ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: Emer on September 13, 2005, 02:29:27 pm
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Hey there
I'm nearly 3 years post surgery and I found this web-site invaluable in the early days - talking to real people makes a huge difference. Now I have a whole difference set of questions! Since my surgery I've gotten married (postponed twice due to AN but third time lucky!) and am currently expecting a baby! Its very early so only immediate family members know but I'd really like to find out if someone else has delivered a baby post-surgery. I have a rather large "soft spot" in my skull and I just don't know if I'll be able to push! I think I might have to go down the caesaran route but I was just hoping for some real life advice.
Many thanks
Emer
(Dublin, Ireland)
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Congratulations on the baby!!! Children are such miracles. My daughter was one when I had my surgery but in doing the reserach re: having a second baby it seems a c-section is often recommended just in case. the pressure of pushing could be a little too much. Have you spoken to your obstetrician and neuro-surgeon regarding their recommendations?
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Hi there,
Thanks for your words. My neuro team told me to ask my gynae doc and I haven't been able to talk to him/her yet! As I said its very early days so I'm just gettting myself organised. As a case like this is not all that common I was looking for some other opinions first. If he/she said "well what do you think yourself" I'd be a bit nervous. I physically don't feel like I'd be able for the pressure of pushing for an extended period of time (and as this is baby no1 I've no frame of reference!) but if it was possible I'd like to go the most natural (!) way possible.
Thanks again and if I find any more info I'll post it up.
Emer :D
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Congratulations!
I was a Labor and Delivery nurse in a large medical center associated with a high risk antepartum unit. In other words, we treated many pregnant women with various medical problems. Some patients, for instance, with cardiac problems were advised not to push and some such as paraplegics were unable to push. Many of the patients delivered without needing a c-section despite not pushing.
Best Wishes,
Janet
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Really? How is that? As a complete novice I didn't think not pushing was an option! I was a c-section and I've no sisters to compare notes with.
Thanks for your help
Emer
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Hi,
Maybe this is a topic for another forum, but since you asked I am happy to give a short explaination. It probably does sound a little bewildering.
The force of contractions during the second stage of labor can (not always) bring the baby low enough to safely deliver the baby with the help of a vacuum extractor or sometimes forceps. There are more than a few reasons why patients can't or won't push. Just like AN surgery, the experience of the OB can be a variable as well as the size of the baby in relation to the pelvis. (There are many other variables.) With any pregnancy, a C/S is always a possibility and not being able to push increases the possibility but doesn't guarantee it.
I don't know if pushing is contraindicated post AN surgery. I think it would be the call of the neuro team. If it is OK from the neuro point of view, it should be OK from the OB standpoint. Keep us posted!
Janet
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Emer: my son was born just little more than eight years post-op from my resection, no problems and little did I know I had a regrowth present at the time, I found out about the regrowth when he was 2 months old and went on to have my daughter 3 years after that, again no problem. I had an epidural with both of them and my son was induced. I was monitored more closely during the pregnancies and they kept a good eye on my vitals during labour, I also stayed longer in the hospital (1-2 days longer) than the average woman. The only concern really might be that you are less years post-op? Maybe you shouold consult the surgeon who did the surgery for the a.n. early on in the pregnancy to get direction from him.
Kathleen
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Hi,
I had a completely normal pregnancy and a vaginal delivery only a year after my AN surgery! I thought I was dreaming when I found out I was pregnant only three months after my surgery! I called my surgeon's office and was told that there shouldn't be any complications with having a child after AN surgery. They said if I felt too much pressure in my head at the time of delivery, that a decision could be made to have an immediate C-section. I felt no difference with this birth with my body than I did the first two times I had children!! Not only did I get a beautiful girl, after having two boys, she was born on my birthday, within two weeks of my 1 year "anniversary" of my AN removal! The most precious gift I've ever been given! She has helped me recover tremendously! Best wishes! Feel free to contact me if you'd like to chat more!
--- Angela
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I had surgery to remove a 4+ cm tumor almost 2 years ago. I am 4 months pregnant with our fifth child and my doctors (surgeons and OB) feel that I should have no problems with the pregnancy/labor and delivery. Everything has gone well so far. I will post when the baby arrives (August) :)!
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Congratulations Lisa. I pray all goes well with you and yours.
