pregnancy and chiari post surgery

[chiariRN]

Hi, any good pregnancy stories out there?
I had surgery Nov 2012. My NS told me my symptoms were acute. I went from hands tingly to numb, then progressed from tingly feet to numb. All within 6 weeks, buy the 3rd month I was walking pigeon toed, arms were stuck in front of my chest and my jaw was locked. I couldn't talk anymore. My neurologist and neurosurgeon kept miss diagnosing me, stating at first that it was just migraines then depression. I saw a new neurosurgeon, Dr. Edward Duckworth in Houston on a Monday. He did my surgery on that Friday and by the following Wednesday I was walking normal again. It's been 2 years and I've been great. I'm a nurse and returned back to work at the hospital. I occasionally get headaches and the tingling, but never as drastic add before. Now I'm planning kids but am really nervous. My husband is worried that my symptoms would get worse, I'm worried that our child to be diagnosed with the same condition. Seems like I can't catch a break. Anybody with good pregnancy stories out there?

[Lottida]

Hello there from one RN to another........I just wanted to say that you can also call your NS to discuss the natural delivery risks as well & have your NS call your OB-GYN to confirm that C-section is your best bet with a Chiari.  I would think that your OB would agree.  I know that the hereditary aspect is still so unclear.......I myself did not have children thank god, but only bcuz my husband had a decompression of Chiari 18 yrs ago & I was having trouble conceiving and would have needed to take fertility drugs (multiple births increases the risk even more).  Turns out God must have known better bcuz I found out that I have Chiari also & am now 6 weeks post decompression.   Never really here of a married couple both having Chiari, but so many people have children without issues while having a Chiari & hopefully so will you......sending best wishes your way!!!

[chiariRN]

That's incredible news. After reading so many people's complications, makes me feel hopeless. Thank you so much.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum

I was not DX'd with my Chiari until later in life...due to the fact when I went to Drs for my symptoms they 1- did not use or have MRI's in use for detecting issues like Chiari and when they did it was not a cost effective way to DX.2-finding a Dr that even knew what to look for or connect ALL my symptoms to one condition took a long time.

That said, I did have one child a girl when I was young....I knew something was wrong then....but I did have a natural birth.....

I would strongly suggest you get a book on Chiari and pregnancy by Diane Mueller who is a nurse and works with a Chiari NS and they co-write articles on Chiari and Syringomyelia.....and then discuss with your OBGYN....if you have a C-Section it may help prevent the straining of childbirth and  keep your symptoms from flaring.

BTW- my daughter is 30 and doing well....