Is it safe to have a baby???

[Dannichiari]

Hello!
As some of you may know I have arnold chiari malformation, syrongymelia and hydrocephalus, I have had 12 operations and I must admitt I do suffer with pain. My last operation was a year ago. I know a few women who have Arnold chiari malformation and have children, but would it be safe for me to have a baby? Would I be able to get pregnant safely and would I be able to carry for 9 months? My partner is worried that I am not well enough yet because I get pain on a daily basis, however the way I see it is that I will always have pain, surely that shouldn't stop us having a child? Any advice regarding this would be very much appreciated, I feel as though I am ready to become a mum.

Thank you
Xxxx

[tink_0427]

I have had 3 pregnancies which produced 3 beautiful boys. I was diagnosed with Chiari when I got an MRI 6 weeks after I had my last son. My headaches flared up and became horrible during my last pregnancy.
I did, however, have all 3 of my children c-section (I have huge babies and I'm not a very big girl). My husband and I have not decided whether another baby is in the cards for us or not...

[nurseling07]

I had my daughter just before I found out about my chiari. I had an emergency c-section only because she was a large baby. I did have some dizziness and headaches while pushing but since you know ahead of time they would be able to
schedule a planned cesarean and I would think you and your baby would be fine. Of course I would ask both your NS and OB/GYN before hand. Best of luck with your growing family :-)

[Dannichiari]

Wow! Thank you girls for all your advice, I wasn't expecting this much advice, and I'm very very greatful :) I do have a cat and a dog and it's hard just looking after them so I can see where people are coming from. I'm going to ask various doctors and get advice, but from what you all are saying I do think that having a child would be very hard and I don't wanna put that child through pain, I also don't want to mis carry, I do have a lot of problems, so I could be putting myself in danger. Thank you :)

How is everyone? I would like to know everyone's chiari experience.. I hope everyone is having a pain free day!

Danni
Xxx

[RheaAnn]

Thanks! It actually hadn't crossed my mind to look here for more threads! haha Checking them out now!
She carries title of Dr. bc of her Doctor of Nursing degree. She was practicing as a NP, but I believe now she is more research oriented.

[selmaS]

  I just wanted to point out that the books u r  referring to r co-written by Dr Oro and a Nurse Diane Mueller, she is not a Dr.

  And if u use the search thsi community feature u will find more threads on this topic including Diane Mueller.

[RheaAnn]

There are books written by Drs. John J Oro and Diane Mueller. I also read several (several!!) write ups about many studies that Dr. Mueller had performed on the research part of the website **********.***. She goes into some detail about patients with CM and their birth plans. These were studies that look back retrospectively, so they were not followed through out the whole process. Anyway, she may be the doctor with the most research into this particular area.

Best of luck!