Trying for a baby (or #2)

[LouLou]

Certainly a lot of planning went into me getting pregnant with #1. My criteria was roughly that I wanted to have my husband not be a carrier, have my doctors blessing, be the best health possible, have stable lung health, be financially well off enough that I could hire any help that my support system did not provide, maintain a good cf BMI and I wanted to get pregnant without medical intervention.

I was blessed to have stable lung function at 67% as long as I did my treatments vigorously and did my high impact aerobics classes before my pregnancy. Pretty much anything I wanted I could achieve. My health was my #1 priority that as long as I managed I could do everything else...be a good wife, a good employee and friend.

Pregnancy was great for me. As I've written on here if I could be a surregate as a career I would likely chose it. LOL. Of course, I realize not every pregnancy is the same and that negative reprocussions could come from a pregnancy. In every way, it seemed quite simply (actually my dr put it this way) that I could make a list and was used to being able to check everything off my list.
<UL>Work out</UL>check
<UL>Gain 2 lbs per week</UL>check
<UL>Get raise at work</UL>check
<UL>Keep husband happy</UL>check
...you get the idea.
The biggest challenge I had while pregnant was gaining weight. I wanted so badly to gain the "normal" amount because in my eyes (and probably my dr's too) I shouldn't expect good health and priviledges like nursing my son if I couldn't take care of myself. So I worked like mad eating and gained 26 lbs. in the end.

I took a lot of pride in the fact that I was clearly the most successful pregnancy my doctor had ever seen in his 40 years of working in the cf world.

I regained my lung function very quickly (partly because I never lost it and I am long torsoed). I still have my pre-pregnancy lung function but things are not the same. I can not check off that pre-pregnancy checklist that I mention in the first paragraph. ANd why would I go into a 2nd pregnancy not meeting my first pregnancy goals? I frequently exacerbate requiring IVs 4 times in 2009 alone. Prior to pregnancy I only had IVs over age 18 2x. Also the stakes are higher. I want to survive for my little Isaac and my dear husband. So for me I am content with one. I do think this decision will not always be an easy one to accept but for now I am content.

 

[LouLou]

Certainly a lot of planning went into me getting pregnant with #1. My criteria was roughly that I wanted to have my husband not be a carrier, have my doctors blessing, be the best health possible, have stable lung health, be financially well off enough that I could hire any help that my support system did not provide, maintain a good cf BMI and I wanted to get pregnant without medical intervention.

I was blessed to have stable lung function at 67% as long as I did my treatments vigorously and did my high impact aerobics classes before my pregnancy. Pretty much anything I wanted I could achieve. My health was my #1 priority that as long as I managed I could do everything else...be a good wife, a good employee and friend.

Pregnancy was great for me. As I've written on here if I could be a surregate as a career I would likely chose it. LOL. Of course, I realize not every pregnancy is the same and that negative reprocussions could come from a pregnancy. In every way, it seemed quite simply (actually my dr put it this way) that I could make a list and was used to being able to check everything off my list.
<UL>Work out</UL>check
<UL>Gain 2 lbs per week</UL>check
<UL>Get raise at work</UL>check
<UL>Keep husband happy</UL>check
...you get the idea.
The biggest challenge I had while pregnant was gaining weight. I wanted so badly to gain the "normal" amount because in my eyes (and probably my dr's too) I shouldn't expect good health and priviledges like nursing my son if I couldn't take care of myself. So I worked like mad eating and gained 26 lbs. in the end.

I took a lot of pride in the fact that I was clearly the most successful pregnancy my doctor had ever seen in his 40 years of working in the cf world.

I regained my lung function very quickly (partly because I never lost it and I am long torsoed). I still have my pre-pregnancy lung function but things are not the same. I can not check off that pre-pregnancy checklist that I mention in the first paragraph. ANd why would I go into a 2nd pregnancy not meeting my first pregnancy goals? I frequently exacerbate requiring IVs 4 times in 2009 alone. Prior to pregnancy I only had IVs over age 18 2x. Also the stakes are higher. I want to survive for my little Isaac and my dear husband. So for me I am content with one. I do think this decision will not always be an easy one to accept but for now I am content.

