CF and Pregnancy: It's Do-able, but it's still a high-risk proposition for many women

wanderlost · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

i've fallen a bit behind in this conversation - but I think Caroline summed up a lot of what I would have said here:

<i>There is a lot of debate and unknowns regarding miscarriages. Sure some women w/ CF who get pregnant will miscarry due to their nutritional status or whatnot. But why discourage a healthy woman with good nutrition and pulmonary function from getting pregnant? I just don't see it. All the studies I've read (and I've read lots) say that pregnancy in healthy CF women can be successful and has no bearing on their decline due to CF. Miscarriages can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons and most of them I'm willing to bet are not only found in CF women. </i>

<i>Any rational CF woman looking to get pregnant would take a look at the drugs she's taking to make sure they're compatible with pregnancy. If she's taking NSAIDs then she'll most likely find an alternative to take for the duration of the pregnancy. Can you tell me what study you've read or what data you're using to come up with your assertion that "CF women are not healthy enough to sustain a pregnancy"??? I'm very curious and I want to read it for myself. </i>

I do agree with Lauren in some aspects though: if you're not in good health to begin with you shouldn't have a baby. In the 2 years I have been on this site I have seen a women pop in from time to time saying (I am exaggerating a bit here): my PFTS are in the 30s, I have PA, MRSA, B. Cepacia, CFRD, and I weigh 80 pounds - but I want ot have a baby! Well, no, no one would encourage that woman to get pregnant - but, for many other women who are in relatively good health with stable PFTS and a reliable history - there seems to reason not to encourage them if they already have the desire to have a baby. And, being the boob-nazi that I am, I do think that if you arten't healthy enough to breastfeed that baby after you have it because of your weight or certain unsafe meds that you can't be off of - well, that should factor in too - I mean why do this baby thing if you cannot give it 100%?? The after care is just as importnant as the pregnancy. I bet the hypothetical woman I listed above might be able to carry a baby to term, but what would be the aftermath for her as opposed to a woman like myself with PFTS in the 70s, stable weight, not on a host of abx or other meds, etc.? and that's not to say that I don't realize that my own health could easily slip, but only that so far, through two pregnancies and eight years of motherhood and nearly a year of breastfeeding, it has not yet.

So, as Emily said, you can't paint the picture 100% either way - it's too gray.

I am pretty sure my stats are NOT registered with the CFF - and I have 2 kids, so factor people like me into the mix, plus I have had a miscarriage, completely unrelated to CF.

wanderlost · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

i've fallen a bit behind in this conversation - but I think Caroline summed up a lot of what I would have said here:

<i>There is a lot of debate and unknowns regarding miscarriages. Sure some women w/ CF who get pregnant will miscarry due to their nutritional status or whatnot. But why discourage a healthy woman with good nutrition and pulmonary function from getting pregnant? I just don't see it. All the studies I've read (and I've read lots) say that pregnancy in healthy CF women can be successful and has no bearing on their decline due to CF. Miscarriages can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons and most of them I'm willing to bet are not only found in CF women. </i>

<i>Any rational CF woman looking to get pregnant would take a look at the drugs she's taking to make sure they're compatible with pregnancy. If she's taking NSAIDs then she'll most likely find an alternative to take for the duration of the pregnancy. Can you tell me what study you've read or what data you're using to come up with your assertion that "CF women are not healthy enough to sustain a pregnancy"??? I'm very curious and I want to read it for myself. </i>

I do agree with Lauren in some aspects though: if you're not in good health to begin with you shouldn't have a baby. In the 2 years I have been on this site I have seen a women pop in from time to time saying (I am exaggerating a bit here): my PFTS are in the 30s, I have PA, MRSA, B. Cepacia, CFRD, and I weigh 80 pounds - but I want ot have a baby! Well, no, no one would encourage that woman to get pregnant - but, for many other women who are in relatively good health with stable PFTS and a reliable history - there seems to reason not to encourage them if they already have the desire to have a baby. And, being the boob-nazi that I am, I do think that if you arten't healthy enough to breastfeed that baby after you have it because of your weight or certain unsafe meds that you can't be off of - well, that should factor in too - I mean why do this baby thing if you cannot give it 100%?? The after care is just as importnant as the pregnancy. I bet the hypothetical woman I listed above might be able to carry a baby to term, but what would be the aftermath for her as opposed to a woman like myself with PFTS in the 70s, stable weight, not on a host of abx or other meds, etc.? and that's not to say that I don't realize that my own health could easily slip, but only that so far, through two pregnancies and eight years of motherhood and nearly a year of breastfeeding, it has not yet.

