spinal injury

Hello Anonymous,

Welcome to the EmpowHER community.Exactly what is the extent and location of your spinal injury? Have you spoken with your gynecologist and primary care physician? Both of these individuals know your medical history and the extent of your injury. They would be best at knowing if you are able to conceive and carry the pregnancy to term.

I have gathered some information that you might find helpful.

From spinal cord injury specialist Mark W. Christopherson, M.D., with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota,

Nearly 14 percent of women with spinal cord injuries go on to have at least one child.

Even though a woman may have lost mobility and sensation from her chest down, her reproductive organs still work as they used to, and her body can sustain a pregnancy.

When it comes to giving birth, a woman's uterus will have contractions during labor, making it possible to deliver without a C-section.

Special care needs to be taken during pregnancy to keep women from experiencing complications such as autonomic dysreflexia, urinary tract infections, pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis or respiratory difficulty.

From the National Spinal Cord Injury Association,

A skeletal abnormality, such as a curvature of the spine, pelvic fractures or hip disarticulation, can interfere with the space in the abdomen available to carry a full-term fetus or have a normal delivery.

The growing fetus may potentiate the physical limitations of the woman with a spinal cord injury. Fetal/uterine enlargement may affect diaphragm movement, diminishing respiratory capacity and predisposing these women to pneumonia, especially those with tetraplegia.

Please keep us update.

Regards,
Maryann