ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: epifania74 on November 12, 2008, 07:04:52 pm
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Hello ANers!!
Yes it's me again..just a little question. ??? ??? ??? My husband and I want to have more children..just want to know if drs will just say because you had a AN you're likely to be high risk. So no pushing for you just a C section because something might pop in there while I'm trying to push..My mum doesn't want me to go through childbirth or labour as something could go wrong. Of course I just nod my head, but know I'll still want to have kids. I'll let her have her say.
I know... I know ask my specialist since every case is different..but want to know from other ANers did they have a normal birth or just get regarded high risk no questions asked. Won't be seeing my specialist until February of next year...just want to know different accounts since Feb is a long long wait till then..Hmm guess I'll be twiddling my thumbs until then lucky I have this site to keep my thoughts occupied.
Anyone out there that can help..thoughts and feelings are much appreciated. :-* :-*
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**waving hand**
I can answer this one!
I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant with my third. My first two were born before the whole AN thing (the AN was diagnosed when my second baby was 4 months old) and my doctors/midwives are all fully aware of my history. And it doesn't change a darn thing about my pregnancy. Nada. Zippo. And, quite frankly, there's no way I'd allow myself to be considered high-risk soley because of the AN. (Of course, I have some very strong opinions about how pregnancy and childbirth are managed in this country, but that's a whole 'nother topic!)
That beings said, my first two births were super-easy. Those kids just slid right out practically on their own. So I don't expect to be pushing for hours and hours. You should definitely talk with your doctors, but my surgeons weren't even remotely concerned about the pushing during delivery doing anything to my head.
My only concession to my AN with regards to my pregnancy is that I will have another MRI shortly after this baby is born. My AN seemed to be estrogen sensitive (it grew much faster than normal which everyone suspects was because of the extra hormones in my body during my pregnancies and breast-feeding). So even though the surgeons report that the entire tumor was removed 2 years ago, I want another MRI to make sure there aren't leftover cells that started feeding on the hormones this time.
Please let me know if I can answer any questions for you! And I'll definitely let you know how childbirth goes! ;)
Katie
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Hi!
I can't answer this in quite the same CURRENT state as Katie, but I can at least chime in! ;D I had surgery when I was 25 & had only been married for a little over a year - we were just then starting to start a family (LITERALLY - I got off birth control on Wed and had an MRI the following Mon). Obviously, that had to wait. I have gone on to have 3 beautiful girlies (see my blog - address below)! I had some problems STAYING pregnant but that IN NO WAY was related to my AN - just MY body! I was NEVER considered "HIGH RISK" because of the AN. I was like Katie in that I had VERY easy births (maybe God blesses us since we have already been thru so much!). My 1st I had in 3 hours - start to finish (2 pushes), my 2nd in 2 hours, and the 3rd in 46 minutes - she just kind of slid right out!! Funny thing...on the 3rd, the Dr. got the forceps ready b/c he said he didn't want me pushing...A) I didn't push and B) he delivered my 2nd and never used them or said that...WEIRD! Anyway, it was NO PROBLEM and certainly no C-section!! I think you should start now and then talk to the Dr. in Feb when you go - you have 9 months so why not get on that now!?? :o
K
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Thankyou both for chiming in..just put my mind at ease..I needed advice and yes I received it. Not from my nextdoor neighbour or aunty but fellow ANers who know what they are talking about. :D :D :D :D
I can now be rest assured and know its just a normal thing thankyou both!!! Was kinda getting worried when no-one was replying to my post like all hope was lost :'( :'( :'( :'(..Well have a good weekend from Sydney Australia. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Sometimes it just takes us Mama's a little longer to reply - we kind of have a few "others" to take care of!! ;D ;)
Glad you feel better!
K :D
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I have birth to my second son just over 1 year after the AN was removed.
I was TERRIFIED to get pregnant b/c of the hormone issues but was happy 3 months post surgery to be pregnant.
I discovered the AN when my oldest was 8 month old and all of my symptoms emerged when I was pregnant with him.
Anyway, I did have a c section only because my first ended the same way. I pushed for 2 hours the first time around with a 4 cm tumor in my head.
I was very very lucky that it ended in a c section.
Best to you.
Mary
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Hi...
I think i was also one of those whose tumors might have grown more&faster because of pregnancy... although this is just a guess. I did notice that my hearing deteriorated markedly during pregnancy and Bfeeding.
I had surgery 5 months ago and am keen to get pregs anytime ::). I discussed this with the docs ahead of time and before deciding on treatment. The surgeon i met (and went) with did not see any issues with trying to getting pregnant when i felt ready. One of the radiation docs that i met suggested that i wait 6-12 months after rads to start trying. I was a little considered about what might happen if i got pregs soon after rads and then had swelling 6+ months after treatment. Anyway, this was one of the reasons that i elected surgery, risks and all.
I wish you lots of healthy happy babes whenever you are ready. Maybe we will be pregs at the same time down the road! ;D
Trish
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Hello! Like many of the women here, my tumor was thought to be estrogen-sensitive also. I was diagnosed when pregnant w/my third baby, had the surgery when she was 2 months old. I had a natural child birth with her which was my best labor and birth. ( I had four babies) I became pregnant four years post-surgery, and had the same concerns. My doctor said it was fine, and I went on to have a normal, drug and intervention-free birth (not high risk) in a free-standing birth center with Nurse midwives, and was discharged to home four hours post-partum. I will admit the pregnancy was more difficult due to my disabilities after the surgery. I was more fatigued, dizzy, etc. I can't remember if my headaches were a problem, but they are always a problem so I imagine they were. My migraines increased after the birth of my fourth. I am now pregnant with my fifth, and I feel pretty terrible again. Most important is to have lots of support and take good care of yourself.