So, as Emily said, you can't paint the picture 100% either way - it's too gray.

I am pretty sure my stats are NOT registered with the CFF - and I have 2 kids, so factor people like me into the mix, plus I have had a miscarriage, completely unrelated to CF.

wanderlost · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

i've fallen a bit behind in this conversation - but I think Caroline summed up a lot of what I would have said here:

<i>There is a lot of debate and unknowns regarding miscarriages. Sure some women w/ CF who get pregnant will miscarry due to their nutritional status or whatnot. But why discourage a healthy woman with good nutrition and pulmonary function from getting pregnant? I just don't see it. All the studies I've read (and I've read lots) say that pregnancy in healthy CF women can be successful and has no bearing on their decline due to CF. Miscarriages can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons and most of them I'm willing to bet are not only found in CF women. </i>

<i>Any rational CF woman looking to get pregnant would take a look at the drugs she's taking to make sure they're compatible with pregnancy. If she's taking NSAIDs then she'll most likely find an alternative to take for the duration of the pregnancy. Can you tell me what study you've read or what data you're using to come up with your assertion that "CF women are not healthy enough to sustain a pregnancy"??? I'm very curious and I want to read it for myself. </i>

I do agree with Lauren in some aspects though: if you're not in good health to begin with you shouldn't have a baby. In the 2 years I have been on this site I have seen a women pop in from time to time saying (I am exaggerating a bit here): my PFTS are in the 30s, I have PA, MRSA, B. Cepacia, CFRD, and I weigh 80 pounds - but I want ot have a baby! Well, no, no one would encourage that woman to get pregnant - but, for many other women who are in relatively good health with stable PFTS and a reliable history - there seems to reason not to encourage them if they already have the desire to have a baby. And, being the boob-nazi that I am, I do think that if you arten't healthy enough to breastfeed that baby after you have it because of your weight or certain unsafe meds that you can't be off of - well, that should factor in too - I mean why do this baby thing if you cannot give it 100%?? The after care is just as importnant as the pregnancy. I bet the hypothetical woman I listed above might be able to carry a baby to term, but what would be the aftermath for her as opposed to a woman like myself with PFTS in the 70s, stable weight, not on a host of abx or other meds, etc.? and that's not to say that I don't realize that my own health could easily slip, but only that so far, through two pregnancies and eight years of motherhood and nearly a year of breastfeeding, it has not yet.

So, as Emily said, you can't paint the picture 100% either way - it's too gray.

I am pretty sure my stats are NOT registered with the CFF - and I have 2 kids, so factor people like me into the mix, plus I have had a miscarriage, completely unrelated to CF.

wanderlost · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

i've fallen a bit behind in this conversation - but I think Caroline summed up a lot of what I would have said here:

<i>There is a lot of debate and unknowns regarding miscarriages. Sure some women w/ CF who get pregnant will miscarry due to their nutritional status or whatnot. But why discourage a healthy woman with good nutrition and pulmonary function from getting pregnant? I just don't see it. All the studies I've read (and I've read lots) say that pregnancy in healthy CF women can be successful and has no bearing on their decline due to CF. Miscarriages can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons and most of them I'm willing to bet are not only found in CF women. </i>

<i>Any rational CF woman looking to get pregnant would take a look at the drugs she's taking to make sure they're compatible with pregnancy. If she's taking NSAIDs then she'll most likely find an alternative to take for the duration of the pregnancy. Can you tell me what study you've read or what data you're using to come up with your assertion that "CF women are not healthy enough to sustain a pregnancy"??? I'm very curious and I want to read it for myself. </i>

