Can I breastfeed with CP?

Yes, most women with CP can breastfeed, and the best way to find an efficient and comfortable position will be with help from a lactation consultant or occupational therapist.

Will labour be more difficult?

Depending on which muscles are affected, it is likely that certain movements or positions will feel more difficult. Ensure that your team knows what your personal needs are by having a discussion about these matters during your prenatal visits.

What happens if I get worse after giving birth?

While in some instances symptoms will worsen due to the added weight and hormones experienced during pregnancy, on the whole, symptoms will return to normal once you give birth through continued physical therapy and medication.

Can Women With Cerebral Palsy Have a Healthy Pregnancy? What Doctors Say

Pregnancy is usually possible for women with cerebral palsy, but it may require additional monitoring and support. Factors such as mobility limitations, muscle spasticity, fatigue, and existing health conditions can influence pregnancy, labour, and recovery. Early planning and regular prenatal care can help improve outcomes for both the mother and the baby.

Building The Right Prenatal Care Team

A comprehensive care team familiar with both pregnancy and cerebral palsy is your most important resource. During your initial prenatal appointment, thoroughly discuss your physical condition, any current medications, your established baseline of mobility, and any other related medical issues, such as epilepsy or bladder dysfunction.

Maintaining Mobility and Safety During Pregnancy

As your pregnancy progresses, your physical mobility will be further affected, and women with cerebral palsy may experience more immediate and pronounced changes.

Physiotherapy During Pregnancy

Consultations with your physiotherapist will allow you to handle increasing spasticity, keep your mobility and adapt your actions to changes in your centre of gravity. You will be advised by your physiotherapist about the appropriate position to rest and sleep, considering the growth of your belly.

Early Home Adaptations

Make the following adjustments at home:

Fix grab bars near the bathroom and toilet.
Use a shower chair to minimise the chance of slipping and falling.
Ensure that all necessary items are available at an easy-to-reach distance.
Eliminate objects like loose rugs that could lead to falls.
In case it is increasingly difficult for you to get up or sit, install a raised toilet seat.

It is best to implement these changes during your second trimester, rather than waiting until your third.

Managing Day-to-Day Fatigue and Muscle Stiffness

Simple adjustments to your daily routine can help conserve energy, reduce discomfort, and make everyday activities more manageable during pregnancy. The following strategies may be helpful:

Divide tasks into smaller segments, with rest breaks in between.
Prioritise essential tasks and let go of any that are less important.
Ask for assistance with physically demanding activities, such as cooking, cleaning, or carrying.
Make use of heat packs to treat aching or strained muscles temporarily.
Attend your physiotherapy sessions on time because they are an integral part of your treatment plan.

If you notice that your spasticity is worsening significantly, consult your neurologist instead of making medication changes on your own.

Planning Labour and Delivery

Discuss your birth preferences with your obstetrician by the 28 to 32 week mark. Your birth plan needs to accommodate your individual physical needs, considering affected muscles, your baseline tolerance for pain, any speech difficulties, and any positioning limitations you may have.

Vaginal Delivery vs. Caesarean Section: Many women with cerebral palsy can deliver vaginally. However, women with significant involvement of their pelvic floor muscles, spasticity in their lower limbs, or limited ability to sustain pushing may be more likely to require assisted delivery or a planned C-section. Ensure you deliver at a hospital that is well-equipped to handle both obstetric and neurological emergencies simultaneously.

Postpartum Care and Early Motherhood

The postpartum period presents unique challenges for women with cerebral palsy, and planning for it during pregnancy is just as important as planning for the delivery itself.

Physical Recovery After Delivery

Your physical recovery may be slower if you experienced significant muscle fatigue and spasticity during pregnancy.
Resume physiotherapy as soon as your body is ready.
Postpartum pelvic floor physiotherapy can benefit all new mothers, especially if the pelvic floor is involved in their cerebral palsy presentation.

Adapting Baby Care to Your Needs

Set your table to an appropriate height such that bending awkwardly or unnecessarily stretching becomes unnecessary.
Work out a comfortable feeding position with the help of your occupational therapist or lactation specialist.
Most likely, traditional ways of carrying the baby won’t work for you; consult your occupational therapist regarding this matter.
Choose prams and cots that are compatible with your grip and physical movement capabilities.

Support At Home

Do not underestimate the physical assistance you will need in the early weeks postpartum. Arrange for support from your partner, family members, or a professional caregiver before your baby arrives. Balancing taking care of the baby, recovering from childbirth, and coping with the difficulties presented by cerebral palsy requires much effort on behalf of any new mother.

Emotions and Postpartum Depression or Anxiety

Many new mothers suffer from some degree of postpartum depression or anxiety disorders. Chronic disease patients who have faced complications during pregnancy may be at a higher risk. Possible symptoms include:

Persistent bad mood or a lack of hope that lasts longer than two weeks after giving birth.
Trouble bonding with the baby.
Feeling like you can't handle caring for your baby.
Avoiding assistance or being distant.

Talk to your doctor or a counsellor about how you feel. It is quite common, treatable, and definitely does not mean you won't be a good mother.

When to Contact Your Doctor

Please contact your doctor immediately if any of these happen to you:

Any increase in the degree of muscle stiffness or spasms at any time during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Accidents in which you have fallen, regardless of whether you are physically hurt or not.
Symptoms of UTIs include pain or cloudy urine.
Regular contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
A slower-than-expected physical recovery after delivery, or increasing pain.
Significant emotional distress.

Pregnancy and motherhood with CP takes more preparation than a standard pregnancy, but it is more than possible. It hinges on finding the right team, making practical adjustments as early as possible, talking honestly with your doctors, and seeking support from home. The body is more resilient than we sometimes believe, and, with the correct preparation, you can control both pregnancy and early motherhood on your terms.

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 Can Women With Cerebral Palsy Have a Healthy Pregnancy? What Doctors Say

Can I breastfeed with CP?
Yes, most women with CP can breastfeed, and the best way to find an efficient and comfortable position will be with help from a lactation consultant or occupational therapist.
Will labour be more difficult?
Depending on which muscles are affected, it is likely that certain movements or positions will feel more difficult. Ensure that your team knows what your personal needs are by having a discussion about these matters during your prenatal visits.
What happens if I get worse after giving birth?
While in some instances symptoms will worsen due to the added weight and hormones experienced during pregnancy, on the whole, symptoms will return to normal once you give birth through continued physical therapy and medication.