Answer:
by Annette Owens: (06/27/2004)
I spoke to one of my colleagues who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. I would strongly encourage you to find a similar specialist in your local area. I can only provide general advice to you. According to my colleague and generally speaking, having spina bifida should not diminish your ability to get pregnant unless you are having problems with ovulation. Also, there should be no problems having a vaginal delivery, other than the usual risk of blood pressure fluctuations for pregnant women with spinal cord injury.
Urinary tract infections can be treated with prophylactic antibiotic. However, this would be an important area to discuss with your health care provider, since you do want to avoid a kidney infection.
In general, pregnancy tests with a urostomy pouch should work; if in doubt you can always have a blood test taken.
According to my colleague the focus should be on minimizing the risk for the fetus, which has a 3% chance of getting spina bifida. Taking folic acid even before getting pregnant can reduce this risk. It is very important to discuss this with your own physician as I cannot give you specific suggestions by e-mail, but you need to be seen by a physician. Folic acid is important for the first 8 weeks of gestation, during which the neural tube closes.
Due to your age, like for any other woman, your fetus could be at increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down’s syndrome, so it would be advisable to do a scan at about 12-13 weeks of pregnancy.
I hope this answers your question.
Good luck!
Annette Owens, MD PhD
Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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