I do agree with Lauren in some aspects though: if you're not in good health to begin with you shouldn't have a baby. In the 2 years I have been on this site I have seen a women pop in from time to time saying (I am exaggerating a bit here): my PFTS are in the 30s, I have PA, MRSA, B. Cepacia, CFRD, and I weigh 80 pounds - but I want ot have a baby! Well, no, no one would encourage that woman to get pregnant - but, for many other women who are in relatively good health with stable PFTS and a reliable history - there seems to reason not to encourage them if they already have the desire to have a baby. And, being the boob-nazi that I am, I do think that if you arten't healthy enough to breastfeed that baby after you have it because of your weight or certain unsafe meds that you can't be off of - well, that should factor in too - I mean why do this baby thing if you cannot give it 100%?? The after care is just as importnant as the pregnancy. I bet the hypothetical woman I listed above might be able to carry a baby to term, but what would be the aftermath for her as opposed to a woman like myself with PFTS in the 70s, stable weight, not on a host of abx or other meds, etc.? and that's not to say that I don't realize that my own health could easily slip, but only that so far, through two pregnancies and eight years of motherhood and nearly a year of breastfeeding, it has not yet.

So, as Emily said, you can't paint the picture 100% either way - it's too gray.

I am pretty sure my stats are NOT registered with the CFF - and I have 2 kids, so factor people like me into the mix, plus I have had a miscarriage, completely unrelated to CF.

wanderlost · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

i've fallen a bit behind in this conversation - but I think Caroline summed up a lot of what I would have said here:

<i>There is a lot of debate and unknowns regarding miscarriages. Sure some women w/ CF who get pregnant will miscarry due to their nutritional status or whatnot. But why discourage a healthy woman with good nutrition and pulmonary function from getting pregnant? I just don't see it. All the studies I've read (and I've read lots) say that pregnancy in healthy CF women can be successful and has no bearing on their decline due to CF. Miscarriages can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons and most of them I'm willing to bet are not only found in CF women. </i>

<i>Any rational CF woman looking to get pregnant would take a look at the drugs she's taking to make sure they're compatible with pregnancy. If she's taking NSAIDs then she'll most likely find an alternative to take for the duration of the pregnancy. Can you tell me what study you've read or what data you're using to come up with your assertion that "CF women are not healthy enough to sustain a pregnancy"??? I'm very curious and I want to read it for myself. </i>

I do agree with Lauren in some aspects though: if you're not in good health to begin with you shouldn't have a baby. In the 2 years I have been on this site I have seen a women pop in from time to time saying (I am exaggerating a bit here): my PFTS are in the 30s, I have PA, MRSA, B. Cepacia, CFRD, and I weigh 80 pounds - but I want ot have a baby! Well, no, no one would encourage that woman to get pregnant - but, for many other women who are in relatively good health with stable PFTS and a reliable history - there seems to reason not to encourage them if they already have the desire to have a baby. And, being the boob-nazi that I am, I do think that if you arten't healthy enough to breastfeed that baby after you have it because of your weight or certain unsafe meds that you can't be off of - well, that should factor in too - I mean why do this baby thing if you cannot give it 100%?? The after care is just as importnant as the pregnancy. I bet the hypothetical woman I listed above might be able to carry a baby to term, but what would be the aftermath for her as opposed to a woman like myself with PFTS in the 70s, stable weight, not on a host of abx or other meds, etc.? and that's not to say that I don't realize that my own health could easily slip, but only that so far, through two pregnancies and eight years of motherhood and nearly a year of breastfeeding, it has not yet.

So, as Emily said, you can't paint the picture 100% either way - it's too gray.

I am pretty sure my stats are NOT registered with the CFF - and I have 2 kids, so factor people like me into the mix, plus I have had a miscarriage, completely unrelated to CF.

lightNlife · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

I too see both sides of it, Wanderlost. Back in my first post I said the following:

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>
Perhaps as more treatments options become available, and young women are able to reach and maintain a steady BMI of 22, along with a prolonged FEV1 of greater than 80%, pregnancy will no longer be the high risk for us that it currently is.</end quote></div>

As we've all been discussing this (I'm so glad it's been discussion, not argument) most of us have reached the same point of view that for REASONABLY HEALTHY CFers, pregnancy IS an option. It's the lower functioning ladies who need to really examine the situation and evaluate whether the risks are worth it.

What a lot of the data, studies, and even anecdotal evidence from our members here is suggesting, is that clearly there is a range of opportunity in which pregnancy with CF is a good idea. It's encouraging to see that as we are living longer and maintaining better health, being a parent is an option. Caroline and Wanderlost did indeed sum it up nicely.