Lynn
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Thanks everyone for your advice. I decided to go down the c-section route for a few reasons. The words "forceps" and "vacuum" sounded more distressful on the baby and also I believe an emergency c-section is more traumatic than an elective one. My an was >5cm and the "soft spot" left in my skull is large and still quite tender today so pushing really doesn't feel possible. Baby is due to make an appearance on the 4th of May (all going well) and my next little hurdle is the anaesthesist (my spelling is awful - my apologies!). My doctor told me its not his decision on whether I get a spinal or a general anaesthetic, its the anaesthesist that I get on the day. I REALLY don't want a general as my husband won't be allowed intot the theatre and I feel like we'll both be missing for the birth. I delighted to hear some of you got an epidural as I can use that as reference. If there was sound medical reasons for a general then ok, I'd live with it but I really don't want some lazy anaesthesist saying "ah I don't really know much about this an business so I'll just go with the general". Its is actually making me a bit anxious (time is fast approaching!) and I don't want to be stressed. My neuro team are really taking a back seat on this issue and your feed back has made me feel a lot better.
Thanks again
Emer
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Best of Luck Emer! Keep us posted when the new bundle arrives! vaccumma nd forceps would have got me too!
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Hi Emer
I'm glad you've made your decision and I wish you the best of luch.
I've been following this post as it is of great interest to me - i'm hoping to get pregnant soon. I've not had any previous children either. I am two years post op. It would be great if any women who have delivered a baby post op, post a description of their decision and experience.
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CONGRATULATIONS!! I had my daughter on 10/7/05 and then had my surgery for my tumor on 12/9/05. I did not get to bond very much but I sure get to now since I have been home and she is what is making me work even harder!!! Take care!! :D
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I understand your worry but I am sure everything will be fine. Before my daughter(who is now 3) and my son(16 months) I too was worried about pushing during delivery and I was hoping for a c-section. I consulted with my OB and my neurosurgeon and they consulted with each other and came to the consesus that there is no reason that I could not try vaginal delivery. They were right! I delivered both kids natural(even without epidurals :) You'll be surprised how your body just takes over and naturally takes charge of the delivery. Good luck!
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Hi again,
Things have gotten more confusing since my last post! I actually managed to speak to my neurosurgeon and he told me I can have a vaginal child birth if I want to - no risk of a bleed or anything like that. Now I have more options, I'm even more confused :-( they could have told me this 8 months ago and I would have had lots of time to think and prepare and decide. Now I have 6 weeks. No-one has mentioned anything about the pain from the soft spot in my skull.
Have any of you got soft spots in your skull? I know procdures can vary greatly in the US whereas here, its one way and that's it, so I have a hole in my head still (and alway will). Its has become less sensitive over the last 3/4 years but I'm still very aware of it. The last time I tried to push (not a baby!) the pain was so intense I thought I was going to black out.
eek - I'm so confused. ???
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Emer what sort of procedure did you have? I'm not sure why it is so painful for you. Was it translab? I have been curious about this topic myself. I don't know any AN sufferers who have had a baby....so the next best thing is to talk to women who have given birth. My sis in law told me that the pushing really comes from your lower body, not your head. Anyway, that does sound bit simplistic but apparently she swore that you don't feel the kind of pressure on your head that you feel when you sneeze. I too feel the sensitivity on that side of my head (translab) but it's more just a crampy sensitive feeling, not pain.
I feel for you. Are you terribly against a c section? Maybe that will just be best for you so that you don't have to worry about your head.
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I'm not very familar with AN terminology so I don't know if what I had was called translab. They went in, took a 3 inch circular piece out of my skull, took out most of my >5cm AN (the rest of it died away itself) and then sewed me back up! They left the piece of my skull out to allow for any swelling (every so often in the early days it would bulge out). They told me sinews and stuff like that would grow across it and it wouldn't be as sensitive (which it isn't) but as I said any sort of pushing hurts like hell. I heard that during child birth you shouldn't be pushing with your face or head (thats the wrong way) but its just such an "unknown". I was perfectly happy with a c-section all along but now that the choice is mine again, I'm not sure what to do for the best. I'm seeing my gynae consultant this evening so I'm hoping he can advise me now that we have some new information. I'll post up as soon as I can to let you know what he said.
I'm in the science industry by profession and I can't handle all these unknown variables ;D
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I had vaginal deliveries for both my children, with epidurals, and I pushed over 30 mins with each of them, I did not notice any head pain, I too have uncalcified area's in my skull and I did not notice any head discomfort during delivery or afterwards, my orginal surgery was 8 years before the birth of my first child and I consulted my neurosurgeon pre-delivery and he said there is no reason I couldn't deliver vaginally (my OB thought I needed to have c-section until he got a report from the surgeon).
If you want to have a vaginal delivery....go for it, if you're so afraid of head pain you may have a labour that doesn't progress and or push ineffectively (subconsciously holding back) so you have to be committed to it.