 

[LouLou]

Certainly a lot of planning went into me getting pregnant with #1. My criteria was roughly that I wanted to have my husband not be a carrier, have my doctors blessing, be the best health possible, have stable lung health, be financially well off enough that I could hire any help that my support system did not provide, maintain a good cf BMI and I wanted to get pregnant without medical intervention.

I was blessed to have stable lung function at 67% as long as I did my treatments vigorously and did my high impact aerobics classes before my pregnancy. Pretty much anything I wanted I could achieve. My health was my #1 priority that as long as I managed I could do everything else...be a good wife, a good employee and friend.

Pregnancy was great for me. As I've written on here if I could be a surregate as a career I would likely chose it. LOL. Of course, I realize not every pregnancy is the same and that negative reprocussions could come from a pregnancy. In every way, it seemed quite simply (actually my dr put it this way) that I could make a list and was used to being able to check everything off my list.
<UL>Work out</UL>check
<UL>Gain 2 lbs per week</UL>check
<UL>Get raise at work</UL>check
<UL>Keep husband happy</UL>check
...you get the idea.
The biggest challenge I had while pregnant was gaining weight. I wanted so badly to gain the "normal" amount because in my eyes (and probably my dr's too) I shouldn't expect good health and priviledges like nursing my son if I couldn't take care of myself. So I worked like mad eating and gained 26 lbs. in the end.

I took a lot of pride in the fact that I was clearly the most successful pregnancy my doctor had ever seen in his 40 years of working in the cf world.

I regained my lung function very quickly (partly because I never lost it and I am long torsoed). I still have my pre-pregnancy lung function but things are not the same. I can not check off that pre-pregnancy checklist that I mention in the first paragraph. ANd why would I go into a 2nd pregnancy not meeting my first pregnancy goals? I frequently exacerbate requiring IVs 4 times in 2009 alone. Prior to pregnancy I only had IVs over age 18 2x. Also the stakes are higher. I want to survive for my little Isaac and my dear husband. So for me I am content with one. I do think this decision will not always be an easy one to accept but for now I am content.

 

[LouLou]

Certainly a lot of planning went into me getting pregnant with #1. My criteria was roughly that I wanted to have my husband not be a carrier, have my doctors blessing, be the best health possible, have stable lung health, be financially well off enough that I could hire any help that my support system did not provide, maintain a good cf BMI and I wanted to get pregnant without medical intervention.

I was blessed to have stable lung function at 67% as long as I did my treatments vigorously and did my high impact aerobics classes before my pregnancy. Pretty much anything I wanted I could achieve. My health was my #1 priority that as long as I managed I could do everything else...be a good wife, a good employee and friend.

Pregnancy was great for me. As I've written on here if I could be a surregate as a career I would likely chose it. LOL. Of course, I realize not every pregnancy is the same and that negative reprocussions could come from a pregnancy. In every way, it seemed quite simply (actually my dr put it this way) that I could make a list and was used to being able to check everything off my list.
<UL>Work out</UL>check
<UL>Gain 2 lbs per week</UL>check
<UL>Get raise at work</UL>check
<UL>Keep husband happy</UL>check
...you get the idea.
The biggest challenge I had while pregnant was gaining weight. I wanted so badly to gain the "normal" amount because in my eyes (and probably my dr's too) I shouldn't expect good health and priviledges like nursing my son if I couldn't take care of myself. So I worked like mad eating and gained 26 lbs. in the end.

I took a lot of pride in the fact that I was clearly the most successful pregnancy my doctor had ever seen in his 40 years of working in the cf world.

I regained my lung function very quickly (partly because I never lost it and I am long torsoed). I still have my pre-pregnancy lung function but things are not the same. I can not check off that pre-pregnancy checklist that I mention in the first paragraph. ANd why would I go into a 2nd pregnancy not meeting my first pregnancy goals? I frequently exacerbate requiring IVs 4 times in 2009 alone. Prior to pregnancy I only had IVs over age 18 2x. Also the stakes are higher. I want to survive for my little Isaac and my dear husband. So for me I am content with one. I do think this decision will not always be an easy one to accept but for now I am content.

