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30.01.2019 10:31:06
Beaming with joy, Maria Wackernagel says about her six-month-old twins, Ben Charles and Leone Bruce. “Both of them grow very fast. Their first teeth are gradually coming out!” rejoices the resident of Dresden. On March 28, 2017, for the first time in her life, she became a mother. However, this could not have happened, because Maria Wackernagel is one of about 40,000 women per year suffering from endometriosis and having much less chances of becoming pregnant.
The 29-year-old woman had complained of intermittent severe pain for a long time. The family doctor could not explain these incomprehensible pains. He saw no reason for further examinations and supposed that those symptoms had psychosomatic causes.
“So long as many women suffer from recurrent pain, patients who are really sick with endometriosis are often not taken seriously. This can sometimes last up to seven years until doctors discover a disease,” explains Pauline Wimberger, Director of the Clinic. In this regard, the University Clinic recommends that doctors should pay close attention to their patients and ask them about their complaints. Besides, if endometriosis is suspected, an ultrasound examination of the kidneys should be performed.
First, on her mother-in-law’s advice, Wackernagel found the courage to consult a new doctor. She arranged to see a doctor at the only Saxony’s Centre for endometriosis treatment at the University Hospital Dresden. In December 2014, for the first time the chronic disease was suspected.
Wackernagel and her husband decided to learn more about the disease first and to begin treatment after the wedding. “We first wanted to know what we want,” explains the mother. After the wedding, it became clear to the young family that they want to have children.
In June 2016, Wackernagel underwent the required laparoscopy. It also made it possible to form the final diagnosis, to remove adhesions of the affected organs and separate the ureter. The patient was suffering from a severe form of the disease and had damage because of the lack of treatment. During surgery, the doctors managed to remove all the noticeable manifestations of endometriosis.
After the final hormonal stimulation of the ovaries, Wackernagel was ready for artificial impregnation. At her request, the embryo was transferred on her birthday. “It was really the best present!” she rejoices. During pregnancy, the clinic supported her “very well”. With special pleasure, she recalls the time spent in the delivery room. There she saw many familiar doctors who also rejoiced at the birth of her children, Ben Charles and Leon Bruce.
As she recalls, she had a neighbour in the hospital room, who also had endometriosis. At first she did not talk to her, but then the common fate made them closer and they still maintain contact. “It is really important for patients to talk about the disease. Unfortunately, this is a taboo topic for many people,” says Wackernagel.
It is the informational events devoted to endometriosis which take place every fortnight in the clinic that should serve as a place where patients can exchange their impressions. “What one-time patients who now have children talked about there gave me courage and hope,” says Wackernagel. Now having two sons, the 29-year-old woman is especially glad. “Mrs. Wackernagel has really suffered a lot,” explains her doctor in charge Maren Goeckenjan. “However, she did cope with this situation in an exemplary manner and has matured very much.”
