20 weeks

Wahoo! I’ve hit the halfway point! Just to let you know, the pregnancy is going well, the baby’s development is right on track and if it weren’t for CP I don’t think I’d have any complaints.

Specific to CP

Starting 2 or 3 weeks ago I started having some problems with my ankles giving out and increased lower leg pain. I discussed this with my doctor at my last appointment and she suggested starting physical therapy, an idea I was very in favor of. She wrote me a prescription for an associated office and my first appointment was yesterday.

I really miss the days of receiving physical therapy services at the hospital where I had my surgeries and receiving specialized cerebral palsy care. Now I have to sit and explain my surgeries and spasticity to people with eyes popping out of their heads. “Yes I am sure that I am an interesting case to you.” I cannot complain to much though, I really feel that I received the care and recommendations that I desired.

The biggest obstacle I face now is the cost of the therapy. Ever since leaving the office I’ve been trying to wrap my head around it and find solutions. I’m forced to analyze my need verses my pocketbook—I’m wishing now that I hadn’t made a complaint until week 30 or perhaps I should make physical therapy priority during my postpartum rehabilitation and simply opt-out of it for the duration of my pregnancy. All of these thoughts also spark thoughts of my middle and late adulthood and how find to affordable care for that time of my life.

No, I am not “pining” over this issue I’m sure that my husband and I can find the right solution, I’ve always been able to take care of my body. I am thinking that I will take and use the information from the PT, then opt for a gym membership where I could have access occasionally to personal trainers for the duration of my pregnancy. (The gym has always served me well.) Then start physical therapy again after my child is born and physically I am at a very low point.

I can imagine medical professionals shaking their heads at me and other persons with cerebral palsy nodding (I know others have made similar choices.) Please understand that I am not complaining, making a statement on the country’s health care, or asking anything from anyone. I am writing my reflections here, because if you or someone you love is a woman with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy considering pregnancy this is something you will likely need to think about too. I will keep you updated on my choices on this subject.

18 weeks

Its a boy!

17 weeks Q&A, or is it 18?

First I want to apologize for having this be 2 days late. Monday I was totally separated from my normal schedule and Tuesday I had to catch up on everything.

How did you meet and fall in love with your husband? Does he also have CP?

My husband and I met in college, during my last year. We lived in the same apartment building and attended church together. The first thing that intrigued me about Matthew was how carefully he used his words. No matter what the situation I only heard him speak when he had something very kind or intelligent to say. What manner of college boy was this?! We fell in love over long talks in the evenings. I was very busy writing my thesis and working so he would also regularly fix me dinner to ensure that we had time together. Everybody has to eat! I remember one particularly busy day, I did not return home until 1:30 am and there he was sitting in the hall reading a book just so he could say good night to me.

One night in February after about a month of talking every night, he asked me to be his girlfriend. The question really threw me off guard! After a few moments of incoherent thought and struggling to find the right words; I told him yes, shook his hand goodnight and ran away to bed. Our first kiss was the next day and out first date was 2 days after that—so we did things a little backwards.

It was only two months later, while standing in the pouring rain and trying to obtain shelter under the plastic canopy of a playground jungle gym, that he pulled out a diamond ring and asked me to be his bride. At that moment I essentially panicked, the word “Marriage” had not even entered our conversations—and there he was with a diamond ring? I held on for dear life to the playground equipment as my legs gave out and I tried to process the information. Luckily, I had decided the week before if our relationship ever moved in that direction I would not resist. I said Yes! And 4 months later we were married.

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Matt does not have CP, in fact he is completely able-bodied and a distance runner. He was the first boy to COMPLETELY look past my disabilities. He told me that it wasn't even a factor in considering our relationship, although he did make a point to educate himself on Cerebral Palsy.

On our first date

Matt running (wish I could do that)

What size of family would you like to have?

As large as possible! If I had written this last week I would have told you that we planned on having 2 children biologically (close together) and after they grew a bit and became more independent we would adopt a few.  Now though I’ve had a few “reality checks” and I’m not sure what we will do. It looks like my leg bones might be bending under the weight of the pregnancy; this could be cause for concern (see page “Our Choice”) and we might choose to adopt after this pregnancy.

I come from a family of 7 and my husband comes from a family of 8, so siblings are very important to us. In our previous plan siblinghood would be established and we would have time to save the necessary money to adopt. Now though we may not have that money saving grace period.  We will see how things go, I have not lost faith in having a 2^nd or even 3^rd pregnancy. We simply have to be willing to take things as they come.