My labour wasn't progressing the first delivery as I was so afraid of the pain of the actual delivery, once I had the epidural and knew I wouldn't feel it, all went well. It wasn't something I was thinking consciously at the time but it was there in the back of my mind. I can clearly remember asking my OB during my preg. how painful delivery would be his responce was "it's nothing like the pain of brain surgery" and I can also remember yelling at him during the delivery "This ain't brain surgery ya know!" (indicating that I found it more painful.)..but looking back now it wasn't, I was just really nervous.
Kathleen
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Hi, I see Jana's post where she has had her kids post op and vaginally... however.... did you have the "hole in your head" as Emer did and I do from the retrosigmoid surgery....
I am hoping to get pregnant soon and am 3 years post op... still get massive headaches which are partially controlled by painkillers which I will have to stop as soon as I get pregnant.... sneezing or any kind of a strain or jolt can set off a really bad headache.... which is why I worry about a labour..... especially as there is a history of difficult births in my family... I'm just not sure I could go through the double pain of labour and being ripped apart by that as well as feeling like my head is going to fall off.... at this point even going the guts of 9 months without anything more than paracetemol seems ominous....
Any ideas..... I'm 33 and really can't leave having children much later...
Thanks
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Hi folks,
Well I'm a much happier camper today then I was yesterday! I had a good long chat with my consultant and we debated everything out. Bottom line is that we're opting for the c-section route. He made the point that if a stubborn bowel movement can cause me that much pain, then pushing a baby out will be 10 times harder. Of course everyone is different and even every pregnancy for the same woman is different but for me, in this situation, the c-section is the way to go. He said if I did choose the vaginal route and found at the last minute that I couldn't push, at that point he'd go for a forceps delivery over a c-section but given the choice he'd rather skip the middle man so to speak! He said the pressure in your skull does increase, even if its only to a small extent during pushing (lots of people end up with bloodshot eyes) so if I know in advance that my skull hurts, then its not worth the risk. I'm completely happy, now that the decision has been made, thats the hardest bit over (I don't think!)
Congratulations to all of you with beautiful babies and best of luck to all on the road, or on the way to the road! I'll let you know how I get on (in 5 weeks eek!) and until then, thanks for all your advice and encouragement.
Emer
xoxoxox
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Emer,
Congrats on the news and thrilled you were able to work it out and bring yourself some inner peace... just remind me not to drink the water you all drank! Rather enjoying being the single one... BUT, I have no qualms about being "Auntie Phyl" :) Already have 3 nephews and 1 niece! :)
Best to all you moms!
Phyl
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Hi Emer,
Did your have your AN out with Danny Rawluk at the Beaumont?.... In my previous post I assumed you did ... and that is why you and I both have that rather painful hole in the head... and it's true strains, including sneezingand coughing really do hurt... and it's one of my big worries with getting pregnant.....
All the best,
Sorcha
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Sorchac reading from your early comment I'd opt for a c section like emer did. Why put yourself at risk for something worse with pushing? Why do you have a hole in your head from retro? They put my skull back in place with titanium screws.
Before anyone else says it: Yeah, I guess that's why I'm a little screwy :-*
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Hi Sorcha
Yes Danny Rawluk was the main man for me :D
As far as I know, they leave the bit of skull out to allow for post-op swelling. Often I felt a "bulge" post-op but this hasn't happened in a long time. I'll let you know how my c-section goes, but I would try not to let that put you off if you're ready to have a baby otherwise. There are plenty of ways and means and other than the delivery, my surgery has had no effect on my pregnancy whatsoever. See there is life after brain surgery!!!!
Best of luck
Emer
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Emer we've not heard of any baby news..how are you holding up? Are you getting close? Please keep us informed on how you are doing..we all went to be honorary aunts! (or uncles) ;D
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Hi honorary aunties and uncles to be :)
I'm doing very well thank you. Baby bump is getting bigger by the hour and the walking incubator (as my husband calls me!) is happy and relaxed. My c-section is planned for this day 4 weeks (please God) and I'll definitely keep you all posted on how things go.
Take care
Emer
xoxox
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I'm so excited for you! Life will change as you know it but...for the most part it's a blessing (except when they become teenagers lol)
So you're going to have an Easter Baby...Please keep us posted when you're precious bundle gets here so we can all celebrate and oooh and ahhh!
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Hello Honounary Aunties and Uncles
I'm delighted to report baby James Thomas (Jamie to his friends!) was safely delivered into the world by c-section on the 4th of May 2006. He weighed 8 lbs 1 oz and was 21 inches long - I use the past tense cos he is growing in front of my eyes :D
For all of you considering a c-section, it was fine. Yes you're sore afterwards and you have to take it easy but hey after all we've been through its a walk in the park! Everyone who uses this site is a fighter and a survivor so we can handle anything!!!!
Thanks for all your advise and encouragement over the last few months.