Like I've said before, I'm not trying to discourage healthy women (high BMI, high FEV1, etc) from wanting to expand their families. But as someone pointed out to me, doing so requires a very attentive CF Team. There are a great many things that need to be in place in order to have a successful pregnancy, and the studies I've read all say so.

For women life myself who have had to close the door on the opportunity to bear children because of poorer health, that decision is a difficult one to make as well. I've been fortunate to have a great support system of friends, family, and even doctors, who don't give me false hope about it. Our choice is right for us based on our circumstances. Wanderlost and Caroline and others, your decision was based on the viable options for you. Irishgal, Princessjdc and even Seana's daughter still have decisions to make in this department.

It's my prayer and hope that each woman will take the information available to her and exercise discernment and wisdom. I wish them the best on all counts.

lightNlife · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

I too see both sides of it, Wanderlost. Back in my first post I said the following:

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>
Perhaps as more treatments options become available, and young women are able to reach and maintain a steady BMI of 22, along with a prolonged FEV1 of greater than 80%, pregnancy will no longer be the high risk for us that it currently is.</end quote></div>

As we've all been discussing this (I'm so glad it's been discussion, not argument) most of us have reached the same point of view that for REASONABLY HEALTHY CFers, pregnancy IS an option. It's the lower functioning ladies who need to really examine the situation and evaluate whether the risks are worth it.

What a lot of the data, studies, and even anecdotal evidence from our members here is suggesting, is that clearly there is a range of opportunity in which pregnancy with CF is a good idea. It's encouraging to see that as we are living longer and maintaining better health, being a parent is an option. Caroline and Wanderlost did indeed sum it up nicely.

Like I've said before, I'm not trying to discourage healthy women (high BMI, high FEV1, etc) from wanting to expand their families. But as someone pointed out to me, doing so requires a very attentive CF Team. There are a great many things that need to be in place in order to have a successful pregnancy, and the studies I've read all say so.

For women life myself who have had to close the door on the opportunity to bear children because of poorer health, that decision is a difficult one to make as well. I've been fortunate to have a great support system of friends, family, and even doctors, who don't give me false hope about it. Our choice is right for us based on our circumstances. Wanderlost and Caroline and others, your decision was based on the viable options for you. Irishgal, Princessjdc and even Seana's daughter still have decisions to make in this department.

It's my prayer and hope that each woman will take the information available to her and exercise discernment and wisdom. I wish them the best on all counts.

lightNlife · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

I too see both sides of it, Wanderlost. Back in my first post I said the following:

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>
Perhaps as more treatments options become available, and young women are able to reach and maintain a steady BMI of 22, along with a prolonged FEV1 of greater than 80%, pregnancy will no longer be the high risk for us that it currently is.</end quote></div>

As we've all been discussing this (I'm so glad it's been discussion, not argument) most of us have reached the same point of view that for REASONABLY HEALTHY CFers, pregnancy IS an option. It's the lower functioning ladies who need to really examine the situation and evaluate whether the risks are worth it.

What a lot of the data, studies, and even anecdotal evidence from our members here is suggesting, is that clearly there is a range of opportunity in which pregnancy with CF is a good idea. It's encouraging to see that as we are living longer and maintaining better health, being a parent is an option. Caroline and Wanderlost did indeed sum it up nicely.

Like I've said before, I'm not trying to discourage healthy women (high BMI, high FEV1, etc) from wanting to expand their families. But as someone pointed out to me, doing so requires a very attentive CF Team. There are a great many things that need to be in place in order to have a successful pregnancy, and the studies I've read all say so.

For women life myself who have had to close the door on the opportunity to bear children because of poorer health, that decision is a difficult one to make as well. I've been fortunate to have a great support system of friends, family, and even doctors, who don't give me false hope about it. Our choice is right for us based on our circumstances. Wanderlost and Caroline and others, your decision was based on the viable options for you. Irishgal, Princessjdc and even Seana's daughter still have decisions to make in this department.

It's my prayer and hope that each woman will take the information available to her and exercise discernment and wisdom. I wish them the best on all counts.

lightNlife · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

I too see both sides of it, Wanderlost. Back in my first post I said the following:

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>
Perhaps as more treatments options become available, and young women are able to reach and maintain a steady BMI of 22, along with a prolonged FEV1 of greater than 80%, pregnancy will no longer be the high risk for us that it currently is.</end quote>

As we've all been discussing this (I'm so glad it's been discussion, not argument) most of us have reached the same point of view that for REASONABLY HEALTHY CFers, pregnancy IS an option. It's the lower functioning ladies who need to really examine the situation and evaluate whether the risks are worth it.

