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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 .  You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Jill

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

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