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Having cerebral palsy does not prevent you from having healthy pregnancies. Actually, many women with this disorder deliver healthy babies. Pregnancy certainly does call for some additional preparations, care, and support, however. If you have cerebral palsy and are pregnant or intend to become pregnant in the future, becoming familiar with some changes may help.





What Is Cerebral Palsy?



Cerebral palsy is a disorder of the developing brain that can occur at any stage of foetal development or within the first month of an infant’s life. It is a term for conditions that affect a person’s muscle tone and ability to move, as well as some related issues. The range of symptoms that occur can differ greatly, with some women only presenting some mild stiffness on one side of the body, while other women may be dependent on support and assistance to move or talk or have some other linked condition, such as chronic pain or epilepsy. The presence of cerebral palsy does not impact a woman's ability to become pregnant, as the reproductive system works independently.





Can Women With Cerebral Palsy Get Pregnant?



Yes, absolutely. Cerebral palsy does not prevent conception and does not affect carrying a pregnancy. Women with cerebral palsy are fertile, unless they have a separate, unrelated condition. What is more important than whether a woman with cerebral palsy can conceive is how a pregnancy will interact with her condition. The effects that pregnancy will have on muscles, balance, mobility and stamina levels will depend greatly upon the nature of a woman's cerebral palsy.





How Pregnancy Affects Women With Cerebral Palsy

Every pregnancy has the potential to profoundly change a woman's body. The added weight a woman gains during pregnancy will shift her centre of gravity and can affect balance, especially in women who have an existing problem with their balance or coordination, and they may fall more easily. Relaxin, a pregnancy hormone that loosens ligaments throughout the body, can exacerbate the problem. Pregnancy adds considerable pressure to the pelvis and spine. For women with cerebral palsy, this may exacerbate muscle stiffness or spasticity. Many women report a significant increase in fatigue during pregnancy, which compounds the existing effort needed to simply move around.









Potential Pregnancy Complications for Women With Cerebral Palsy

There are several risks to be aware of during pregnancy with cerebral palsy.

• Preterm labour
• Low birth weight
• Falls
• Urinary tract infections
• Spasticity

Assisted delivery or cesarean birth is more common for women with cerebral palsy





Importance of Regular Prenatal Care

The maternity care team should ideally include:

• An obstetrician who has experience in high-risk pregnancies.
• A neurologist who is experienced in managing cerebral palsy.
• A physiotherapist to advise on mobility and balance, as pregnancy changes the woman's body.

Occupational therapy also plays a big part in advising women who will have practical difficulties in daily living during and after pregnancy.



Ensure that the team caring for you is fully aware that you have cerebral palsy. You will need to give them specific information about the parts of the body that are affected, any medication you are taking, and if you have any other conditions, such as epilepsy.





In any of the following circumstances, contact your doctor immediately:

• If you suffer a fall.
• Increase in the frequency and intensity of your muscle spasms or stiffness.
• Any symptoms suggesting a urinary tract infection, such as pain on urination or passing urine very frequently.

Contractions that come and go regularly before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Any reduction in your baby’s fetal movements.

Any new or increasing pain that is experienced around your pelvis, hips or back, that has not been eased by a period of rest.





Pregnancy is not impossible for those with cerebral palsy, but it does require much more planning, more specialist input and more practical support. With the help of a strong support team and attending all your prenatal check-ups consistently, a pregnancy with cerebral palsy can be a healthy one. You are the expert of your own body, so keep this in mind when communicating with your doctors and never feel afraid to ask for assistance whenever you require.



Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.





FAQs on Pregnancy and Cerebral Palsy: What Expecting Mothers Need To Know

Will my baby inherit cerebral palsy?

Not usually. Cerebral palsy is a result of injury to the brain at the time of birth rather than a condition transmitted from parent to child via genetic mutation; most cases are not hereditary.

Can I have a vaginal delivery with cerebral palsy?

For most women with cerebral palsy, vaginal delivery can occur, but this depends largely on the muscles you are working with and their strength. Your obstetrician will determine and advise you of the optimal method of delivery for you following an individual assessment and examination.

How should I manage my spasticity medication during my pregnancy?

When dealing with the effects of a condition such as cerebral palsy, medication such as certain muscle relaxants needs careful consideration in the workplace. Never withdraw abruptly from spasticity medication without your doctor's consent.