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When you're pregnant, what are your biggest concerns?
Having my shunt fail during labour/delivery and spending the first 2 weeks of Abbey-Jeanne's life recovering from surgery.
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If you have been pregnant with IH, what treatments, if any, where you able to continue? (This applies to all meds - pain and meds such as Diamox, as well as LP's and shunts).
I have a VP shunt so I don't take meds. I have had no special restrictions/considerations, and my neurosurgeon has cleared me for natural childbirth.
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What treatments needed to be modified?
None
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If you have been pregnant with IH, how would you rate the overall pregnancy, in terms of "ease" (if there is such a thing!). Please rate on a 1-10 scale, 1 being the easiest, 10 being very difficult.(Remember, in relation to IH and associated symptoms/conditions).
I had really, really, really bad morning sickness for the first 17 weeks.
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Have you had children prior to IH diagnosis? Was that pregnancy the same, easier, or more difficult?
My first pregnancy was easier because I was 20, as opposed to 35 with this one!!
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Did you experience remission while pregnant? Were your IH symptoms less noticeable, or were you more aware of them?
I have been symptom free with a wonderful vp shunt for 8 years
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If you experienced an ease in symptoms during your pregnancy, did they develop again after giving birth? If they did, how long after delivery did they develop?
I will let you know in November when Abbey-Jeanne is born!!
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If you've answered the above questions (you were pregnant with IH), how was the baby delivered? (Example, C-Section).
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How many people (this applies to everyone), were advised they couldn't or shouldn't get pregnant with IH? What was the reasoningfor this advice?
I was told pregnancy would be easily managed with the shunt.
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Would you have another baby with IH (without thought to cost or situation - would you do it again?)
Yes I would.
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What advice and tips would you offer someone who becomes pregnant with IH? Someone considering it?
Because I've had such a great shunt experience, I would advise anyone considering pregnancy to get a shunt before conceiving. I have heard rumours of some people who have gone into remission during pregnancy, but wouldn't want to bet on it. I wonder if the reason for remission during pregnancy is the higher metabolism we experience? I am carrying a normal-sized 31 week old fetus, yet I haven't gained any weight. My doc says that's ok because I'm a bigger girl to begin with but I'm still curious because I eat a *lot* more than I normally do!
I would also try to find an obstetrician that is keen on natural childbirth. I am using the "hypnobirthing" method that does NOT require the hold-your-breath-til-you're-purple and forcefully push the baby out. This method relies on deep relaxation, meditation, and the natural use of our muscles to birth the baby. There is research that the old-fashioned "purple pushing" doesn't take that much less time than letting our bodies do the work. Anyway...lol...I could go on and on. Please feel free to include my email address in this post if anyone would like to ask more questions.
