Hi

I am new to this site but having read previous topics and questions, its obvious that you are all very helpful and considerate in sharing your expertise/own knowledge. And its that which I definitely need!

I'm delighted that I am 7 weeks pregnant with my first child but as I'm a C5/6 - who will be a 40 year old mum - I naturally have a few concerns and hope that if I post them here you'll be able to give me advice.

My main concern at the moment is what will happen to my supa-pubic catheter.......is it best to switch to an indwelling uretheral one as soon as possible?? Is it possible to go full-term with a supa-pubic (I'm imagining not).

I'd really love to hear anyone's experience of this and any other advice.

Many thanks - from Cass

I am a nurse and I can see no problem keepig the SP cathetar. If you have no problems with infection, spasms from the cathetar moving you should be able to keep it. Depending on the size of your belly, you may be able to keep it full term. Talk to you OB. Congratulations

Thank you Willow for your response.

I will after my 12week scan be speaking to the Spinal Unit so will seek their advice, but it was reassuring to hear your view and I'm encouraged that hopefully I can maintain the SP catheter.

Hi, I'm C6 complete and had my first child at 35 and second child at 39 - its lovely being a Mum. I have an indwelling catheter so no advice re spc, but loads about being a pregnant tetra! Just let me know if I can offer any advice & good luck!

Hi Izziwhizzi

Hello there,

Many thanks for responding to my request for pregnancy advice. I must admit that I'd welcome anything that you'd want to share with me, regarding pregnancy, giving birth and any hints or tips on adaptive equipment, caring for the baby etc.

I'm really pleased to hear from another tetra, especially as you had your 2nd child at 39.......I've worked for 10 years in the information service of a spinal injuries charity and in that time haven't spoken to tetra mum's nearing 40, so its good to hear that you had yours from your mid-thirties. A big congratulations to you for having two!

Obviously, as you must have experienced (especially with your first), I'm very curious and wondering how I will give birth, will it be a natural delivery or C'section, will I know when I'm going into labour?? These sorts of questions I'm interesting in hearing your experience - I've watched my sister give birth to her 3 sons at home, but even with this knowledge I'm feeling ignorant with regards to me.

When you want to reply, then it would be lovely to hear. At the moment I'm just nearly 18weeks - still a way to go.

Until then, from Cass

Hi Cass,

Sorry, this has been delayed - I've been away from pc for a while.
Had both my kids naturally. My fantastic consultant was very reassuring that unless there was anything wrong with me or baby a natural delivery would be our choice and she was right. I had an epidural with my second, and a spinal block (like epidural but less controllable) with my first. Only reason I didn't have an epidural with my first was that the aneathatist couldn't get it in and AD was coming hard and fast. Epidural makes AD go!!

With my first baby my waters broke naturally and I had no feeling of contractions - had even seen my consultant an hour before my waters broke and neither of us could tell. Second one I had soooo much more feeling all the way through from 20 weeks or so, and had contractions for 2 days before we decided to go for it when they were coming every 3 mins or so. Even at every 3 mins I had no severe AD - just flushes with the contractions. Had epidural in, they broke waters manually and 9 hours later she just popped out at 8lb 11oz without a stitch or anything!

With both of them they used oxcytocin (a hurry up drug that strengthens your contractions). Can be double edged sword as this also raises AD, but with epidural in I was fine and was less time for my body to be in distress. I also took daily fragmin injections because of significantly higher risk of DVT's for 6 months before and 3 months after both births. I now use fragmin for periods before or after long haul flights too.

Things to do & look out for during pregnancy: Pressure sores with increased weight, swelling legs & feet - i'd go to bed at 10 & sit up there rather than my usual midnight, fainting in the shower or when getting up, wanting more sex!!! :-) Cut out alcohol & caffine completely - no coke, chocolate, coffee or tea - baby is so much calmer before & after birth, and drink loads of water and a pint of milk everyday from now onwards before you go to bed. Eat loads of fresh fruit, veggies and fish (but no sword fish and tuna only once a week), cut out red meat, take aways & lessen carbs. (Sorry do I sound like a teacher :-)!! )

I breast fed both mine until they were over 2 - first totally by myself for first 6 months and second with some top up milk too. I understand its not so much of a done thing in US and people don't like to see it but if baby was hungry I fed them - even if i was out or in a restuarant. I used a V shaped cushion and did it in the rugby ball position!! (feet away and under your arm pit instead of across your body). That cushion is fab too to help get great cuddles. Never used a push chair, kids ride on my lap when small - day 1 onwards - and on my footplates when they were bigger. Both still prefer to sit on my knee nowadays to read stories, talk, cuddle etc.

