parents' experience
Pregnancy as an amputee
Pictured is Laura-Jane with her daughter.
Laura-Jane Bartram, from Norfolk, UK, talks about the challenges of adapting to pregnancy and new motherhood as an amputee.
In 1995, at the age of 15, I lost my left leg above the knee due to bone cancer. The professionals were unsure if I would be able to have children in the future due to my treatment and chemotherapy. Meanwhile, I was fitted with an artificial limb. Years later, in 2006, I was thrilled to discover I was pregnant! I was over the moon, but also concerned about how I would cope with wearing my artificial limb during the pregnancy.
After talking with staff at the limb centre, it became clear that there were no hard and fast rules for fitting an above the knee amputee with a limb during pregnancy. I felt very frustrated as I still worked full time and wanted to continue to do so until the baby was born. I knew it was better for both my health and the baby's health if I tried to remain active.
Planning ahead
The first issue was that I was already fitted with a suction socket. This type of socket is not suitable if the wearer gains or loses even a small amount of weight. I changed onto a non-suction socket and a waist belt to attach the limb and keep me mobile during the first trimester. During the second trimester, I started to gain weight and a noticeable baby bump became visible! The midwives were concerned that the waist belt would be too constrictive around my abdomen as the baby was developing. We needed to come up with yet another new plan.My wonderful prosthetist, Pamela, and I had lengthy chats about what we could do to keep me on my feet for as long as possible, and whether the technicians could fulfil our requests. We decided to try a fabric shoulder strap that would hopefully keep the limb in place and also allow for my growing bump. There were a few teething problems with our bright idea. The strap cut into my neck and shoulder and restricted the movement in my left hip. After a lot of trial and error, the technicians cut the strap in half at the shoulder and inserted an elasticated section. This provided a bit of give and was far more comfortable.
I still had to wear a T-shirt under my clothes to prevent the strap from cutting into my neck but hey, I was still walking!
Overcoming problems
As the inevitable weight gain continued, the socket began to feel very tight on my stump. I was developing pressure sores and experiencing bleeding in the groin area where the plastic socket rubbed my skin. The sores were not able to heal when I was actually wearing the limb. Pamela decided it was time to re-cast for a larger socket. This is in no way an overnight process to say the least! After further weeks of fitting and essential alignment, I once again remained upright!As the weeks passed, my balance was starting to become affected due to both the artificial limb and the pregnancy. After several frightening trips and falls, we decided that I must use my crutches at all times for my own safety and that of my unborn baby. I was willing to do whatever it took to ensure that the baby was safe. However, the crutches restricted the use of my hands for carrying and even simple everyday tasks.
I continued on with the shoulder strap and crutches until the beginning of the third trimester, when another hurdle presented itself. While walking to my car one day, I noticed that my false foot was beginning to turn inwards. By the end of that day, it had completely spun around and was practically facing the wrong direction! This was obviously another dangerous situation so I made an emergency appointment at the limb centre the next morning. Luckily, they managed to fit me in straightaway. The false foot had literally worn out and broken down, just as car parts do! This meant another one had to be ordered, again not a quick process.
After all the challenges and issues with my disability during my pregnancy, it was all made completely worthwhile when at 37 weeks, my beautiful daughter, Jessie Hebe, was born weighing six pounds and one ounce! She was absolutely perfect. I knew that many further challenges awaited me as a disabled mother but I felt I could do anything now that she was here.
Second time around
In June last year, my partner, Joe, and I discovered another little miracle had taken place - I was pregnant again! We are now looking forward to the birth of our little boy. I am currently on my third socket and back on the shoulder strap but was far more prepared this time around for what was ahead of me!I have had two quite nasty falls so far, but thankfully the baby is fine. I have a few cuts and bruises and am sore in many places! I use my crutches at all times at the moment. Every day presents different challenges as I am now pregnant and caring for a very active toddler! I'm still at work part time as a family support worker, and plan to return again after my six months' maternity leave.
I am so proud of my wonderful little girl. She has changed my life completely. She is very excited about meeting her new baby brother soon!
There are many parents with varying disabilities and illnesses, facing a wide range of obstacles and challenges every day. However, I'm sure we would all agree that every single second is worth it when you hear your child laugh, see them discover new things, watch them grow and develop, and especially when you receive a great big hug and kiss from them!