  

15 weeks 4 days

I had a nice appointment today. We, the baby and I, are just where we need to be.  I did have some questions related to my CP for the doctor but she wasn’t able to be in her office today so I met with her nurse. If my questions can’t wait until next time, I can call her as soon as Monday.

Specific to CP

Now that I am in my second trimester I’m noticing some interesting changes, I have more energy but I am less stable. My weight gain is hard on my ankles and my big belly is shifting my center of gravity. I am avoiding both stairs and pets (they—the pets, have a way of unexpectedly getting under your feet) and I am extra careful on my daily walks. I’m hoping be able to maintain them through September, but we will have to see.

Good news

In 3 weeks I will be having my “Find out what the baby is” ultrasound! Wahoo!!

Oh, and in a week and a half (July 25^th) I’ll be doing another Q&A. If you have a question contact me at ihavecp@gmail.com, on Facebook or leave me a comment.

14 weeks- Q&A

Since becoming public with this blog I have received a number of emails with questions and comments.  I have been able to write everyone back personally—but I thought it would be good to address common questions here.

Q: What are your pregnancy symptoms like? (unrelated to your CP)

A:  I decided from the beginning of this project to avoid making comments on my everyday symptoms because I did not want to detract from the main purpose of this blog; to explore the affects of pregnancy and CP on each other.

My mornings are my best time of day, from 6am-10am I try to accomplish as much as possible, including my morning walks. Starting 10:30 or 11:00 I start to feel queasy and exhausted and this escalates throughout the day. While making dinner I am probably the most unhappy. I am very unsteady, sick and easily confused.  I have developed a very strong aversion to meat, cooking and preparing it can be miserable. I am probably worst off after dinner—eating it makes me sick.  I’ve stopped doing the dishes at night because all my energy is spent, I have less coordination, and I get very dizzy. I usually go to bed by 9:30 pm.

I have not vomited, although sometimes wish I would.

Once every week or so I have a good day where I have energy and I don’t feel sick at all.

Q:  How do you manage to walk so far with CP

A:  I owe this to several things.  I was very dedicated in preparing/strengthening my legs for pregnancy.  I started 9 months before becoming pregnant.  The increase of the hormone relaxin in my body (this is a natural side effect of pregnancy) reduces the spasticity of my muscles.  This decreases my typical chronic pain.  Finally, there is my mother-in-law, she walks with me and interesting conversation really helps.  

I will point out though that prior to pregnancy I don’t think I would have been able to walk 1 mile without being in agony afterwards. The relaxin is a tremendous help and I will miss its effects. We’ve decided that 4 miles causes to much pain and to long of a recovery time so we have capped out walks at 2.5 miles.   

Keep the questions coming!  I will do Q&A sessions as long as there is interest. 

13 weeks + some

This is a break from the norm because I haven’t had a prenatal appointment. I just wanted to tell you about my daily walks. Before getting pregnant I exercised regularly on either a stationary bike or an elliptical machine; some days for 30 min and other days for 3 or 4 hours.  After becoming pregnant though, I found that I couldn’t use these machines for more than 20 min without becoming sick or dizzy.  I had to find a new method of keeping my legs strong.

In May we moved near my husband’s parents and I started doing daily walks (5 days a week) with my mother-in-law. We started out pretty slow, probably going only 1/3 of a mile but now we are approaching 4 miles.  My mother in law has lost 20+ lbs, I’ve of course only been gaining weight but my legs are becoming stronger and leaner.  I really hope that I can keep this up into the fall. 

I’m beginning to wonder though if I am pushing myself to hard, it can take the full day for my legs and back to recuperate. I keep my heart rate at a good place and my breathing never gets too heavy so I don’t think it is bad for the baby—or for my body in general.  My legs and back are just not enjoying the extra weight gain. If I don’t exercise now I worry that postpartum rehabilitation will be very difficult.  When it comes to my mobility I need to “use it or loose it”

11 weeks 3 days

Yesterday’s prenatal appointment went very well.  I heard my baby’s heart beat it was awesome! All my tests came back normal, and both the baby and I seem to be very healthy.  I’m pretty sure that I intimidated my OB on my first visit after giving her my medical history.  This time though I was able to talk to her about efforts I’ve taken and am taking to stay healthy, She seems very pleased with my outlook.

Specific to CP

Starting week 10, I had a decrease in my typical cp related pain.  I’m guessing it has to do with the increase of relaxin in my body.  I talked with my doctor about the potentially starting physical therapy in a couple months and the possibility of using legs braces to maintain my leg shape.

One Scare

Two weeks ago I had some bleeding that I believe was the result of a VERY bumpy car ride that I took. I was absolutely terrified! I went in and had an ultrasound, things seemed fine and now 2 weeks later things continue to look very good.