 

[LouLou]

Certainly a lot of planning went into me getting pregnant with #1. My criteria was roughly that I wanted to have my husband not be a carrier, have my doctors blessing, be the best health possible, have stable lung health, be financially well off enough that I could hire any help that my support system did not provide, maintain a good cf BMI and I wanted to get pregnant without medical intervention.
<br />
<br />I was blessed to have stable lung function at 67% as long as I did my treatments vigorously and did my high impact aerobics classes before my pregnancy. Pretty much anything I wanted I could achieve. My health was my #1 priority that as long as I managed I could do everything else...be a good wife, a good employee and friend.
<br />
<br />Pregnancy was great for me. As I've written on here if I could be a surregate as a career I would likely chose it. LOL. Of course, I realize not every pregnancy is the same and that negative reprocussions could come from a pregnancy. In every way, it seemed quite simply (actually my dr put it this way) that I could make a list and was used to being able to check everything off my list.
<br /><UL>Work out</UL>check
<br /><UL>Gain 2 lbs per week</UL>check
<br /><UL>Get raise at work</UL>check
<br /><UL>Keep husband happy</UL>check
<br />...you get the idea.
<br />The biggest challenge I had while pregnant was gaining weight. I wanted so badly to gain the "normal" amount because in my eyes (and probably my dr's too) I shouldn't expect good health and priviledges like nursing my son if I couldn't take care of myself. So I worked like mad eating and gained 26 lbs. in the end.
<br />
<br />I took a lot of pride in the fact that I was clearly the most successful pregnancy my doctor had ever seen in his 40 years of working in the cf world.
<br />
<br />I regained my lung function very quickly (partly because I never lost it and I am long torsoed). I still have my pre-pregnancy lung function but things are not the same. I can not check off that pre-pregnancy checklist that I mention in the first paragraph. ANd why would I go into a 2nd pregnancy not meeting my first pregnancy goals? I frequently exacerbate requiring IVs 4 times in 2009 alone. Prior to pregnancy I only had IVs over age 18 2x. Also the stakes are higher. I want to survive for my little Isaac and my dear husband. So for me I am content with one. I do think this decision will not always be an easy one to accept but for now I am content.

 

[hopesiris]

I base the decision to try on how my health is and how long I think I will live. My doctor doesn't expect me to need a lung transplant or have a significantly shortened lifespan because I am 38 years old and CF has not scarred my lungs at all yet. I am also 100% compliant with my treatment despite a year of breastfeeding, early potty learning, making homemade baby food, washing cloth diapers and couponing to save us money. I can take shortcuts with a second child that I did not take with my first and we can pay for childcare or preschool if necessary.
My doctor did not give me medical clearance to carry twins if I do IVF. I agree with that decision and will honor it. I feel that my doctor trusts me with my self care and I trust her with making sure I don't put myself in any significant danger.

 

[hopesiris]

I base the decision to try on how my health is and how long I think I will live. My doctor doesn't expect me to need a lung transplant or have a significantly shortened lifespan because I am 38 years old and CF has not scarred my lungs at all yet. I am also 100% compliant with my treatment despite a year of breastfeeding, early potty learning, making homemade baby food, washing cloth diapers and couponing to save us money. I can take shortcuts with a second child that I did not take with my first and we can pay for childcare or preschool if necessary.
My doctor did not give me medical clearance to carry twins if I do IVF. I agree with that decision and will honor it. I feel that my doctor trusts me with my self care and I trust her with making sure I don't put myself in any significant danger.

 

[hopesiris]

I base the decision to try on how my health is and how long I think I will live. My doctor doesn't expect me to need a lung transplant or have a significantly shortened lifespan because I am 38 years old and CF has not scarred my lungs at all yet. I am also 100% compliant with my treatment despite a year of breastfeeding, early potty learning, making homemade baby food, washing cloth diapers and couponing to save us money. I can take shortcuts with a second child that I did not take with my first and we can pay for childcare or preschool if necessary.
My doctor did not give me medical clearance to carry twins if I do IVF. I agree with that decision and will honor it. I feel that my doctor trusts me with my self care and I trust her with making sure I don't put myself in any significant danger.

