Dear Community,
Have you, like us, lost count of how many times your doctor has asked, "Are you pregnant or planning to be?" Perhaps those conversations leave you feeling overwhelmed, confused about medication, or utterly alone in the face of countless unknowns about conceiving and carrying a baby? If so, we hear you. You are absolutely not alone.
Here at InflamMed, we know firsthand the ache of feeling seen as "complicated rather than complex", and the significant information gap concerning fertility and pregnancy for individuals with chronic inflammation and illnesses.
That's precisely why we're so incredibly proud to launch InflamMed's Pregnancy Series, passionately led by our own Elyse Robi! This vital series aims to provide essential medical and community support, offering a crucial space to dive into the questions, fears, and realities of this unique journey.
For our first bi-weekly dispatch, we will be sharing Elyse’s profoundly moving story about her journey with Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) and Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction (PSD) during pregnancy. Elyse’s experience vividly highlights the immense physical and emotional toll of chronic pain during pregnancy, where her symptoms were too often dismissed or misunderstood by healthcare providers. She felt "left on [her] own to figure out how to get through this", leading to her powerful call for a "fundamental shift in how we understand and treat maternal health challenges".
Most importantly, Elyse's story doesn't just validate; it also offers practical strategies and support for managing PGP, including actionable tips on physical positioning, mobility, pain management, and mental health resources. This is about providing the tools shewished she'd had.
We invite you to read Elyse’s story and join us as we figure this out—together. Over the coming weeks, we will delve into more vital topics, from navigating fertility with a chronic condition and the emotional toll of high-risk pregnancy, to postpartum adjustments and the future of reproductive care.
We are committed to empowering you with knowledge, validating your experiences, and advocating for the comprehensive, compassionate care you truly deserve. Thanks for sticking with us.
📬 Stay tuned as we explore fertility, medication decisions, postpartum transitions, and more.
Prevention Isn’t New — But It Still Isn’t Whole
The UK government has just released its long-awaited 10-Year Health Plan for England— and we’re glad to see prevention finally getting the attention it deserves. After years of crisis-mode medicine, this shift is long overdue.
The plan highlights mental health as central to wellbeing. It echoes what we’ve long said: prevention must come before reaction.
But there’s one glaring omission: nature.
There’s no mention — not one — of how access to green space supports physical and mental health, even though the evidence is staggering:
Growing up near green space can reduce adult mental health issues by 55%
Green neighbourhoods lower the risk of depression by 16% and anxiety by 14%
Biodiversity strengthens both ecosystems and our immune systems!
What if doctors routinely prescribed time outdoors? (If interested please check out our podcast episode with GP Dr Hannah Coysh who talks more on this topic and why she is prescribing time in nature to her patients).
Scotland’s Green Health Partnerships show it can be done. It’s time England caught up.
If we’re serious about prevention, we must stop separating human health from ecological health.
Thanks for sticking with us.
Whether you’re navigating pregnancy, policy, or just trying to get through another week with chronic inflammation, we’re glad you’re here.
Warmly,
Team InflamMed