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Individual personal issues

Sexual relationships

If you want to talk to someone about personal or sexual relations there are a number of places you can turn to, including:

your GP

specialist voluntary organisations that help people with either family planning, relationship or sexual issues.

Having a baby

In the vast majority of cases there will be no reason why you shouldn’t decide to have children of your own. However, there are three issues you need to think about:

1. If you or your partner has CMT then there is a 50% that you will pass the condition onto your child.
2. Pregnancy and labour rarely may cause your symptoms to worse
3. As a woman having a child your antenatal team needs to be fully aware of the implications of CMT.

Passing on CMT to your child

Because CMT is a genetic condition it is usually inherited from parent to child down the generations. Ultimately the decision is yours, but depending on what type of CMT you have (see the separate leaflet ‘What is CMT’) there is a 50% chance of passing it onto your child.

Talk to your doctor if you are unsure. It may be possible to refer you to a genetic counsellor who will explain the issues in more detail.

Possible problems in pregnancy

Pregnancy can be hard work for any woman due the extra strain on the body. For the majority of women with CMT there should be no specific problems. Difficulties you may face include:

if you already have walking difficulties before the pregnancy, they may be worse in late pregnancy

 if you already have hand weakness then there may be problems after you’ve given birth, for example handling the child or breastfeeding.

CMT and your antenatal team

As with other healthcare professionals, most staff on the labour ward will not be familiar with CMT, so you may have to spend some time telling them. Get them to read some of the leaflets available from CMT United Kingdom.

Most women with CMT will have no problems using the usual pain relievers – including gas (entonox), pethidine or vaginal injections – available in labour. However you should make sure that your midwife and doctors understand that CMT is a neurological condition, in particular if you are thinking of having an epidural (a strong local anaesthetic injected into the base of your spine). See the section on anaesthetics.

Caesarean sections

Some women with CMT choose to have a caesarean section. Again this is a decision for you to make with your healthcare team depending on your own personal situation.

If, for whatever reason, you decide not to have your own children, you may be interested in fostering or adopting a child. There is a huge need for carers nationally. If you’re interested, contact your local council or one of the organisations in the useful organisations section.

Last reviewed: 30/01/2012