Pregnancy and the Nervous System
The neurology of pregnancy can be split into two. On the one hand, there are women who develop neurological symptoms during pregnancy. Some have simple neurological disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, which are more common during pregnancy. Others have disorders that are either peculiar to or very much commoner during pregnancy, such as eclampsia, pelvic neural compression, or even tumours arising from the placenta.
Some have simple neurological disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, which are more common during pregnancy. Others have disorders that are either peculiar to or very much commoner during pregnancy, such as eclampsia, pelvic neural compression, or even tumours arising from the placenta.
The most common neurological disorder seen during pregnancy is epilepsy the incidence being 3-5 per 1000 births
Some patients who have multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) may worsen and have increased weakness during pregnancy . The occurrence of this association is infrequent and cases are rare, but some have shown previously unaffected muscles becoming weak during pregnancy
Abstract. Neuropathies during pregnancy and the postpartum period are common and are usually due to compression around pregnancy and childbirth. The most common peripheral neuropathies are Bell's palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and lower extremity neuropathies.
What are some neurologic conditions that may be seen in pregnant women?
The most common conditions in pregnancy include the following:
- Migraine headache
- Epilepsy/seizures
- Multiple sclerosis
- Stroke
- Sciatica
Some neurologic diseases have little or no effect on pregnancy, while others can greatly increase the risks for pregnancy complications and maternal and fetal illness. Likewise, pregnancy can affect some neurologic conditions, but not others. Pregnancy-related complications of elevated blood pressure and fluid retention (pre-eclampsia and the more serious eclampsia) may cause neurological problems.
Message UsWhat are some disorders of the nervous system?
Vascular disorders such as stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and bleeding in or around the brain
Degeneration such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s chorea, and Alzheimer’s disease
Infections such as meningitis, encephalitis, polio, and epidural abscess
Functional disorders such as headache, epilepsy, dizziness, and neuralgia
Neuromuscular Disorders in Pregnancy
During pregnancy and childbirth, many neuromuscular conditions can present challenges. Some of the more common conditions that occur during pregnancy include carpal tunnel syndrome , Bell’s palsy , lumbosacral radiculopathy , meralgia paresthetica, intercostal neuralgia, and other compression neuropathies . Pre-existing conditions — including demyelinating polyneuropathies , inflammatory muscle disease , myasthenia gravis and inherited nerve and muscle diseases — may become more extreme during pregnancy.
As an example, increased frequency of headache is a common complaint in pregnant women. Migraine is associated with a risk of developing pre-eclampsia or stroke during pregnancy. It is also important to control high blood pressure during pregnancy which is also related to stroke risk.
Neurological Problems in Pregnancy
Neurologic Issues in Pregnant Women
Several acute neurological diseases requiring hospitalization are unique to pregnancy and the postpartum period even though they are rare in young women in general:
- Stroke
- Eclampsia
- Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT)
- Pseudotumorcerebri (“false brain tumor”)
- Postpartum neuropathy
Our Approach to Neurologic Issues in Pregnancy
Managing neuromuscular disorders in pregnancy is a challenging task for clinicians because of the diversity of the diseases and their causes and effects. Each disorder has unique considerations and many possible complications. We have to consider both the effect of disease on the pregnancy, delivery and baby, as well as the effect of the pregnancy on the course of disease and health of the mother.
We treat neurologic issues in pregnancy from a multidisciplinary approach; our physicians, scientists, nurses, technicians and other specialists possess decades of expertise in caring for mothers and children during pregnancy. The comprehensive team approach we take integrates experienced neurologists into the mix to ensure you get the best possible care available during your pregnancy and delivery. Please click here to learn more about our services to provide care for pregnant women .