What a lot of the data, studies, and even anecdotal evidence from our members here is suggesting, is that clearly there is a range of opportunity in which pregnancy with CF is a good idea. It's encouraging to see that as we are living longer and maintaining better health, being a parent is an option. Caroline and Wanderlost did indeed sum it up nicely.

Like I've said before, I'm not trying to discourage healthy women (high BMI, high FEV1, etc) from wanting to expand their families. But as someone pointed out to me, doing so requires a very attentive CF Team. There are a great many things that need to be in place in order to have a successful pregnancy, and the studies I've read all say so.

For women life myself who have had to close the door on the opportunity to bear children because of poorer health, that decision is a difficult one to make as well. I've been fortunate to have a great support system of friends, family, and even doctors, who don't give me false hope about it. Our choice is right for us based on our circumstances. Wanderlost and Caroline and others, your decision was based on the viable options for you. Irishgal, Princessjdc and even Seana's daughter still have decisions to make in this department.

It's my prayer and hope that each woman will take the information available to her and exercise discernment and wisdom. I wish them the best on all counts.

lightNlife · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

I too see both sides of it, Wanderlost. Back in my first post I said the following:

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>
Perhaps as more treatments options become available, and young women are able to reach and maintain a steady BMI of 22, along with a prolonged FEV1 of greater than 80%, pregnancy will no longer be the high risk for us that it currently is.</end quote>

As we've all been discussing this (I'm so glad it's been discussion, not argument) most of us have reached the same point of view that for REASONABLY HEALTHY CFers, pregnancy IS an option. It's the lower functioning ladies who need to really examine the situation and evaluate whether the risks are worth it.

What a lot of the data, studies, and even anecdotal evidence from our members here is suggesting, is that clearly there is a range of opportunity in which pregnancy with CF is a good idea. It's encouraging to see that as we are living longer and maintaining better health, being a parent is an option. Caroline and Wanderlost did indeed sum it up nicely.

Like I've said before, I'm not trying to discourage healthy women (high BMI, high FEV1, etc) from wanting to expand their families. But as someone pointed out to me, doing so requires a very attentive CF Team. There are a great many things that need to be in place in order to have a successful pregnancy, and the studies I've read all say so.

For women life myself who have had to close the door on the opportunity to bear children because of poorer health, that decision is a difficult one to make as well. I've been fortunate to have a great support system of friends, family, and even doctors, who don't give me false hope about it. Our choice is right for us based on our circumstances. Wanderlost and Caroline and others, your decision was based on the viable options for you. Irishgal, Princessjdc and even Seana's daughter still have decisions to make in this department.

It's my prayer and hope that each woman will take the information available to her and exercise discernment and wisdom. I wish them the best on all counts.

chrissyd · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

I have tried to have children, after 5 miscarriages, we knew why it wasn't working. My blood clots quickly and a placenta couldn't be formed correctly; however that could be fixed with daily blood thinner injections. My CF Dr fought me every step of the way, she definately discouraged me...but I didn't listen. Then as I got older and my daughter Kate (not biologically) got older, I realized that if my CF dr was against it, she had her reasons. She is head CF dr at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and I have come to trust her advice on everything. I believe that I have her to thank for believe I have her to thank for being 30!

Having a child is a very personal choice for all of us...my choice was not too. I try to give my opinion on that situation only when asked about it, and I try to give an opinion based on other information besides CF (but including it also).

I guess what I'm suggesting is that before any CFer or parents of CFer's decide to have a baby, is to please consider everything. It's the only way to make a fair and balanced choice.

(My CF dr explained to me why she didn't think it was a good idea for me, also gave me passed #'s and predicted future #'s...I do have other health issues besides CF which all together would complicate things. It took me a while to get over myself enough to entertain the thought that my dr was thinking about my best interest.)

<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

Chrissy 30 w/CF

chrissyd · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

I have tried to have children, after 5 miscarriages, we knew why it wasn't working. My blood clots quickly and a placenta couldn't be formed correctly; however that could be fixed with daily blood thinner injections. My CF Dr fought me every step of the way, she definately discouraged me...but I didn't listen. Then as I got older and my daughter Kate (not biologically) got older, I realized that if my CF dr was against it, she had her reasons. She is head CF dr at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and I have come to trust her advice on everything. I believe that I have her to thank for believe I have her to thank for being 30!

