anyone else preggy with vp shunt ??

[Cloe]

Hi there,

I had a permanent shunt put in over 15 years ago. My doc says that everything should progress the same as a usual pregnancy. I am feeling more pain on the side on my belly where the tube descends but doc says that it is probably scar tissue. I'm still waiting on a call back from the neuro to know whether natural childbirth or c-section is advisable.

Almost 6 months in and Mom and baby look great.

Good luck

Hey there,

I had my shunt put in 6 years ago and I am currently 6 months pregnant too. Baby and I are fine so far into the pregnancy. Except for the fact that I broke my leg 5 weeks ago and I am still out and about on crutches. Which can be very frustrating and times....

It's nice to have other pregnant ladies with shunt here to share experiences!
I am very glad!

Have a nice day!

Cloe

 

[neksinger18]

No, we don't have open drainage holes in the abdomin or cranial point. I think that would be dangerous. There is no maintenance involved. You just can't play any contact sports, and stuff like that. Once you have a vp shunt for 2 or more years, you can't have it taken out, because your body grows around it, and it becomes a part of you.

 

[loveli]

After searching google I found this forum. I am due to have a VP shunt within the next month, after only finding last week that I am going to have this we have had to put trying to get pregnant on hold. And have found this thread very useful as I never even asked my consultant about pregnancy with a shunt, it was really the last thing I thought off.

I was wondering if any body would be able to answer some of my questions I have...

Hi I am Cloe,

I am 11 weeks pregnant and also have a VP shunt.
I just read that you have your shunt placing still ahead of you and I wish you all the best!!! Everything will be fine, but I honestly think you should focus on yourself right now and put the baby thought aside for a year or so. It will take time to get used to everything after the surgery and recover.

I would love to help you with all the questions that you might have. My surgery was 5 years ago.

Long story short, feel free to ask anything you want!

Good luck and a speedy recovery!

Cloe

Hello im 28 and I also have a VP Shunt which I've had since I was 8mons and have had 3 revisions ....I'm also ttc and wanted to know what complications you had to deal with and what was your way of delievery?

 

[loveli]

I have a VP shunt that I have had since I was ten and had a healthy daughter by normal vaginal birth 2 1/2 years ago. I did have some neurological issues during my pregnancy because (we now know because of studies done after her birth) that my particular shunt is very long and coils around the floor of my pelvis. The baby was able to pin the shunt against my pelvis and block it until she decided to move. Most people's shunts are no where near as long as mine and if the shunt is floating around in your abdomen then there is nothing for the baby to "pin" it against. I only post this as something to be aware of. My OB and neurosurgeon had never seen my issues before. Have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

i wanted to thank you fpr posting this because im currently ttc and i was wondering about this very thing with the baby. i have the same type of shunt that you have that coils in to the pelvis area (since i was 8 mons with 3 revisions) and wanted to know how often did they have to monitor you to check everything, did you have any other problms, and last question how did you deliever you baby?

 

[Cloe]

Hi Loveli,

I am now almost 30 weeks pregnant and so far (knock on wood) I haven't had any problems with my shunt. My neurologist always assured me that it would not be a problem for us shunt-patients to become pregnant and deliver the baby. Well, my OB/GYN asked me to take folic acid even during the TTC period to avoid any neural tube deffects. I was asked by my OB/GYN to come in for a consult every 4 weeks just to discuss my symptoms (if any) and check on the baby's growth. I have to mention that it is very helpful if both your neurologist and your OB/GYN are in contact through e-mail or other means. I had quite a handful of questions myself and my OB/GYN goes with what my neurologist sees as best. Very straightforward.

A few things in regards to the delivery. My neurologist said as a shun patient it is recommended not to have an epidural or spinal as those can result in long lasting pain. Vaginal delivery or even water birth is an option. Watch out for symptoms in regards to shunt failure (headaches, vision loss, dizziness, neausea etc.)

If you have any other or specific questions feel free to write.

Have a nice day!

