From the article: Top 10 Pregnancy Questions for Women with MS
The decision to have a baby is always influenced by many factors - emotions, health, finances and other circumstances all play a role. For women with MS, there are additional things to consider and questions that swirl around this decision: Will I have enough energy to raise a child or will I need help? Will I breastfeed or start back on treatment right after the baby is born? How will a pregnancy affect my health? Is this a good idea? Share your thoughts and experiences on pregnancy and motherhood and learn how others answered these questions for themselves.
Share Your Story
MS and children abnormalitys
- Hi. I am thinking of trying to have a child. I was diagnosed with MS when i was young. Do i need to come off my medicine completly so my child doesnt have abnormailities or can i stay onthem please email back xcountrywalker@yahoo.com
- —Guest Paige
2 Babies
- In 2007 was diagnosed with accute transverse mielitis, but told that it would most likely develop into MS. My daughter had just turned 1. We decided to have second before going on treatment. I got pregnant in February of 2008 and miscarried in the first trimester. We waited for 2 normal cycles and tried again and got pregnant with my second daughter that was born in April 2009. Looking back, I am thinking that the miscarriage might have happended because I was under alot of stress. I had just been given the news about the MS, had had several MRI's, spine tap... My pregnancies and daughters were/are normal. Everything was fine, no symptoms, or major relapses after the miscarriage or the birth of my second daughter. (I occasionally feel some tingling in my feet). We are now contemplating a third, but I think I should go on treatment, (it has been over 4 years since I have known about this condition). Has anyone else gone this long without treatment?
- —Guest ms mom
Guest Soo
- I am 34 weeks pregnant and have not experienced the promised relief from my MS. I am thrilled at starting a family at the age of 40 but heartbroken at no change. I feel quite cheated, really. I am reminded of my MS every single day.
- —Guest Guest Soo
MS symptoms, abnormal MRI and now 8 week
- I am a 33 year old female. My husband and I are now 8 weeks pregnant with our 1st. I have had bouts of vertigo since I was 25. At 4 weeks pregnant, I developed a very intense headache at the base of my scalp and woke the following morning to the right side of my face numb. The numbness persisted for 2-3 weeks, I saw a neurologist and have an MRI which showed abnormalities. My nephrologist would like me to have a spinal tap to confirm MS diagnosis. Since I am 8 weeks pregnant, I am hesitant to have the tap and potentially introduce further complications to my pregnancy. My husband and I feel that while I am pregnant I will not be able I receive treatment/ drugs so why rush to have these tests to simply diagnose. I'm wondering if any other women with MS found out while they were pregnant OR how you feel about waiting to diagnose after birth? I am very scared to have the tap, and scared to lose the pregnancy. Any support and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
- —Guest Bdub
Newly diagnosed and trying for baby#2
- I was just diagnosed on Oct 29 20,2011 with RRMS. The only symptoms I have had is numbness in the fingers and hands and loss of sensation in my arms. It is hard to accept when I feel fine. I have had 2 abnormal mri's. My daughter is 15 months old and my husband and i trying for baby #2 now. My cycles are trying to become regular now that that I've cut back on breastfeeding only nursing at night. I hope to get pregnant as soon as possible as my neurologist says being pregnant is the best treatment for MS. It is extremely important to me to breastfeeding our next baby and kamel ling to take the risk of possibly having another relapse while doing so. Does anyone have any experience with this? I am afraid also since I'm not immediately going on treatment that I am taking a chance of another relapse occurring before I become pregnant again. I am scared and trying to get pregnant ASAP. The neurologist says you can't take any medicine while pregnant or after pregnancy if your are nursing.
- —Guest Kaverie13
Any tips for coping with MS baby
- I am looking for any tips and coping strategies that I may be able to pass on to people I work with to help with the emotional implications of coping with MS and being a new mum. Any tips in convincing self and family of the ability to cope as normally as possible would be greatfully received. It would be very interesting to hear from real life people rather than text book scenarios. Thank you and wishing you all the very best for the future
- —becauseicare
Want to have a baby!!!
- I am 36 year old have had MS for the last 10 years. My fiancee has been very supportive from day one and were thinking about getting me off the meds for 3 months and then start trying. I'm a bit scared because I don't know what to expect. Been on Avonex for 10 years. I have a weak left leg. I'm able to walk fine but sometimes I tend to limp. I fell 3 times over the last 10 years I work out 5 times a week at the gym I do a lot of leg exercises I'm very healthy don't smoke and I take Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin D and my multi vitamins. I eat very well. I'm afraid while I'm pregnant I may fall because of my weak leg. If anyone has every gone through what I m going through right now please respond or has had symptoms concerning there mobiltiy to walk while being pregnant??
