I wanted to pop in here and offer some hard facts. Check out <A href="http://www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama">www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama</A> for the latest research and information on fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and staying healthy as a parent with CF. This is especially for Coltsfan715. The current research states that except for those with B. Cepacia, pregnancy does not alter the prior course of the disease. This means, if you are stable going into pregnancy, you will stay stable. If you are in a decline, you will continue to decline. If you are in an improvment, you will continue to improve. If you have special concerns about pregnancy, like CFRD, check the above website's page "Special Concerns of Pregnancy".I personally have been healthier since my daughter's birth. I am sick much less often. My PFTs are slightly lower (high 80s-low 90s from high 90s), but my actual health has improved. Better immune system, PFTs are stable (not continuing to decline). My pregnancy was incredibly healthy and the birth as well. I actually had my daughter at home with a midwife. I was able to breastfeed successfully - exclusively for 13 months and then I continued to nurse her for quite a bit longer. Yes, you do need to weigh your condition with your convictions/desires and your doctors' input. Make sure you do check out the website and get the facts before you resign yourself to childlessness. Keep in mind that there are lots of choices you can make during pregnancy, birth and as a parent that can help you to be healthier than others. Because many of us will end up with transplants later in life, we have to think about what that will do to us. The anti-rejection drugs have cancer-causing side effects. So, in some cases, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding, by reducing your risk for cancer can help you be healthier post-transplant. There are numerous parents with CF at my clinic (moms and dads). One mom has four children (one set of twins) and is very healthy - I've actually never gotten to meet her because her clinic visits are infrequent and her hospitalizations few. When I was pregnant, it was at a different clinic and I was the first CF pregnancy they'd ever dealt with. I had to do my own research and call the shots because they were flying blind. Even at my current clinic, it is surprising how often they are not up on the very latest - especially regarding parenthood. Think about it, with all of their responsibilities they have little time to sit down and research a particular situation in depth for a single patient. If you want to get all the info and weigh your specific situation, you have to do it. By all means, gather information, print it off and take it to your doctor to review. But, ultimately it is you who is responsible for your choices and your health. Doctors are mearly consultants, guides, advisors. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