Don't think I'm a mega fit tetra - had my second child 20 years post injury and am def C6 complete with more weight on me than I'd like. I do however have a fab able bod hubby (and kids have a fab Dad too) who changed every poo-ey nappy, bathed & changed them. Now he walks them to school! I do however like to do more than people expect me to do as I want to get as much out of my life as possible. Both kids started doing long haul flights at 5 months as we just have to get winter sunshine every year!! we all go on camping holidays in tents, my eldest went with us to see his first rock concert (with ear defenders) at 5, nothing is to be used as an excuse.

Hope that helps, oh and how I wish I was 20 weeks prenant again! every moment is precious - enjoy!

Please feel free to ask any more questions!

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My story is old Cass, but I know I would have loved to have had access to any info at all, so I thought I'd share an artical I wrote ages ago.

Following a motor vehicle accident in 1983, I was diagnosed with C4/5 quadriplegia.
Three days after the accident I was grieving for my lost (unborn) baby who had his life
terminated because of my wreckless driving.
A 20 year old, fertile woman, I had been geared for motherhood. Now, suddenly I was
clueless as to my future capacity for child bearing, or if I was even going to be capable to
participate as a parent.
Dilemma over my ignorance of 'quad parenting', was scary and daunting to say the least.
Too many silent questions followed for my dizzy brain to comprehend.
This was mainly due to the generous shots of morphine that were administered back then.
Dr X. strongly recommended that my decision to get pregnant again (as soon as possible) go on hold for two years, until my body came to terms with quadriplegia.
After my release from the SI unit I set out like a sponge to water searching books and medical
archives to try and learn from others' experiences, but kept coming up empty handed.
Two years lapsed and I let the alarm ring for productivity to begin. The news of my positive pregnancy result renewed within me a feeling I'd forgotten I had, the 'NEEDED' one.
A month later, the reality of life as a pregnant quad. began to set in. I had had a little
morning sickness with my first pregnancy, but this was extreme, and different.
Dr X, at no time, discouraged or doubted my ability to produce and deliver.
At four months, I was put under the eye of a careful caring Prof. at our local Hospital, & fortnightly visits were scheduled with this extraordinary man.
Our visits consisted of a scan, ob's and reassuring pictures from the scan printer (on A4 paper) to take home.
My presence in the waiting room was an eye opener for the walking mum's to be.
I sat looking at eyes of wonderment, hearing the un-asked questions and addressing the
occasional comment from the bravest.
The foetus thrived despite the small amount of food I was able to consume.
An ever-growing stomach deprived me of desperately needed oxygen as the pregnancy
progressed. My diaphragm, as for any quadriplegic, needed all the space it could get for
adequate oxygen intake and I struggled more each day.
Little feet and fists frequently kicked my bladder, causing my urine to bypass my indwelling
suprapubic catheter consequently urethral drainage was not a rarity. I passed out
numerous times daily and felt nauseous for the duration of the pregnancy.
During the last six weeks my partner injected me twice daily with a blood thinning drug called Heparin. Wearing tub grip stockings also helped to prevent clots.
December 1 1986­, was the day a beautiful son changed my world. He was three weeks early, so thankfully the quickest route to the Hospital had been well rehearsed.
I experienced intense head pain with each contraction during our 30min drive to the hospital
and was administered pethadine almost on arrival.
Just three hours later, my body heaved the most intense spasms I've ever
experienced. aand with the help of forceps I vaginally delivered a healthy 8LB 4oz boy, and that was the last time I had my child all to myself.
(That last statement brings raw emotions to the fore as it's a hard experience to share
motherhood with other people. Only a non "hands-on" Mum can truly appreciate that he was wrenched from me in more ways than one that day.)
I was blessed to have overwhelming support from my family and friends, which allowed me
the very enjoyable responsibility of actively participating in his upbringing, to the best of my
ability.
He is now 20, stands 6'3" and is a typical 'disabled persons' child. 'Caring, compassionate
and loyal he truly understands the meaning of 'keeping it real'.
As a result of this massive life changing experience it is evident to me now that maternity is
part of being a woman. Therefore I 'own' my decision to be a mother as my absolute right.

(and so will you :-))

Take care
Jo'

Some story, Jo'. I would like the complete version you offer to share with my mom. Catholic had 9 live and 2 dead babies, the last 3 cesarean. Thinks she has the corner on pain and suffering...long story. I like to show her, and she likes to know, that others suffer also, myself included.

Any pics of your young'un all grown now?

Hi Matt, I can't believe I've taken this long to notice your post! Anyway, I'm sorry to say that that's it. I wrote the artical by request when the New Zealand Spinal Unit website began, so as to kick the topic of Motherhood/Pregnancy off. I believe I was the first quad to give birth in our little country, & now, just one of many quad mums.
Your Mum has suffered in respect to just the small amount of tragedy that you've said she's endured.
Emotional tragedy can be excruciatingly painful also.

My son Kurt age 20 with his fiance'