Having a child is a very personal choice for all of us...my choice was not too. I try to give my opinion on that situation only when asked about it, and I try to give an opinion based on other information besides CF (but including it also).

I guess what I'm suggesting is that before any CFer or parents of CFer's decide to have a baby, is to please consider everything. It's the only way to make a fair and balanced choice.

(My CF dr explained to me why she didn't think it was a good idea for me, also gave me passed #'s and predicted future #'s...I do have other health issues besides CF which all together would complicate things. It took me a while to get over myself enough to entertain the thought that my dr was thinking about my best interest.)

<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

Chrissy 30 w/CF

chrissyd · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

I have tried to have children, after 5 miscarriages, we knew why it wasn't working. My blood clots quickly and a placenta couldn't be formed correctly; however that could be fixed with daily blood thinner injections. My CF Dr fought me every step of the way, she definately discouraged me...but I didn't listen. Then as I got older and my daughter Kate (not biologically) got older, I realized that if my CF dr was against it, she had her reasons. She is head CF dr at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and I have come to trust her advice on everything. I believe that I have her to thank for believe I have her to thank for being 30!

Having a child is a very personal choice for all of us...my choice was not too. I try to give my opinion on that situation only when asked about it, and I try to give an opinion based on other information besides CF (but including it also).

I guess what I'm suggesting is that before any CFer or parents of CFer's decide to have a baby, is to please consider everything. It's the only way to make a fair and balanced choice.

(My CF dr explained to me why she didn't think it was a good idea for me, also gave me passed #'s and predicted future #'s...I do have other health issues besides CF which all together would complicate things. It took me a while to get over myself enough to entertain the thought that my dr was thinking about my best interest.)

<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

Chrissy 30 w/CF

chrissyd · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

I have tried to have children, after 5 miscarriages, we knew why it wasn't working. My blood clots quickly and a placenta couldn't be formed correctly; however that could be fixed with daily blood thinner injections. My CF Dr fought me every step of the way, she definately discouraged me...but I didn't listen. Then as I got older and my daughter Kate (not biologically) got older, I realized that if my CF dr was against it, she had her reasons. She is head CF dr at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and I have come to trust her advice on everything. I believe that I have her to thank for believe I have her to thank for being 30!

Having a child is a very personal choice for all of us...my choice was not too. I try to give my opinion on that situation only when asked about it, and I try to give an opinion based on other information besides CF (but including it also).

I guess what I'm suggesting is that before any CFer or parents of CFer's decide to have a baby, is to please consider everything. It's the only way to make a fair and balanced choice.

(My CF dr explained to me why she didn't think it was a good idea for me, also gave me passed #'s and predicted future #'s...I do have other health issues besides CF which all together would complicate things. It took me a while to get over myself enough to entertain the thought that my dr was thinking about my best interest.)

<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

Chrissy 30 w/CF

chrissyd · Aug 20, 2007

Odds of a Successful Pregnancy

I have tried to have children, after 5 miscarriages, we knew why it wasn't working. My blood clots quickly and a placenta couldn't be formed correctly; however that could be fixed with daily blood thinner injections. My CF Dr fought me every step of the way, she definately discouraged me...but I didn't listen. Then as I got older and my daughter Kate (not biologically) got older, I realized that if my CF dr was against it, she had her reasons. She is head CF dr at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and I have come to trust her advice on everything. I believe that I have her to thank for believe I have her to thank for being 30!

Having a child is a very personal choice for all of us...my choice was not too. I try to give my opinion on that situation only when asked about it, and I try to give an opinion based on other information besides CF (but including it also).

I guess what I'm suggesting is that before any CFer or parents of CFer's decide to have a baby, is to please consider everything. It's the only way to make a fair and balanced choice.

(My CF dr explained to me why she didn't think it was a good idea for me, also gave me passed #'s and predicted future #'s...I do have other health issues besides CF which all together would complicate things. It took me a while to get over myself enough to entertain the thought that my dr was thinking about my best interest.)

<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

Chrissy 30 w/CF

jbrandonAW · Aug 20, 2007