 

[hopesiris]

I base the decision to try on how my health is and how long I think I will live. My doctor doesn't expect me to need a lung transplant or have a significantly shortened lifespan because I am 38 years old and CF has not scarred my lungs at all yet. I am also 100% compliant with my treatment despite a year of breastfeeding, early potty learning, making homemade baby food, washing cloth diapers and couponing to save us money. I can take shortcuts with a second child that I did not take with my first and we can pay for childcare or preschool if necessary.
My doctor did not give me medical clearance to carry twins if I do IVF. I agree with that decision and will honor it. I feel that my doctor trusts me with my self care and I trust her with making sure I don't put myself in any significant danger.

 

[hopesiris]

I base the decision to try on how my health is and how long I think I will live. My doctor doesn't expect me to need a lung transplant or have a significantly shortened lifespan because I am 38 years old and CF has not scarred my lungs at all yet. I am also 100% compliant with my treatment despite a year of breastfeeding, early potty learning, making homemade baby food, washing cloth diapers and couponing to save us money. I can take shortcuts with a second child that I did not take with my first and we can pay for childcare or preschool if necessary.
<br />My doctor did not give me medical clearance to carry twins if I do IVF. I agree with that decision and will honor it. I feel that my doctor trusts me with my self care and I trust her with making sure I don't put myself in any significant danger.

 

[Jeana]

I forgot to add that my FEV1 went back up after having Alex. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Jeana]

I forgot to add that my FEV1 went back up after having Alex. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Jeana]

I forgot to add that my FEV1 went back up after having Alex. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Jeana]

I forgot to add that my FEV1 went back up after having Alex. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Jeana]

I forgot to add that my FEV1 went back up after having Alex. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[MamaBear]

I read this forum a lot, but don't post often. This topic is something I feel strongly enough about to respond to. I think this gets at the heart of our disease. One of the hardest things for me to understand my whole life is that this disease is very varied in how it effects people. And from my experience, this is a hard concept for doctors to totally grasp as well. That being said, sometimes it's hard to really relate to people on this forum, even though we all have the same disease. We each know CF personally, and it's hard to see it through other people's eyes.

So, more specifically, I'll just share my thought process for having one child, and being pregnant for a second right now. My life up until this point has been pretty much the same as anyone without CF. The only difference is that I have to work a little harder to maintain my health. The main point being that my health is maintained. I have never been restricted by CF and no doctor has ever told me I should expect to die soon. So why wouldn't a healthy, married woman whose life long dream is to raise kids have a family?

I was able to get pregnant naturally and easily both times. I started my first pregnancy with a bad stomach bug that put me in the hospital, However I bounced right back from that, gained almost 40 lbs throughout the pregnancy, and also increased my pfts throughout the whole thing. I delivered my 8lb son naturally at 40 weeks, and nursed him until he was 18 months old (and I was 4 months pregnant with #2). I am 29 weeks pregnant with the second baby right now, and doing great with this pregnancy as well (even with a 20 month old son to care for full time). My point is not to brag that I have done so well. It is to point out that it is possible for someone to have CF, and be healthy.

I do try to remember that some people, for whatever reason, are not as healthy with CF and still choose to have a family. And I am happy for them as well. I think there are other situations where I would say "why would that person have a baby?", but having CF, and maybe dying young is not one of them. I think the important thing is to help your baby be as healthy as it can be, teach it to love, and be lovable, and teach it that death is a normal part of life that happens to everyone. I don't think it is ever selfish to want to bring new life into this world when you have a stable life, and two parents who want to raise it up right. If you do die young, I think children are a beautiful gift to leave to your loved ones.

 

[MamaBear]

I read this forum a lot, but don't post often. This topic is something I feel strongly enough about to respond to. I think this gets at the heart of our disease. One of the hardest things for me to understand my whole life is that this disease is very varied in how it effects people. And from my experience, this is a hard concept for doctors to totally grasp as well. That being said, sometimes it's hard to really relate to people on this forum, even though we all have the same disease. We each know CF personally, and it's hard to see it through other people's eyes.