Cloe

 

[franbella21]

hi i just came across this thread, i have a vp shunt due to intercranial hypertension and had my vp shunt put in in 2003. i had my daughter by normal vaginal delivery in 2006 the only thing my neurologist said was that i couldnt push for too long due to the added pressure, now this will make u laugh, i had twins in 2007 by a c section under general anaesthetic and my tube that is in my tummy popped out and they couldnt get it back in lol.thank god i was asleep is all isay!!! i am now 8 weeks preg and am def hoping for a normal vag delivery this time xx

 

[Cloe]

hi i just came across this thread, i have a vp shunt due to intercranial hypertension and had my vp shunt put in in 2003. i had my daughter by normal vaginal delivery in 2006 the only thing my neurologist said was that i couldnt push for too long due to the added pressure, now this will make u laugh, i had twins in 2007 by a c section under general anaesthetic and my tube that is in my tummy popped out and they couldnt get it back in lol.thank god i was asleep is all isay!!! i am now 8 weeks preg and am def hoping for a normal vag delivery this time xx

I am so glad I just read your post. Just yesterday I was having a conversation my DH what to have c-section or normal vaginal delivery. I am now convinced more than ever to go for vaginal delivery. I had my doubts especially after my mother gave me a talk about how much better it would be to have a c-section.
I am just afraid the same would happen to me.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

Cloe

 

[franbella21]

your welcome!! my oh couldnt work out why i was so long in theatre, but they were trying to call a neurologist to find out what the hell was sticking out of my tummy, i think if i had been under epidural id have had a nervous breakdown. twins were laying transverse so had no choice on c section but this time im deffo hoping for vag delivery, as i say it was just the pushing u have to b careful about xxx

 

[Cloe]

One more question that was lingering on my mind. Have any of you ladies used special birthing positions during labor in order to decrease the intercranial pressure (during the pushing phase)? Positions that decrease pressure on the abdomen or brain itself.

I really appreciate any sort of input!

Thanks so much ladies!

Cloe

 

[wonderin]

oh I'm SO glad I did a search and found this message board. my Hubby and I aren't trying yet but I have been wondering about getting pregnant with a shunt.

I am 28, will be 29 when we start trying I had my VP shunt put in due to Hydrocephalus at 11 days old and then revised once when I was between 1 and 18 mths old, then at 14 had my catheter straightened (it was causing my horrible headaches).

 

[LizF]

Hi everyone i just ran into this forum and am so pleased to hear that im not alone! i have had a vp shunt since i was born and i have always wondered how being pregnant would affect me or the baby ! so comforting to hear from others! my fiancee and i aren't pregnant yet but it is a definite possibility in the future

Liz

 

[Cloe]

Hi everyone i just ran into this forum and am so pleased to hear that im not alone! i have had a vp shunt since i was born and i have always wondered how being pregnant would affect me or the baby ! so comforting to hear from others! my fiancee and i aren't pregnant yet but it is a definite possibility in the future

Liz

Hi Liz,

I am also a VP Shunt patient and just gave birth to my LO 7 weeks ago.
Please feel free to send me a message or write back in the forum if you have any questions or concerns.

Warm Regards,

Cloe

 

[bglover]

I have a VP shunt. Latest was placed in 1992, but I've been shunted since birth ('79). This is my first pregnancy (10 weeks) and experiencing lots of headaches. Trying to do some research about moms with hydrocephalus and pregnancy. Would love any feedback.

 

[Cloe]

I have a VP shunt. Latest was placed in 1992, but I've been shunted since birth ('79). This is my first pregnancy (10 weeks) and experiencing lots of headaches. Trying to do some research about moms with hydrocephalus and pregnancy. Would love any feedback.

Hi!

I gave birth to my son in 2011 and I also have a vp shunt + shunt assistant in my abdominal area.

I assume at 10 weeks your headaches may be the result of hormones rushing through your body. After all your body will have to adjust to the new situation.

It is a good idea to keep an eye out for certain symptoms, do you have a neurologist that you can talk to about these symptoms? I had a very nice neurologist who always had an open ear for questions. The most important thing he mentioned to me is DO NOT GET AN EPIDURAL, since that can lead to lots of side effects such as leaking of spinal fluid, severe post partum headaches and problems with your shunt itself.

If you have any other questions at any stage in your pregnancy just write me a message! I will try to help!

Best Regards,

Cloe

 

[VentricleLady]

Hi everyone-

Just found this site and cannot believe there's a place to talk about mommies with shunts! I have a unique situation that might offer some insight. Please do not be frightened as the outcome is actually good, and in some ways less stressful than being dependent on a shunt for the rest of your life.

