Hi all
I have not written for a while. My fisrt surgery was in December 04 where i had the bypass surgery and suffered a pretty major stoke .Since i last wrote in april 05 I have had 2 more surgeries. The in-direct bypass on both sides. The doctors have gived me the OK to have another baby but both myself and my husband are a bit nervous....mostly my husband. Just wondering how many people have had babies after their surgery and what special procedures that you need to take?
Can anyone help?
Cheers Emma

Hi Emma,
Great to hear from you - I sent you a PM over Xmas.
Well, I am going to relate my experiences so that others on this site can see that it is possible to have a baby after MM.  When I had my surgeries, I was taken off the pill and was not allowed to take it again (I am now on a progesterone only pill, which is low dose and apparently safe) so Chad  came along when we were least expecting it!!
Well my initial reaction was one of panic as I too, was really concerned that it would  endanger my health. An urgent phone call to my neurosurgeon about my concerns and all he could say to me was "congratulations!!". He did stipulate though that I would have to have a caesarean. I sought out the help of an obstetrician, who looked after me throughout the pregnancy, but ALWAYS consulted with my neurosurgeon AND neurologist. I actually had to see her more often than I did with my first child. Just to keep a check on my blood pressure (mine has never been high anyway - it has always been more on the low side and even with MM it was never high). When the time came I had an elective caesarean which meant we could choose the day we wanted to have Chad which was great, so I called my anaesthetist who did my STA-MCA's and he got accreditation for the hospital I was going to (it was a private one so this is why I could choose an elective caesar, and he worked through different hospitals, so he had to get "permission" to be at this particular hospital) He used a load of different anaesthetics with me and I had an epidural and was awake and Tony was there with me (It was actaully a fantastic experience as I had the anaesthetist, Brien, sitting at my left shoulder, holding my hand and giving me a running commentary of everything that was happening and had my husband Tony, at my right shoulder holding my other hand!!) The pain killers were different to the ones that they would have used with "normal" people and it took a while for the hospital to get me "happy" with my pain levels as Brien had already gone home, but he was available on his mobile if he was needed.
Chad is now nearly 3 and an absolute joy!
I had him when I was 39 and if he hadn't come along by accident I probably would'nt have had another baby as Cayle, my oldest, is autistic and I worried about him missing out if on attention if we had another baby. But Chad gets along so well with Cayle and helps him and they play together. If I wasn't 42 I would have another one in a heart beat without any second thought of MM. I believe you only live once and you need to take risks sometimes otherwise life just goes by and you are filled with regrets. But that's just me. If I was you I would talk to John Laidlaw and ask his advice and I am sure he would have the same attitude as my neurosurgeon and then get yourself a good obgyn to monitor you. Bearing in mind that they WILL NOT let you have a natural birth (which isn't a bad thing as I would opt for a caesar any day of the week over a natural birth  -  I've had both and my recovery from the caesarean was quicker than the natural birth) You won't be able to lift things or do vacuuming etc afterwards, but I think that has more to do with the caesarean than the MM. If you want to talk to my OBGYN her name is Margo Norman and is very approachable. She would be very interested to hear from you as she had never heard of MM when she met me and it was a learning experience for her. Her number is (08) 9400 9826 and she is based at the Joondalup Specialist centre. Remember that Perth is 2(?) hours behind Melbourne. I truly hope that you get the go ahead to have another baby and that you feel more at ease about it - Amy is so delightful!!
Also if you would like to talk directly to me or if your husband would like to talk to Tony PM me and I will give you my telephone number.

PS Chad was nearly full term - I had him at 38 weeks and he was a normal weight (3180 grams)
Love
Moira [smiley=hug.gif]

hey emma darling :)
i hope you and brad do manage to work out having another baby, Amy i just soooo beautiful! definitely need more precious souls like that in the world...
and if you do talk to John let me know what he says.. obviously it's not relevant for me at this exact time in my life but i sure will be having babies sometime...
i'm seeing him in 2 weeks so if i remember i might bring it up.
i'm still in qld but will be back in melb on th 17th.... see ya soon darl.
xo emily

Thanks Moira - I will make sure I show your posting to Brad - it is really helpful and reassuring to hear your story.

Emily - hope eveything goes well with Laidlaw.



Love Emma

Hi Moira -

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  I'm not ready to have babies yet- but it's been something on my mind ever since I've been diagnosed.  Your story was VERY reassuring and I truly appreciate your sharing.  I was told that when I get pregnent I will be considered high-risk and I will have to have a c-section.  I began thinking that adoption will be an alternative (which it still is!)...but hearing your story is truly insparational!  Thanks again!

-Shari

Hey , I forgot to mention that I also have type 1 diabetes and high blood pressure. Does anyone else have these two conditions, or am i just the luckly one!!!!

Emma

Hi Emma,

I hope all is well with you and your husband as you contemplate adding to the family... I just wanted to let you know that I have a very dear friend who had 2 indirect bypasses on both sides and has since gotten married, and they also have a healthy 5 year old son.  :D  Both she and Moira and living examples that MM survivors are able to give birth to healthy children after MM.  ;;D  My only suggestion would be to seek the advice of your doctors.  I do know that when I was pregnant, my blood pressure went up.

I do wish you and your hubby the best as you both contemplate whether or not you should have another baby... :)  

Take care,
Shan

My name is Carol and my daughter Jennifer find out she had MM in 2000.She had her surgeries and then we learned she was pregnant at that time.She did very good and had another baby in 2004.She felt good all the time she was pregnant.They didn't want her to have to push much so she only pushed at the every end.She had a speical doctor that knew about MM.I have heard of a lot of people that has done fine having children.
carols3471@sbcglobal.net

Hey Carol that's very interesting for me, so did you daughter have a natural birth and not a C section?