- —Koukla01
my pregnancy and my m.s
- i was diagosed in 2007 when i was 21,at that point i wasnt really thinking about children although i knew i wanted them.i got married in 2009 and then started thinking about kids,id had 5 pretty serious relapses in that time and was terrified at the thought of not being capable.i was veru lucky to get pregnant pretty quickly and i had a great pregnancy until 20 weeks when i developed pre eclampsia,which i now know can be avoided with zinc,vitamin d,calsium,magnesium and a few other suppliments.my daughter was born in july 2011 at 4lbs 7oz but was perfectly healthy,i was symptom free during my pregnancy and havent had a relapse since.its hard having m.s and being a parent but it should never stop you from having children unless you really dont want to.i am now pregnant with my second child and my 1st is onlt 14 months.its going to be a struggle i know but with good support and a healthy outlook its going to be wonderful.m.s doesnt mean your plans should change alltogether.live your life
- —Guest stephanie
IVIG an option
- Wife is preggers with our first at 23 years old. she was diagnosed with MS five years ago. Her symptoms have not gone away either, however she is/has been on IVIG since she was diagnosed and they say it is completely healthy to have when pregnant. This may be an option for some mothers to be who are not getting relief from their MS symptoms
- —Guest IVIG and Pregnancy
Inheriting ms?
- 2% chance of inheriting ms? Not to make any scared but My mother and brother were both diagnosed with ms and this February 2011 I also was diagnosed with ms. Now my husband and I both decided we wanted to start a family, what are we suppose to believe? Anyone else have it in their families? I'm just feeling nervous and confused..
- —Guest Confused
Pregnancy
- I am 14 weeks pregnant, very scared as I was dignoised in 2010 with MS. I had a my first relaspse when I was still breastfeeding my son and he was 6 months old. I was under a lot of pressure that year so i can see why I had a relaspse. My Son is going to be 3 in August so very concerned with having and child and him being so young. My mothers thinks I am selfish by keeping the baby as I have a 13 year old and a soon to be 3 year old. the last relasplse I had affected my mobility so I can walk but I do suffer fron diffrent temperature in the weather. I would like to hear from other mothers who have young children and have recently have had babies with MS. I do not know what to do for the best as I want to keep the baby but do not know what the outcome will be.
- —sarahjohn123
Thanks
- I was recently diagnosed about a week ago. I started having symptoms of vertigo and was diagnosed with Vestibular Neuronitis 3 weeks ago but when the symptoms would not go away I took a MRI last Friday and that when they told me. I was told I am having my first attack. My balance is a little off and I am blured in the right eye. Since the diagnosis of Vestinular Neuronitis 3 weeks ago I have improved a little with my balance and my eyes. I would really like to have a child before I start treatment, but not sure if I should just wait to start treatment or start now and then stop when we know without a shadow of a doubt we are prepared to have a child. I am praying for guidance because all the neurologist said to me at my last appointment is ok well we will see you after you have the baby to start your treatment or we will see you when you are ready to start your treatment. Is there anyone who can offer me any advice on if I should start treatment now or wait.
- —Guest Recently Diagnosed
little scared at the minute
- I am 7 weeks now, 30 yrs old and already have two beautiful kids. My Family are not supporting me in having the baby in fact my mum won't even talk to me about the matter. Although my partner and are really happy, we didn't think it would happen this fast. I wasn't off all my meds and only missed one month of tysbiri treatment. Now I'm worried that there will some damage done to the baby due to same. Is there anyone who found themselves in the same situation as myself if so could you give me advice???/
- —wowthirdbaby
Took copaxone with pregnancy Dr adv
- H I was taking Betaferon but not tolerating it at all well-so stopped & as my Ms relapses had seemingly lessened my husband & I decided to try for a baby (after 13 years of marriage!!-we were late starters) My neurologist was away for much of my pregnancy & I did not try to see her anyway-I think I was pretending that I didn`t have MS-(diagnosed April 1992)-so our first child was born in Jan 1999 after a perfect pregnancy-I was so symptom free that I think I believed I no longer had MS-bit of a mistake.I breastfed my baby girl & passed what I believed was the relapse danger zone (4 months post-partum).Unfortunately I was very much mistaken & had a v.bad relapse at this time-left me with chronic pain for the last 10 yrs(cont to b/f while on meth-pred-discarding first expressed feed) Had a perfect baby boy in 2003-great pregnancy- stayed on Copaxone as my Dr felt that my Ms was fairly active & didn`t want to risk another attack-my advice is to talk to yr Dr re continuing to take meds.
- —Guest Nene64
diagnosed 1978
- I was diagnosed in 1978 after the birth of my 2nd child, Had 3 bad relapses in first 2 years after birth. I also had a 3rd child 8 yrs later. I was fine during all pregnancies, just the normal MS signs, that let you know you have MS,(just in case you forget!) numbness, tingling, blurded vision etc. As my diagnosis was pre dmds I cannot comment on what affect or not they have on a pregnancy. But I do know of someone who fell pregnant whilst on them and didn't know she was pregnant until 6mths. She had a healthy normal baby. You pay yer money and make your choice, It has to be an individual decision. My own view I wouldn't be with out my children. i wish you all well in your decision. x
- —Guest Mum of 3
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