I really can't remember if I've asked this question before, but since many of my friends now are getting married/having children, this subject is really coming up in my head.

Have any of you, preferably the girls/women, have you ever been told not to have kids, or that the children might suffer problems etc, b/c you have CP?

My friends keep telling me I shouldn't have any difficulties, but I've been told by some of them that they get very tired, can't walk for a long period, etc.

I have a very mild case, but I'm just thinking how it will be possible for me at the very last couple months, with that big belly out front to walk! What if I lose balance, just trip and fall, what will happen? Or if I get too stressed out and my nerves rattle due to CP, will the baby suffer anything? I mean when I tense, will the babby feel anything, etc.

I know I'm way ahead of myself, but I was too embarassed to ask a doctor, mostly b/c it's not a concern yet...but it's sth I would like to know for the future...thanks :)

I really can't remember if I've asked this question before, but since many of my friends now are getting married/having children, this subject is really coming up in my head.

Have any of you, preferably the girls/women, have you ever been told not to have kids, or that the children might suffer problems etc, b/c you have CP?

My friends keep telling me I shouldn't have any difficulties, but I've been told by some of them that they get very tired, can't walk for a long period, etc.

I have a very mild case, but I'm just thinking how it will be possible for me at the very last couple months, with that big belly out front to walk! What if I lose balance, just trip and fall, what will happen? Or if I get too stressed out and my nerves rattle due to CP, will the baby suffer anything? I mean when I tense, will the babby feel anything, etc.

I know I'm way ahead of myself, but I was too embarassed to ask a doctor, mostly b/c it's not a concern yet...but it's sth I would like to know for the future...thanks :)

Hi Hope, It is very understandable that you would have concerns regarding pregnancy. I wouldnt think (of course i dont know your medical history) that there would be a problem with you having a child.

It is also understandable that you have concerns in regards to tiring while walking, not being able to walk long distances, as well as the big belly and losing balance and falling. Rest assured, these are all problems that most pregnant woman endure. When a woman is in her third trimester of pregnancy she is at high risk of falls due to her big tummy and being very easily knocked off balance. Statistics show that falls in pregnant woman in their third trimester are due to a lack of balance.

Many woman with CP give birth to beautiful healthy babies everyday, and just because they have CP doesnt mean that it will cause any ill effects for the baby. As far as you getting stressed out and tensing up, should that become a problem for you, you would be being followed closely by an Obstetrician so all you would need to do is bring the issue to the attention of the doctor and he/she would help you to manage it.

When the time is right for you to have a baby, dont be embarassed to discuss all your concerns with your doctor! After all, that is what they are there for!

Wishing you luck,
ValleyGurl

I really can't remember if I've asked this question before, but since many of my friends now are getting married/having children, this subject is really coming up in my head.

Have any of you, preferably the girls/women, have you ever been told not to have kids, or that the children might suffer problems etc, b/c you have CP?

My friends keep telling me I shouldn't have any difficulties, but I've been told by some of them that they get very tired, can't walk for a long period, etc.

I have a very mild case, but I'm just thinking how it will be possible for me at the very last couple months, with that big belly out front to walk! What if I lose balance, just trip and fall, what will happen? Or if I get too stressed out and my nerves rattle due to CP, will the baby suffer anything? I mean when I tense, will the babby feel anything, etc.

I know I'm way ahead of myself, but I was too embarassed to ask a doctor, mostly b/c it's not a concern yet...but it's sth I would like to know for the future...thanks :)

Hi Hope,

Your concerns are understandable! What are your limitations of your CP? Example: can you use both hands verses one hand? How well can you walk unaided,etc.... I am a 38 year old woman with spastic CP on the left side. I am unable to use my arm/hand at all. I can walk very well as long as I wear my AFO. Due to this I am able to conduct a very normal life style. I gave birth to three healthy children when I was age 20, 22, and 23 years. My pregnancies went very well. In the third tri mester the only thing that I had problems with was sore hips. My left side is 2 inches smaller than my right. But other than that it was fine. In my first pregnancy my doctor wanted me to deliver vaginal but due to fetal distress I had to have a c section. That is when they discovered my birth canel was to small to deliver vaginally. My next two pregnancies were fine as well. I also had c sections. My 3 children were born with no health or disability problems. This was a concern to my family and they all told me that I should not have kids, but I did not listen to them and I am glad I didn't.
Talk with your doctors. Don't be shy, let them know your concerns and they will guide you in the right direction.

Thank you so much, the both of you.

You know, I think my concerns really lie in the fact I really want children, and the idea that my child could be born with a problem as a result of my problem scares me so much. I don't think I would bear that, it would hurt tremendously.

Well I'm very, very independent, my problem hardly shows at all. It's just that when I'm really nervous my body tenses, I become stiff and I might shake. That's about it. But I've understood this is all psychological than physical, so I'm working on it. My left hand is fine, however my right has difficulty grabbing a cup, let's say. It's a bit "loose" so I'm working to strengthen it all I can. My walking is absolutely fine, I may loose my balance on a subway, walking on a moving bus, and I've realized it's mostly b/c I tense up. And my speech is a bit slow, but very clear nontheless.

I guess b/c all my friends are settling down & having kids, I think this is why I'm really thinking about it. I'm going to be 29 in Oct, so I just have this overwhelming feeling of really wanting a child/children. Hoping I met "husband" very soo, lol...I really can't wait. I'm always dreaming about what it will be like feeling my baby move inside me, and then holding it when they give it to me. Oh well, I hope it happens soon. Just praying everything will happen fine, and one day soon!! Best wishes to both :)