I spoke to my group T about this and she said it wouldn't change how she views me as a person. And my therapist hasn't said anything specifically about sh and pregnancy. He's more concerned that the last place I cut I told him I did it because It was easily hidden along my underwear line and easier to cut.

[healingme4me]

Originally Posted by AmyFed07

I spoke to my group T about this and she said it wouldn't change how she views me as a person. And my therapist hasn't said anything specifically about sh and pregnancy. He's more concerned that the last place I cut I told him I did it because It was easily hidden along my underwear line and easier to cut.

Your OB/Gyn could wind up concerned, depending on placement, and risk of infection, etc, if you needed an emergency csection, would be my concern.

What's different in the last six months than before?



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[SheHulk07]

Originally Posted by healingme4me

Your OB/Gyn could wind up concerned, depending on placement, and risk of infection, etc, if you needed an emergency csection, would be my concern.

What's different in the last six months than before?



Sent from my LGMS323 using Tapatalk

I've struggled since November / December. I had to have surgery to remove my spleen, ended up having a blood clot in my lungs afterwards, and spent Christmas in the hospital. Had to take a semester off nursing school due to the complications, which I've never have taken any time off school. Also I've been dealing with my oldest son and his sensory issues and dealing with his school. Dealing with that plus having my oldest brother living with me and struggling financially. It has all taken an emotional toll on me.