Blog Comments

Hi ReneeS,

I was born with L-CDH in 1965. Our son is 22 years old.

So little was known about getting pregnant as a CDH-survivor, that my pregnancy was treated as a normal pregnancy.

I had an X-ray to determine the shape of my diaphragm before we tried to get pregnant. It was more or less shaped like a bow and didn't seem anything to be worried about.

After the first trimester I developed a terrible skin condition, which itched like crazy 24/7. It seems that my body wasn't able to get rid of something called "liver salt". I couldn't get any medication because I was pregnant. I think a better treatment is possible these days, because more is known.

I didn't have more discomfort than a healthy mother. I did have some reflux, but I'm not very tall, so that is what happens to more expectant mothers with my length.

I ended up being hospitalised at 35 weeks, with placenta previa (placenta is placed in front of the birth canal) and had to deliver with a C-section at 37 weeks. This is not CDH-related.

I know several survivors with children. Whether or not their pregnancies were treated as high risk seems to depend on their health prior to their pregnancy. Some were able to give birth the natural way, but they would have a surgical team on standby, just in case. Others had to have C-sections.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your stories! So glad to hear they were successful! We keep praying for a smooth pregnancy but I feel confident with all the high risk care that I will be watched very closely I just hope I am not in too much pain if I can get pregnant. I already had a miscarriage in December but the doctors didn't say it was due to anything specific I guess they are very common first few weeks! Hopefully next time I can go all the way!!

I had a lot of scar tissue as well. It is very uncomfortable! However, I only carried to 36 weeks with both of my kids. I also lost 2 little ones due to endometriosis and scaring. They weren't specific in cause of loss.

I am a survivor, 29, I have two babies and two angels. I had great pregnancies. However, I was High Risk, I only carried to 36 weeks. but they were healthy! I had preterm labor from 22 weeks with my son and 27 weeks with my daughter. So, I was on bedrest. My labor with them were long, I had an epidural with both. Epidural worked amazing with my son, but wore off with my daughter. It is challenging they did not want me having more kids because my body wasn't holding up after the pregnancies.

This is just my experience though. It is crucial to listen to your doctors. They know you and your health. I was fortunate. Good luck! I would be happy to share my story more if you wish.

my daughter is also a right sided survivor she is 26 now had her first child a healthy son on 11-1-2015 she had no issues she just didnt gain or grow much after 32 weeks

If you don't mind me asking, my doctors told me they are scared for my last 6 weeks of the pregnancy. They think it will be very painful for me to carry with all the scar tissue stretching with the baby growing. Was any point in your pregnancy hard?

Thank you so much for your story. It really helps to hear that when all the doctors are putting these risks on the table. So sorry for your loss of the second child. I finally did get pregnant in December but had a miscarriage. We took a step back but I think after a few months of reviewing life we plan to keep trying.

hi my name is caroline i myself am a cdh surviviour and i had all the doctors telling me that with this condition it is a risk but i have a beautiful little girl who is now 8....On my second girl the doctors thought it was due to my illness that i lost her ...