Obstetric Issues and the Neuroimmunologic Disorders: Introduction
Paula Lazzeri

It is my pleasure to be writing again about TM and pregnancy.  My last article was included in the January 2000 newsletter entitled, “My Life as Mama Zoom.”  In the article I shared the story of my pregnancy and delivering my son, Jesse, after getting TM.  My husband, Myk, and I are so proud of Jesse and what a wonderful person he has become.  Raising Jessie has been such a joy and we are blessed that he is happy and healthy.  He has grown up so fast and is now 14 years old.  We frequently hear from friends, teachers and relatives that Jesse is a great kid.  Children being raised in homes with parents that have TM are seeing life in a beautiful way.  Jesse is amazingly sensitive and is able to accept all people no matter their differences.  His kindness is definitely noticed by other kids.  I’m excited to watch him continue to grow and share his gift with the world. 

Pregnancy and TM has always been a topic of interest, and many women have contacted the TMA seeking information.  Thanks to the wonderful efforts of Dr. Benjamin Greenberg, one of our TMA medical advisory board physicians, we now have a new resource to assist people in our community with these important issues.  I am very proud to introduce Donna Chattin, a labor and delivery nurse who got TM in October 2005.   Donna has written an article introducing herself to our community, and describing her TM experience.  She works in an OBGYN practice, and has graciously been offered support by a high-risk obstetrician who will assist Donna in responding to questions about TM and pregnancy.  Dr. Greenberg has also committed to assisting Donna in this work.  Donna has set up an OB bulletin board that may be accessed through the TMA web site and will respond to any questions you pose in her forum: http://www.myelitis.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=28. 

Through this work, we hope to create a valuable resource for our members that will offer both information and support for women experiencing or planning pregnancy and delivery.  She has also compiled and published an information brochure about obstetric issues and TM.  This brochure can also be found on the TMA web site: 
http://www.myelitis.org/obstetrics.htm. 

Donna has provided us with a summary of the contents of the brochure for this TMA Journal.

Sandy Siegel, the TMA President, often refers women involved in the information gathering process to me.  I share my story, answer any questions, and encourage people to speak with a high risk obstetrician.  We have asked some of these women to write about their experiences for this journal, and we are so grateful that they have been willing to do so.  Sharon, Cossy, Harriet, Kim, Kimm, and Yvonne, we so much appreciate your willingness to serve as a resource for others.  Your courage is so very inspiring.  I hope that you find these stories as encouraging and informative as they were for me.