My daughter had a natural birth.The first one they had all kinds of doctor's and nurses in there in case something went wrong but everything went perfect and the last one she went to the Womens Hospital here in Houston and the doctor there knew about MM.She has never been sick since her surgeries except after the baby come and she went back to work but I think that was just stress and she was getting headaches.She is a funeral director so it was long hours and days.

Hi I am new to this so bare with me ok , I had a major stroke when I was five years old and I am 30 now . I am proud to say I have two wonderful children . The Doctors were telling me not to have my first Child due to the fact that I might have another stroke . I didn't listen to them at all and proved to everyone around me that I knew what was best for me not the Doctors . I took care of myself and made the right choice . I did however take the safe root and had two c- sectoins . Back when I had my stroke due to moya moya I didn't have surgery . Why I have no idea but 11 years after the fact the Doctors called me in to see them and wanted to do surgery on me . I was just turning 16 years old and never had another stroke , so I told them that I didn't want to have surgery due to the fact that I never had another stroke . Call me stupid but I truely think I know whats going on with my body better then Doctors do . Don't get me wrong the Doctors really helped me through alot but my advice is to listen to your own body . Doctors do know alot but not everything .

I don’t know the specifics of your case ivysblue, and while I agree that no one knows your body better than you do, that’s about all I can agree with. It saddens me to hear your outlook on MMD itself. It’s a monster disease if not taking seriously. I’ve seen first hand the worst that can happen. In most cases MMD is progressive, and doing nothing to prevent the possible catastrophic event awaiting a MM patient, when surgery can prevent it, is like playing Russian roulette with your life. We’re finally seeing doctors being able to successfully manage MMD, that’s a blessing, but to hear someone say they were advised to have surgery for their MMD, yet still do nothing for their future or for their children’s future, just breaks my heart.

You’ll be in my prayers, you’re gonna need them.

Mar

To Mar ,  I so sorry if I came off the way I did . I didn't mean too . I am not telling anyone to do what I have done in no way shape or form . I am just saying what I have experienced . If my children have this disease for sure I would make them have the surgery. For me though its a different story . Maybe when I was sixteen I was stupid but I think I did make the right choice for me . My Uncle is a doctor and he didn't understand it either when I didn't want the surgery done . , but I have been stroke free for 25 years and living life happily . I am blessed to be here and I do believe in God . Its Gods hands that helped me through these times . I  am also a strong believer in surgery but for my case I don't think it was needed .

Dear Ivysblue,

I agree with what both you and Mar have said.   You are the one who is in the best position to make decisions about what's best for you.  However, MM can be a monster, as Mar said.  The rate of progression from patient to patient can be different, but the bottom line is that it IS progressive.  

Are you periodically getting status-checks on your condition?  In the best interests of both you and your children, I would suggest sending your films and test results to a MM specialist for an opinion.  That way you'll have the peace of mind that you're safeguarding all of you to the best of your ability.

Just my [smiley=twocents.gif].  You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Jill  

Hello everyone!

I haven't been on in a long time, but I recently went through my second surgery(Dec '05).  Unfortunately, I'll probably have to go through it again on the right side (first one in Oct '04).  The new arterial growth has already become 42% occluded in a little over a year.  

But, that's not why I'm on here tonight.  I have a concern about getting pregnant.  Not that I'm looking to start over with my two children at 5 & 7, but I'm curious.  I have a boyfriend who loves children, mine included.  But, he is always talking about having a couple of his own.  And, I've tried to convince him that adoption is a good way to go; to no avail.  

My question is not whether I should get pregnant with MM.  I know the dangers.  I had a complete placental abruption with my son because my bp went through the roof and I had passed out during labor with my daughter(lack of oxygen, which caused a stroke that evening).  Both were premature, plus I've had 3 miscarriages and a stillborn baby.  All of them have been linked to my MM.  I have a 'team' of doctors looking after me, who work together when I need them.  My high risk OB-GYN has taken me through both of my children.  Uh-oh, I'm rambling.  Sorry.  [smiley=blush.gif]

What I'm curious about is if ANYONE knows whether this disease can be hereditary?  From the research I've done, and speaking with Jin Il, there isn't a proven link that it is hereditary.  I have no medical records for my biological family, and I'm of Korean descent.  My son has started to show signs of migraines and right-sided weakness.  I immediately took him to my neurologist.  Thank goodness, there are no signs of MM for him.  I hope that stays true.  He is on low dosage of Tegretol, and it seems to have helped.

So, if anyone has any suggestions or knowledge that could help me to find out if MMD is hereditary...please help.  Thank you all, and may God watch over each and every one of you.  Each of us are very special people to have been given the chance to survive this.

Lee

I'm not sure that I know the answer to your question, for sure, but I can tell you that both my brother and I have MM disease.  I had my operations in Nov. '04 and my brother had his in Nov. '05.  My dad passed away 11 years ago and we were told he either had a heart attack or an anuerysm.  We never did an autopsy on him then and now we wished we had.  He could very well have had MM.  Unfortunately, we'll never know.  My mom has never been tested, but does not have any signs of the disease.  

Hope this helps!  Good luck to you.  I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  

Michelle

Lee,
        From all I've heard and read they cannot prove it is hereditary but they're are quite a few familys that have been on this site that have had more than one family member with MMD, one family I believe had 3 children with it. My own opinion is that there is still so much not known about this disease that I wonder sometimes if it is hereditary and they just haven't had enough research and statistics to prove it yet...again my opinion.
                                     Nancy

I am responding to the original post about pregnancy. My daughter will be 1 on St. Patrick's day and I was diagnosed with MM in 1989... I had good doctors and it is absolutely possible!!

If you would like specifics, feel free to IM or email me!

Take Care!!

;) Sara