I had a VP shunt put in in when I was 17 for hydrocephalus, revised 4 years later, and had absolutely no issues for 20 years! No doctors could believe it, as they all said "That's one old shunt!" For 10 years prior to having kids, I asked every doctor I knew what complications might arise from pregnancy and delivery, and almost across the board they urged me to just get pregnant and deliver vaginally- mainly because they had never delivered to a shunted mother. My son, born vaginally in 2008, was an effortless delivery. My OB had me push for less time than usual, and all went well. My daughter, born in 2011, was a very different story. At 40 weeks, my shunt stopped working. Headaches, short term memory loss, the usual. They delivered her by emergency C section and I spent 10 days in the Neuro ICU while docs tried to let my shunt kick in on its own, but it never did. Finally, we opted for a 3rd Ventriculoscomy, which is when they make an alternate hole in the 3 rd ventricle to let the Csf fluid drain "naturally" out of my brain, as the shunt was doing for so many years. I am now completely non-shunt dependent, and fine. They left the shunt in for reasons another mom wrote about the body growing around it, but there's something familiar about the ol' guy...or gal.

I offer this by way of saying that if a 3rd Ventriculoscomy comes up as an option, it may sound terrifying but I am here to tell you it has brought me immense relief to know that there is and can be a life without a shunt. I honestly used to dream of that and though it was h--ll getting there, I am glad to be on the other side.

Hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any questions at all.

ventricle lady

 

[ChickenMommy]

i know this is long shot but just wondered if there is any ladies pregant with shunt to share journey with

ME! had it put in at 16. caused no issues with my first pregnancy, though the doctors did have to get confirmation from my surgeon to make sure pushing wasnt an issue, AS im about to push, becuase they "forgot". but it was totally fine.

 

[Cloe]

Hi Ladies!

I am so overwhelmed with joy to see that so many of you here ended up having normal pregnancies and healthy babies since this thread has been started.

I have a VP shunt too and my little guy is almost too. We just recently found out that we are expecting baby#2 and to be honest I am a little nervous.
I feel like I was really lucky with my first pregnancy and everything went so well! I am just a little scared that something will go wrong this time around.
To any shunt ladies out there in this thread, how were your second pregnancies different from the first and did you have any complications?

I would really appreciate any helpful tipps or information from you!!!

Thanks so much!

Cloe

 

[ChickenMommy]

Hi Ladies!

I am so overwhelmed with joy to see that so many of you here ended up having normal pregnancies and healthy babies since this thread has been started.

I have a VP shunt too and my little guy is almost too. We just recently found out that we are expecting baby#2 and to be honest I am a little nervous.
I feel like I was really lucky with my first pregnancy and everything went so well! I am just a little scared that something will go wrong this time around.
To any shunt ladies out there in this thread, how were your second pregnancies different from the first and did you have any complications?

I would really appreciate any helpful tipps or information from you!!!

Thanks so much!

Cloe

Congrats! Were a teeeeensy bit over half way done baking our second. this pregnancy has been completely different, but as far as complications its been the same as with my first. still having issues with low fluid around baby, though its not shunt related. think positive mama!

 

[Cloe]

Hi Ladies!

I am so overwhelmed with joy to see that so many of you here ended up having normal pregnancies and healthy babies since this thread has been started.

I have a VP shunt too and my little guy is almost two years old. We just recently found out that we are expecting baby#2 and to be honest I am a little nervous.
I feel like I was really lucky with my first pregnancy and everything went so well! I am just a little scared that something will go wrong this time around.
To any shunt ladies out there in this thread, how were your second pregnancies different from the first and did you have any complications?

I would really appreciate any helpful tipps or information from you!!!

Thanks so much!

Cloe

Congrats! Were a teeeeensy bit over half way done baking our second. this pregnancy has been completely different, but as far as complications its been the same as with my first. still having issues with low fluid around baby, though its not shunt related. think positive mama!

Oh, you have no idea how grateful I am for your answer and I am really happy that everything is going well for you so far. Wishing you all the best for the duration of your pregnancy!

I hope you don't mind if I come up to you again in case I have further questions.

Best wishes!

Cloe