Pregnancy with CMT
For most people with CMT, pregnancy and delivery go well. Some notice their symptoms shift along the way, especially later on. A few planning steps make the whole experience much smoother: telling your obstetric team about CMT early, having the anesthesia conversation well before labor rather than during it, and thinking ahead about how you will manage at home with a newborn. This page covers what to expect as the months go on, what to discuss with your team, and the questions worth asking about passing CMT on.
At a glance
- Most people with CMT have healthy pregnancies and deliveries.
- Some report more fatigue, balance changes, or foot and back discomfort, especially in the third trimester.
- Tell your obstetric and anesthesia teams you have CMT early, and share your neurotoxic drug list.
- For pain relief in labor, discuss options with an anesthesiologist ahead of time; the same caution about succinylcholine applies.
- A genetic counselor can explain the chance of passing CMT on; see family planning.
- Plan for extra rest and support in the postpartum weeks.
What to expect
CMT does not usually prevent a healthy pregnancy. That said, pregnancy changes your center of gravity, adds weight, and loosens ligaments, and those changes can interact with CMT. Some people notice more fatigue, less steady balance, more foot or lower-back discomfort, or a temporary increase in symptoms, often in the later months. For many, these ease again after delivery.
Everyone is different, and your experience will depend partly on your subtype and your baseline. Keeping your care team informed lets them help you adjust as you go.
Building your care team
Let your obstetric team know you have CMT early in the pregnancy, and name your subtype if you know it. Depending on your situation, your obstetrician may involve a maternal-fetal medicine specialist (a high-risk pregnancy doctor) or coordinate with your neurologist. This is routine, not a cause for alarm.
Your physical therapist can help you stay active safely and suggest support for balance and back comfort as your body changes. A well-fitted brace may need adjusting as your gait shifts.
Labor, delivery, and anesthesia
Talk with an anesthesiologist before your due date about pain relief in labor. Epidural and spinal anesthesia are commonly used and are often appropriate, but the plan should be made with someone who knows you have CMT. As with any surgery, depolarizing muscle relaxants (succinylcholine) should be avoided, which matters if a cesarean birth becomes necessary. Our page on anesthesia and surgery safety covers this in more detail.
Inheritance and family planning
Because CMT is genetic, many parents want to understand the chance of passing it on. The answer depends on your subtype and its inheritance pattern, and a genetic counselor can walk you through it clearly, including options some families consider before or during pregnancy. See family planning and CMT Genie.
After the birth
The newborn weeks are demanding for anyone, and CMT-related fatigue can make them more so. Plan for extra rest and hands-on help where you can, and be patient with yourself as any pregnancy-related symptom changes settle. If new weakness or numbness appears and does not improve, mention it to your neurologist.
Start with your subtype
The most useful first step in living well with CMT is confirming your subtype. From there, the right care and research opportunities fall into place.