What is Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy or CP is the most common childhood physical disability. It is a permanent physical condition that affects movement. A new international consensus definition has been...
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Motherhood and CP
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I'm new to the group and I would like some advice from women with mild CP who have been pregnant and are raising children. I am 30 years old and have mild CP. I have put myself on an emotional roller coaster over the past few months trying to figure out if having children is something that someone with mild CP can and should tackle.
My husband and I have been married for 5 years and have come to the point of discussing having a baby. One minute, I am excited and thrilled about the challenge that would present and the next, I'm anxious and upset thinking that it would be irresponsible of me to consider it and that I would not be able to manage a pregnancy, let alone, the everyday challenges presented in caring for a baby. I am able to do most tasks unassisted and have been told that people would not even know about the CP unless I told them. (I find that difficult to believe sometimes and think people just want to be kind.). I have trouble with my fine motor skills and balance and am worried that this would hinder me in being able to attend to all of a babies needs. I have a great support network in my husband and family, all of whom have vowed to help me. My husband doesn't want me to worry about it and always says we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I worry about him feeling extra pressure at the thought of fatherhood. Maybe he's thinking he'll have to take on more of the responsibility. I know that if we are blessed with a child, I want he and I to be the caretakers. I don't want to feel like an assistant as I watch my family fill in where I, as the mother, should be able to provide for my baby. I also worry somewhat about the pregnancy and delivery. I would love to hear from someone with mild CP who has been through this and can provide some advice. Please feel free to shoot straight. I am reaching out in hopes of finding someone who has been down this road and can provide some guidance and help me leave the "emotions" and work with some "facts". I would appreciate hearing about how someone in my shoes has dealt with these challenges. I also have hyperhydrosis, which is just a fancy way to say that my hands sweat constantly. So, on the off chance that there is anybody out there who has mild CP, hyperhydrosis, been pregnant, became a mother and learned some tricks to manage and cope with it all, I would greatly appreciate your response. Thanks! Posted on 07/14/09, 09:07 pm |
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I am 22 years old and expecting a baby girl in December. I have very, very mild cerebal palsy. So mild in fact that hardly anyone every notices I have it, the only thing that my cerebal palsy has really given me is a very slight limp on my right side. My hand is NOT even effected by my cerebal palsy. I have never had any thoughts of should I become a Mom or not, because I always have known I could do it. Everyone has challenges in Womanhood, Motherhood, Marriage, ect. People learn different ways to overcome the challenges that they face and I think you very well, could find ways that suite you in order to overcome any challenges you may face. 
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*** (typo sorry) every was supposed to be ever. :)
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hi i am 22 years old and i have mild CP that is noticable and i have a 2 year old daughter named jillian. at about 8 months pregnant i had a hard time breathing and it was harder for me to walk. my tailbone hurt because of the wieght. my cp mostly effects my legs and i ahve trouble walking lifting things and keeping my balance i do fall alot. i also have scoliosis and my back is curve like a *C*. i can barley lift a 2 gallon jug of milk and try to walk with it. when it was time for me to have jillian i had to have a C-section because of the way my hips are close together stoped me from having a normal birth. The worst part of the C-section aftwards was the stitchs pull and the way i walk which made the staples hurt. i have a b/f whos been with me for about 4 years when having a child and havin CP i have found out that i needed my boyfriend more at home to help me with the baby then i had thought. i cant walk while holding my daughter and at one point my daughters weight got so much that i can no longer lift her out of her crib. it takes alot of help raising a child while having CP. my b/f has to carry the baby all time to my chair/high chair or basic things during the day. now my daughters walking so it made things a little bit easier as she walks to me in my chair and i can pick her up but my b/f still has to put her in her high chair crib/tub etc when she needs changed and what not. truth is having CP and having a child highly requires alot of effort from your b/f or husband and requires creativity to find ways to take of your child incase your husband/b/f isnt home. and my b/f stays home with me to take care of daughter and to help me for now because its too difficult at the moment when she gets older he might be able togo back to work depend on how my CP is when the time comes. it is alot of pressure on my b/f with daily living as hes my only way aroudn to anywhere and everywhere and without him i really couldnt make it. i hope this helps you. but just know it isnt easy, but was worth it..
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There would be no reason in the world why you would not be up to raising a child just because you have CP. Go to any CP website and check that question out, the answer is yes every time. You would be no more incapable than someone without CP. I have CP and two children.
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