I'm new to this support community, and newly diagnosed with an unruptured aneurysm it is 1.5mm and located near my brain stem. Forgive me, I can't remember the clinical location of it.
I recently found out that I'm pregnant.. and I'm wondering if it is safe to have a baby with an unruptured aneurysm. I found out yesterday and haven't stopped crying since. My partner and I were trying to conceive for a year with no luck. I had this aneurysm found incidentally, and now, we're pregnant. We have a four year old, and I can't stand to think about not being around for him.
CWMama! What a miracle life is! I don’t know your answer but there is a pregnancy group here on site. Also please call your doctor,see what they say and get back to us with the docs info too!
I know how traumatic this is, having 4 unruptured aneurysms by accident (CT scan for something else) and I had a 2 and 4 year old at the time. I had successful open brain surgery to clip all 4 and a second bypass surgery and there is nothing more horrifying when you have children.
I was lucky to have access to mediation techniques, learning to stay "in the now" and not think about the future, and this helped me out very much. Try to write in a journal daily and do breathing and mediation exercises, consult with top neurosurgeons. I was very lucky to find OHSU in Oregon after the first neurosurgeon was in capable of diagnosing my other condition (MoyaMoya).
I know it sounds hokey and not helpful, but believe me, it helped me get through all of it and I am healthy and my kids are 7 and 10 now, and I feel very blessed.
Be well, breathe and make sure you have the best neurosurgeons.
Hi, Just got operated for an unruptured Brain Aneurysm of 13 mm X 8 mm last Wednesday and I am now at home relaxing and feeling really good. I too was very afraid and wondering about the future. My advice is talk to your Doctor ASAP so you can start enjoying that precious gift of being pregnant.
Keep breathin' mama and focus on the wonderful future you will have with your baby! Your doctors will know whether to clip or coil your aneurysm and I'm sure they have dealt with pregnant patients before. Payers are with you, Kathy
CWMama, My undiagnosed aneurysm ruptured 5 mos. post partum. I had a craniotomy with clipping, recovered and had 2 more babies. You are fortunate that you are aware it is there. Find and go to the best Neurosurgeon/medical center you can get to. They can monitor you, and intervene when or if necessary. I understand how paralyzing fear can be. For you and your family's sake be proactive. Thoughts and well wishes , Kerry
CW
I would get a consult from. Neurosurgeon and ask the doctor. I had a ruptured aneurysm and was lucky to live
Advice from members of this forum is not safe
David
I know how traumatic this is, having 4 unruptured aneurysms by accident (CT scan for something else) and I had a 2 and 4 year old at the time. I had successful open brain surgery to clip all 4 and a second bypass surgery and there is nothing more horrifying when you have children.
I was lucky to have access to mediation techniques, learning to stay "in the now" and not think about the future, and this helped me out very much. Try to write in a journal daily and do breathing and mediation exercises, consult with top neurosurgeons. I was very lucky to find OHSU in Oregon after the first neurosurgeon was in capable of diagnosing my other condition (MoyaMoya).
I know it sounds hokey and not helpful, but believe me, it helped me get through all of it and I am healthy and my kids are 7 and 10 now, and I feel very blessed.
Be well, breathe and make sure you have the best neurosurgeons.
Hi I had found out about my anuersyms a few years ago . But when they say they have been here for years maybe when I was told that I had a stroke and didn’t …
When I was pregnant with my second child almost 14 years ago. Doctors told me if I plan of having more children I would need to have csections . Please keep us posted and know you are in my thoughts and prayers
Tara
Oh wow. Yes you can give birth but via c section. I too had pregnancy after two aneurysms and even though it was considered high risk, all went ok and baby was fine. Good luck with everything. Definitely talk to your neurologist and Obgyn about your how to proceed from here. I hope all works out well for you and baby. Take care.
Congrats on your pregnancy! If there are any issues with pushing & pressure during labor then I would guess a C-section would be in order. Your OBGYN should consult with your Neuro and then they should let you know your options based on the aneurysm status/associated risks and remaining length of your pregnancy.
I hope they give you a plan soon, so you can set aside your worry and enjoy your pregnancy. I wish you the best and good luck with your delivery!
(I've had a coiling and C-section, however at different times)
Hi CW- in this case you need to see a very good neurosurgeon who treats aneurysms all the time with good outcomes, not just “any” neurosurgeon. If you can tell me the closest big city to you, I can tell you the best hospital(s) for neuro in your area. I did tons of research and am happy to pass it on You really want to get this taken care of BEFORE it ruptures. Many of us survived a rupture, but many don’t.
Hello,
I am sorry about what is happening now in your life. I apologize for I have no information to share with you…but I do have words of encouragement…believe that all will work out for you! Please know you are certainly in my thoughts and prayers.
Please let us know of your progress!
Terri
CW-I too have a 1.5mm unruptured aneurysm. While it was just discovered last year the doctors say I’ve had it for many years (based on old scans where it was just missed because it is so small) and that means I had it during the pregnancy and birth of both of my girls. I had vaginal births both times and didn’t have any issues. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consult with your neuro and OB but I hope that makes you feel better! Congratulations on your pregnancy.
Congrats on your pregnancy ! I know how terrifying the diagnosis can be. Focus on the joys of having a new baby in your life. I’m surer the doctors will take both your health and the baby’s health into consideration when it comes to your treatment. My prayers are with you and your family. Think positive and don’t over stress yourself worrying. Let me know how things are going for you. Of you need someone to talk to. Feel free to contact me anytime
Have you spoken to your doctor? Ask for the DATA, the studies and the research about the risk is situations like this. I know they probably can't put a figure on it (maybe they can?) but of course it's about the probability of a certain situation arising- based on all the factors in the equation- so your medical professional should be able to gauge that using their medical skills & training. They're the ones driving the machine! Don't panic. Don't panic. Don't panic, and trust in the rightness of things! And relax into it, knowing you're doing the right thing by your baby..
I would wait to freak out until you have consulted at length with both the brain surgeon and the high-risk OB (insist on one of those!).
My prediction, having had unruptured aneurysms and many friends with pregnancy drama of other types, is that you will be watched carefully during your pregnancy, (which is not a bad thing-- lots of personal attention from the doctors and probably plenty of ultrasounds to see the wee one). Maybe they'll want a c-section, to avoid any extra risk/pressure that labor would involve (maybe...surgery has its own risks).
And then after delivery, they'll want to do whatever is appropriate for the aneurysm, whether that's coiling or surgery or just keeping an eye on it. 1.5mm is pretty small, so it may be a watch and wait situation, or depending on its shape and exact location, you may want to treat it. Also, know that the measurements are just approximations-- mine measured from a 4 to a 6.5 mm at the various scans within 3 months of each other, not in ascending order. I had two unruptured aneurysms clipped in May, the big one and one that was 2 or 3 mm, but I have a couple of other aneurysms/malformations that are smaller (2mm or less) which I am told do not need treatment unless they grow or start pressing on something critical.
I have a friend, Kim, who has been living with an unruptured aneurism for MANY years. It is at the base of her neck. She had a successful pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy little girl 17 years ago. Taylor is a senior in High School and planning to go to college. She is bright, she plays Field Hockey and she is quite lovely. Of course I might be biased… Taylor is my Goddaughter.
You really want to get this taken care of BEFORE it ruptures. Many of us survived a rupture, but many don’t.