Think EDS and pregnancy is a straightforward conversation? Think again. In this jam-packed Office Hours episode, I dig into everything I wish someone had told me and everything I’ve since learned from patients, research, and my own pregnancies. From racing heart rates and failed epidurals to postpartum complications and misunderstood mental health shifts, we’re laying it all out. We explore rapid labor, prolapse risk, anesthetic resistance, dysautonomia flares, pelvic floor fragility, and why some babies bruise easier than doctors expect. Whether you're prepping for pregnancy, navigating birth, or recovering afterward, this is your roadmap for a more informed journey.

Takeaways:

Pregnancy with EDS or HSD isn't automatically high-risk, but it comes with specific concerns like tissue fragility, anesthesia resistance, and prolapse that OBs may overlook.

Labor can be rapid and unpredictable in people with connective tissue disorders, making delivery planning (and backup plans) especially important.

Local anesthetics may not work as expected, so communicating prior resistance to meds like lidocaine is crucial for anesthesia teams.

Postpartum recovery often takes longer, with higher risk of complications like joint instability, slow healing, and mental health shifts, including postpartum depression.

Medical students with EDS should choose specialties with pacing and physical demand in mind, considering how residency schedules and procedures might affect long-term career sustainability.

Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD?
Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠
X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠
Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/
Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd
Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start

Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them.

Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www\.bendybodiespodcast\.com/⁠⁠.
YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠

Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www\.human-content\.com⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠

Part of the Human Content Podcast Network

FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome
00:57 Special Guests and Episode Overview
01:41 Listener Question: Pregnancy and Childbirth
02:48 Medical Specialties for EDS and HSD
07:44 Personal Experiences with EDS in Medical School
13:03 Dr. Bluestein's Pregnancy and Childbirth Stories
20:22 Preconception and Pregnancy Tips for EDS and HSD
23:22 Managing Dysautonomia and Pregnancy
23:59 Musculoskeletal Changes During Pregnancy
25:05 Pelvic Health and Pain Management
27:43 Vascular Fragility and Bleeding Risks
29:57 Labor and Delivery Considerations
35:40 Postpartum Recovery and Mental Health
42:06 Resources and Support
43:59 Hypermobility Hacks and Merchandise
46:30 Closing Remarks and Community Engagement