pregnancy and joint replacements

[Guest guest]

hi everyone, im brandy, 29, jra since 5, and i have 5 total joint

replacements including both hips, bilateral knees, and tl shoulder. i

am pregnant with my first child, 8 weeks on monday and very happy

about it, but im concerned about how to give birth with artifical

hips. does anyone here have experience or advice on this? im calling

mr ortho surgeon on monday and am going to ob on wednesday. my family

is worried of course. i have read things online about giving birth

causing joints to loosen and easily dislocate, nerve damage, joint

capsule rupture, and i definitely dont want any of these problems.

any help would be greatly appreciated. also, i am petite and small

boned. one of my hips tried to split during surgery and had to be

clamped. im only 5 foot 1 inches, and i weigh about 124 right now.

do you think this makes a difference?

thanks, brandy