This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hi

Sorry I have been awol for a while, I still mostly like to bury my head in the sand and pretend I don't have MS, despite the chair & crutches!!

I am 28 weeks pregnant and have just been told by the dr that she won't agree to a c-section yet. She wants me to try and give birth naturally first and resort to a section last. A previous Dr had basically ok'd it so I was a bit surprised by this. I'm now trying to decide what is for the best.

The MS affects my legs. They are weak & spasm frequently and give way. I struggle to walk because of this and dragging/dropping foot. The MS also affects my ability to go to the loo and I often struggle to go because I cannot make my muscles respond. I have also developed SPD in pregnancy and have severe pain in my hips and pelvis which will only get worse as the baby gets bigger. I honestly don't know if I can do it. I am not gung-ho for major surgery but would rather have it and keep the baby safe then fail at pushing and have to take a riskier option.

I also have doubts about the amount of experience the midwives have with disabled mums. None of the services I have used so far have been disabled friendly.

Does anyone have experience or advice about having a baby when you have MS? Did the MS affect it? Did you manage a 'natural' birth or did you need a c-section?

I would appreciate all advice as I am trying to decide what to do.

Thanks

George

Hey there Mrs G - congrats again to you!

I tried to have a natural birth but baby was lying in the wrong position - facing backwards. I was having contractions for over 8 hours and with no progress so I took an epidural at that stage. 5 hours after that still no progress and son went into distress, so I was given an immediate emergency C-section at that stage. I was relieved, to be honest. I was really tired by then and it was disheartening to keep hearing 'no, still no change' after hours of it. I too had SPD during the pregnancy. It's no joke that pain, and it is only recently - 3 years later - that mine has diminished and only after I've started Pilates.

The two things you mention, your weak/spasticity in legs and the bladder, may be less of an issue than you think. After I was given an epidural I had to lie in bed anyway, and they inserted an indwelling catheter, so that was that taken care of.

The physical recovery from a C-section was considerable for me - it's a lot more challenging than I thought and it took me quite a while to feel ok when moving. Because I rely on my core muscles a lot more for balance it hit me hard not to have them for a while.

I think you should do what you feel is best for you and your baby - that's the most important thing. Best of luck. x