Hi All, has anyone had any experience with caring for a woman with primary lymphedema?
A friend of mine has this condition and is 24/40 at the moment. Her symptoms haven't worsened through the pregnancy up to this point. I have had a look at a few databases and texts and it seems there hasn't been any research done in this area and there aren't any guidelines for management of pregnancy/birth for these women. So I'm looking for any anecdotal evidence in this area. It seems that the real risk in this situation is with postpartum infection, so logic would say avoid acquiring a caesarean wound. But she has been told that excessive pushing during 2nd stage could be problematic for her in that most of the lymph nodes she's missing are in her groin and her edema is in her legs. What do you think? Many thanks, Katrina Flora Student Midwife, 2nd year ACU
