Pregnant with Chiari 1

[CarlyM28]

Hi Everyone,

I am 31 yrs old and recently diagnosed with Chiari 1 Malformation after severe headaches for 5 months with any type of straining/bending/lifting. Headaches are transient and last only a few seconds. Had an MRI 10/12/15 that showed a 6 mm cerebellar tonsillar herniation. I also just found out I am pregnant with baby #3 (10 weeks). My previous two children were born vaginally with epidurals without complications (besides mildly low platelet count). I saw a Neurosurgeon today who said I can absolutely NOT have another vaginal birth and that I also cannot have any epidural or spinal anesthesia. He recommended I have general anesthesia with a c-section to deliver. I am very nervous and scared for this. I am also disappointed I will not be able to hold or see my baby when he/she is born for a few hours at least.
This neurosurgeon is in the Penn Medicine network and does Chiari decompression surgeries, althought I'm not sure he is considered a "Chiari Specialist".

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it absolutely necessary I have a c-section under General anesthesia?

Does anyone know of a Chiari specialist in the Philadelphia region?

I'm just wondering if I should get a second opinion. I of course want to do whatever is safest for the baby and myself.

I am surely missing the ignorance and bliss that I had with my first two pregnancies :)

Thanks for any advice in advance!

Carly

[Tygerli11y]

I had two children before my diagnosis, first csection second vaginal both with epidural. My third pregnancy was last year when I had knowledge of my Chiari. My neurosurgeon recommended no epidural. I used nitrous oxide and delivered vaginally without issue. This happened to be the biggest of my babies as well.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I am up in Allentown , and tried Drs  in Philly and no there were none I would suggest you see....I went to NY after seeing a few NS's and was relieved to find a specialist and the traveling was well worth it for me....more so then the time to drive to Philly....

I had my daughter and no C section....and I had an epidural...BUT at the time I had no idea I had Chiari....

You may be able to deliver your third as you have your others   but again you could have troubles....the strain is what we need to avoid and why your Dr is suggesting the section....

I did have a problem with my epidural and had a CSF leak as a result...and in for 5 days.....

There is a article Pregnancy with Chiari and Syringomyelia.....it is by a nurse that works with Dr Oro....Diane Mueller....if you google her name you will find the info.....it may help you and your OBGYN guide you thru this pregnancy. Best wishes and congratulations on the pending birth <3