3 replies to this topic

[ce la vie]

Hi there,

This goes out to all women who have had babies with Narcolepsy. I am hoping in the next two years to have babies, lots of them.As I am a student of natural medicine, I really don't want to have my children in a hospital? I am also wanting to know how different a Narco's pregnancy is from a normal pregnancy?

Look forward to you replies

[narcshark]

Hi there,

This goes out to all women who have had babies with Narcolepsy. I am hoping in the next two years to have babies, lots of them.As I am a student of natural medicine, I really don't want to have my children in a hospital? I am also wanting to know how different a Narco's pregnancy is from a normal pregnancy?

Look forward to you replies

I had my children before I was diagnosed with N (but after symptoms were fully present). I was extremely tired throughout the pregnancies, especially first trimester. However, I think most women (N or not) are very tired during pregnancy and sleep a lot. I slept every minute I could and passed out at about 5:15 every night (as in, see ya tomorrow morning). As to natural childbirth....I had both of my children without meds during the pregnancies or births. I think some people might have difficulty with C during the birth. If you did, you might require a c section. There is an article online I saw in which a woman with N went into status cataplexticus during birth and therefore had a c section. However, I can tell you that my C is mostly from laughter, and I wasn't exactly laughing during the unmedicated childbirths. Quite the opposite, so no C and no problems. Best of luck!

[mayfield]

Lots of babies!

I also had all my kids before being diagnosed and my experience was pretty much like narcshark's. Passing out cold the instant I got home. And yes, I think most women get really tired during pregnancy (N or no N). Exercise helps a ton...I ran all the way through my last pregnancy and the fatigue wasn't as bad. I didn't feel like N affected the actual birth except after having a c-section for my first, I had VBACs with the next two. I wanted to do hypnobirthing and avoid meds, but every time I sat down to listen to the hypnobirthing CDs, I fell asleep! Every single time. So I didn't learn very much, lol. Anyway, I ended up with epidurals for both, and the births were peaceful, joyous, and uncomplicated. I did fall asleep a lot while nursing (some very relaxing hormone is released when you nurse), so I was very careful about holding the babies.

Have fun making all your babies.

[evelyn]

I just had my first baby. My Dr recommended coming off the meds (provigil) during the conception period but I was not able to do that b/c there was no way of knowing how long that was going to take, and I still needed to function. So I came off of the medication as soon as I knew I was pregnant and am planning on staying off of it until I return to work in a few months. I had a great pregnancy as far as N is concerned. I do also have C but to a mild extent so it isn't usually an issue. While pregnant it seemed like my N symptoms were significantly reduced, almost disappeared. I took a nap every day at lunch and that was essential, and sometimes when I got home from work. But it was not at all like my past experiences when I came off the medication and was sleeping several times an hour. The only issue that I was concerned about with the delivery is that b/c of N I fall really far under anesthesia and consequently really wanted to stay away from any general anesethia. I ended up having an epidural pretty late in the delivery and it made all the difference for me, a huge improvement. I did make sure that my drs were all informed of the issue from the beginning jsut in case any issues came up, and b/c I feel like it is such a major part of my life that I want people that are going to be part of it to know what is going on.