Arnold Chiari and labor

[CoastieWife13]

Hey everyone, I'm 7 months pregnant and my OB recently told me that she needs to get a recommendation from a neurologist on whether I can have a natural birth or will need to have a C-section because of my Arnold Chiari malformation. We recently moved so I'm in the long process of trying to get established with a new neurologist, but was wondering in the mean time what others had done. Thanks in advance!

[selmaS]

   Glad  you  were  able  to  get  the records faxed  over.....but  would advise to  get  copies going  forward....just  in  case...

  Ohio  has  a  few  Chiari  Drs......do  take  a look  at  our  list  and  research  the drs  to  find  the  right  one  for  you.

[CoastieWife13]

Thank you for all your help. We are currently in Ohio. I did finally get ahold of someone who is facing over the records I needed. Our last station was the first time I had to worry about keeping track of records.

[selmaS]

  May  I  ask where  you  live...what  area?

Also, going  forward  request  copies  of ALL  testing  blood work  etc....when  you  go  for  a MRI  ask for  a copy on a disk and  for the report  to  be  sent...it  will make  things  a lot  easier.....

Once you  are  DX'd  with  Chiari you may  want  to look  into NS's  as  they  are more informed and  experienced with  Chiari and  related  conditions,,,more so  then a NL.

  Let  them  know  how  far  along you  are,,,,it  may help  and  ask  to be placed on the  cancellation  list...

[CoastieWife13]

Thank you! I've been trying to get in with a new neurologist for a little bit now, unfortunately my last neurologist has been less than helpful with forwarding my medical records. It took me two months to get an initial appointment with my last one, So I'm hoping the new one will be quicker. I'm getting nervous though!

[selmaS]

  Hi  and  welcome  to  the  Chiari  forum,

Congratulations on  your  pregnancy !!!

I  had  a natural birth  with  my  DD  but  had  no  idea  at  the time  I  had  Chiari....

You  will  want  to  find  a Chiari  specialist  in  your  area  to  let  you  know  what  is best  for  you  as  we  are  all  different,,...a  concern  for  those  with Chiari  is  we  can  have  related  conditions  that could  also  affect  delivery.....sleep  apnea, and  Ehlers-Danlos....so  do  talk  to  a  Dr  well  informed  on  ALL  related  conditions.We  do  have  a list  of Drs  to  use  to research the Drs.....you  do  not have  much  time  left  and it  can  take  a while  to be  seen.,...

A  good  name  to  research is  Diane  Mueller....she is a nurse  and  has  published  a few  articles  on Chiari  and pregnancy....some  can  have  a natural  birth...while  others  should  have  a C-section.