Ask the Expert - Hydrocephalus Episode 3: Pregnancy and Hydrocephalus, Is it Safe?

Thank you so much for making these videos! As a woman of reproductive age with a shunt who is starting to consider pregnancy, this information is very helpful!

I am a patient of Dr Luciano’s, he performed my Chiari malformation decompression and a few others (had some complications as a result of intracranial hypotension) before he placed my VP shunt. This man is the most knowledgeable and most gentle human I have ever met. 100/10 would recommend ANYONE AND EVERYONE who needs to see a neurosurgeon to see Dr. Luciano.

Thank you so much for this! My partner and I are very much planning a pregnancy in the near future - and this has been heavy on my mind for a few years now. I developed hydrocephalus after an accident I had at 11 years old and spent 4 years in and out of hospital for shunt revisions due to blockage. The prospect of another revision has had me scared of actually taking this step for a long time now. But as always: information is key. And so this has been so great to be able to watch!

Yes I have Hydrocephalus no shunt but I was fortunate to have 2 beautiful daughters who light up my life every day.

Thanks for this, I would love to speak with someone on this topic

I have always wanted to know abd even asked my Dr about this just a few weeks ago..

Hi my name is Meriem and am 24 years old from north Africa and am sending love to people like me 😉❤️

I was shunted at 6 months old. I was discharged from nsg care when I was about 8 years old as I had been stable since infancy. My shunt drains into my jugular vein . I had an OB/GYN for my first three pregnancies. My last four babies were born at home, my choice, because the hospital would not let me deliver the way my body needed to. .

I've had shunted hydrocephalus since 1965 due to bacterial meningitis. Back in 2000 I delivered our first son via emergency c-section plus they found out that my pelvis is way too small, this was after a grueling HARD labor on a Pitocin IV the whole entire night with no progression past 2 centimeters. Our first son after a 21 hour HARD labor was delivered via emergency c-section, and weighed in at 8 pounds 4 ounces at 21 inches long. Our second son was delivered by repeat c-section in 2003, he was even bigger weighing in at 9 pounds 4 ounces and 20 inches, I had gestational diabetes with him.

Elective cesarean birth when no legitimate threat to the mother or baby exists sets up the baby for a life-long set of challenges that are completely preventable. Cesarean birth as elective or convenient should never be an option. Research is starting to show that many issues a child or even adult may develop can be traced back to the unnatural way in which a cesarean throws off critical hormonal responses among many other issues. So I get it that a mom with hydrocephalus needs to take precautions that perhaps others do not but a cesarean should be avoided if at all possible. Many cesareans are chosen for the protection and convenience of the doctors or because a mom (or perhaps the family as a whole) wants to choose a date or some other self-serving reason and this should never happen. Nature should be left to take its course.

I was pregnant this year...due to hydrocephalus i got aborted at 9 month pregnancy... If there any possibilities for my 2nd baby to get affected by the same disease???? Kindly please rly.......i think really worry about that....