Hi to all the above

I have mild spastic CP which effects my right side and I have two children. a three and a five year old, which I love very much and I am really glad to have them.

No I can't cruel around on the floor with them, I learnt to change nappies on my lap, which may I say most of my friends can't. yes the baby years were difficult but I managed very well because people with disabilities learn
to adapt to situation. It may have took me a bit longer to do things but so what!!!.

I carried them both full term. I find now when I take the kids out I use a scooter because they can walk a lot faster then me, but the kids love it.

I do a lot of art and craft with the girls (you don't have to be good at it for children) and educational things instead of running about with them. I let them run after each other!!!

It's the best thing I ever did, We as a family are even having a assessment to became foster carers for children above 3 years. looking good so far, so forget about all that stuff you hear about having babies and just go for it

Shaz

carrie, i dont really know alot about this subject, but i would suggest that you speak to your gp firstly, if he is unsure maybe he can refer you to a obsteatrician (sp) and they will definatley be able to help, i think for warned is for armed if you know what i mean and any information for you will be pricless...
hope you ge somewhere with this and manage to have the family that you want....
let us know what happens with this (good for info as my daughter who is 7 has mild spastic diplegia)

kate xxx

Hi carrie, a friend of mine has recently become a dad, his girlfriend has mild cp - affecting both legs.
When carrying, at first she went on as normal, but as she got heavier, she got more and more tired, she had to use a wheel chair for shopping etc.
But she went full term and had a natural birth- giving birth to a totally healthy baby boy.
What I would say though is speak to your GP, as everyone is different.
good luck!
chris.

Hi i have mild cp i want to have a family in the next few years i want to know of any other women with cp who have had children and if they have faced any problems . I am worried about carrying the baby full tearm and the strain on my body . I know it will be worth it . Carrie

Hello

This is my first post on the forum.

This is a topic that really exercises and, if I am honest petrifies me. I am in my early 30s, married, but childless, and I happen to have mild spastic diplegia.

A few months ago I decided that the wisest course of action was to not to have children. This was a horrible, gut-wrenching decision. I really wanted to have a baby, but the deterioration of my ability to look after myself has been so rapid and unpredictable in recent years that I feel that it would be irresponsible to even attempt to try to look after someone else. That is before knowing what the pregnancy would mean. I have been to GPs and gynecologists, and no one can tell me.

I would love some one to tell me that it can be done - don't worry.

Can you pick-up, hold and nurse a child when you have increasing difficulty standing up and holding things anyway? I have nightmares about finally managing to hold the baby but then losing my balance and falling.

Are there any parents out there who have CP and still manage to continue working?

Any advice is gratefully received.

I'm sorry if this sounds a bit hysterical, but I have been holding a lot of this in for a long time.

N30+

I just want to add i was i nursery nurse and hope to return to this post soon . i can`t get on the floor and bend up and down all the time but i do this a different way . I really want a baby and will get medical advice when me and my partner are ready. good luck

Hi

I also have mild spastic diplegia but would like children one day unlike you though I haven't had the fears of how would I cope. As I think having a child will be the time when the decision is made for me to use my wheelchair more or less full time.

Therefore if I'm in my chair it takes away the need to be standing with the child etc and the risks there could be. I do know that I'd have to make sure my relationship was really strong as I know that I couldn't be a single mum with a child I don't think that would be fair on either myself or the baby.

I do think with a bit of thought and possible adapting ways of doing things you'd learn the ways that worked for you and a baby to do the things you needed to do.

Helen

[quote name='shazfromnorthampton' date='Aug 14 2007, 07:58 PM' post='12041']

Thank you for your message i found it very helpfull . And good luck with the fostering . carrie