Lots of love
Emer and Baby Jamie (named after his 2 grandads) ;D
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Congratulations!
How exciting!! Now you must post us a picture of our new nephew! ;D
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Emer, so happy for you. Congratulations.
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Angela, you are a brave woman. Props to you! I could never carry a baby so soon after surgery. Did you have a lot of balance problems?
Hi,
I had a completely normal pregnancy and a vaginal delivery only a year after my AN surgery! I thought I was dreaming when I found out I was pregnant only three months after my surgery! I called my surgeon's office and was told that there shouldn't be any complications with having a child after AN surgery. They said if I felt too much pressure in my head at the time of delivery, that a decision could be made to have an immediate C-section. I felt no difference with this birth with my body than I did the first two times I had children!! Not only did I get a beautiful girl, after having two boys, she was born on my birthday, within two weeks of my 1 year "anniversary" of my AN removal! The most precious gift I've ever been given! She has helped me recover tremendously! Best wishes! Feel free to contact me if you'd like to chat more!
--- Angela
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Sorcha: I have the big hole in my head and delivered both my children vaginally and pushing (no forcepts) and everything went just fine. Yes I had a headache afterwards but so does everyone. My point is that it can be done and is not that much worse than it is for the rest of the female population.( now remember through my first was born 8 years after my surgery)
Kathleen
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I had surgery in 2004 and i have a soft spot behind my ear which hurts if i push to go to the loo ;). I also have an ABI which is in another hole about 2 inches above the soft spot. My fiance and i are trying for a baby and this pushing business has been on my mind. After reading all this i'm to go for c-section when the time comes. Also i have had tumours removed from my spinal cord which has left it very sensative and painfall. So i think csection will be for me. But i will disscuss this with my NF2 consultant.
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RattieLady: You have NF II correct? Do/did you have/had spinal tumor/s as well....have you discussed how the added weight of being pregnant will be for you? Will you have to be on Bedrest in the latter stages? Have you had a consultation with a genetic's doctor before making this decision to have a child....not that having NF II is the worst thing in the world but what are the odd's a child you have will inherit this? I went to see a genetic's guy before having my son to find out if I had NF II (that is to get his best guess if I did or not) because I couldn't imagine trying to raise a child/ learn sign language myself and teach the child that as well in the event I became deaf one day in effort to stay alive.(mind you with gamma knife isn't the hearing preserved?, so with having that one wouldn't become totally deaf.)
Kathleen
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RattieLady: You have NF II correct? Do/did you have/had spinal tumor/s as well....have you discussed how the added weight of being pregnant will be for you? Will you have to be on Bedrest in the latter stages? Have you had a consultation with a genetic's doctor before making this decision to have a child....not that having NF II is the worst thing in the world but what are the odd's a child you have will inherit this? I went to see a genetic's guy before having my son to find out if I had NF II (that is to get his best guess if I did or not) because I couldn't imagine trying to raise a child/ learn sign language myself and teach the child that as well in the event I became deaf one day in effort to stay alive.(mind you with gamma knife isn't the hearing preserved?, so with having that one wouldn't become totally deaf.)
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
Yep i do have NF2. I've had one lot of spinal tumors removed but i still have more on it. No added weight hasn't been discussed with me. We did discuss with the genetics doctor about the chances of my child having NF2. They said it would be a 50/50 chance because my fiance hasn't got NF2, also they said that they can do a test on the baby early in the pregnancy to find out if the baby has NF2, we will be given a choice to continue with the pregnancy or not. I'm now 100% deaf but i don't do sign language because i have what called an ABI [Audiotory brainstem implant] This gives me 70 hearing. I works by sending the sound straight to the brain. It's not the same as normal hearing, it's like beeps andtone tones at different pitches and volumes. If someone talks to me while i'm not looking at them i can't understand a single word, but lipreading and the ABI together help my understand whats been said. The hospital i had it fitted at fit people who have NF2. There's only 2 of us from that hospital that have the ABI. If our child ends up with NF2 they will fit our child with one. If our child has NF2 i could not,not give that child a chance.
I'm seeing my NF2 consultant next month and i will discuss everything with him. All i want to do is be a mum, and i'm not letting NF2 stop that. One lady i know who has NF2 knowS a woman who's had 4 children and none of them have NF2. It started and ended with her.
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Just an update...
Bridget Claire
arrived at 5:48 p.m.
July 23, 2006     ÂÂ
5 pounds, 18 inches
I had no problems during the pregnancy, labor or delivery relating to the AN/surgery!
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Oh Lisa, Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! Babies are such a blessing! Enjoy!
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Congratulations! It's nice to see fabulous news like this.
Katie
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Congratulations!!!
Ellen