So, more specifically, I'll just share my thought process for having one child, and being pregnant for a second right now. My life up until this point has been pretty much the same as anyone without CF. The only difference is that I have to work a little harder to maintain my health. The main point being that my health is maintained. I have never been restricted by CF and no doctor has ever told me I should expect to die soon. So why wouldn't a healthy, married woman whose life long dream is to raise kids have a family?

I was able to get pregnant naturally and easily both times. I started my first pregnancy with a bad stomach bug that put me in the hospital, However I bounced right back from that, gained almost 40 lbs throughout the pregnancy, and also increased my pfts throughout the whole thing. I delivered my 8lb son naturally at 40 weeks, and nursed him until he was 18 months old (and I was 4 months pregnant with #2). I am 29 weeks pregnant with the second baby right now, and doing great with this pregnancy as well (even with a 20 month old son to care for full time). My point is not to brag that I have done so well. It is to point out that it is possible for someone to have CF, and be healthy.

I do try to remember that some people, for whatever reason, are not as healthy with CF and still choose to have a family. And I am happy for them as well. I think there are other situations where I would say "why would that person have a baby?", but having CF, and maybe dying young is not one of them. I think the important thing is to help your baby be as healthy as it can be, teach it to love, and be lovable, and teach it that death is a normal part of life that happens to everyone. I don't think it is ever selfish to want to bring new life into this world when you have a stable life, and two parents who want to raise it up right. If you do die young, I think children are a beautiful gift to leave to your loved ones.

 

[MamaBear]

I read this forum a lot, but don't post often. This topic is something I feel strongly enough about to respond to. I think this gets at the heart of our disease. One of the hardest things for me to understand my whole life is that this disease is very varied in how it effects people. And from my experience, this is a hard concept for doctors to totally grasp as well. That being said, sometimes it's hard to really relate to people on this forum, even though we all have the same disease. We each know CF personally, and it's hard to see it through other people's eyes.

So, more specifically, I'll just share my thought process for having one child, and being pregnant for a second right now. My life up until this point has been pretty much the same as anyone without CF. The only difference is that I have to work a little harder to maintain my health. The main point being that my health is maintained. I have never been restricted by CF and no doctor has ever told me I should expect to die soon. So why wouldn't a healthy, married woman whose life long dream is to raise kids have a family?

I was able to get pregnant naturally and easily both times. I started my first pregnancy with a bad stomach bug that put me in the hospital, However I bounced right back from that, gained almost 40 lbs throughout the pregnancy, and also increased my pfts throughout the whole thing. I delivered my 8lb son naturally at 40 weeks, and nursed him until he was 18 months old (and I was 4 months pregnant with #2). I am 29 weeks pregnant with the second baby right now, and doing great with this pregnancy as well (even with a 20 month old son to care for full time). My point is not to brag that I have done so well. It is to point out that it is possible for someone to have CF, and be healthy.

I do try to remember that some people, for whatever reason, are not as healthy with CF and still choose to have a family. And I am happy for them as well. I think there are other situations where I would say "why would that person have a baby?", but having CF, and maybe dying young is not one of them. I think the important thing is to help your baby be as healthy as it can be, teach it to love, and be lovable, and teach it that death is a normal part of life that happens to everyone. I don't think it is ever selfish to want to bring new life into this world when you have a stable life, and two parents who want to raise it up right. If you do die young, I think children are a beautiful gift to leave to your loved ones.

 

[MamaBear]

I read this forum a lot, but don't post often. This topic is something I feel strongly enough about to respond to. I think this gets at the heart of our disease. One of the hardest things for me to understand my whole life is that this disease is very varied in how it effects people. And from my experience, this is a hard concept for doctors to totally grasp as well. That being said, sometimes it's hard to really relate to people on this forum, even though we all have the same disease. We each know CF personally, and it's hard to see it through other people's eyes.

So, more specifically, I'll just share my thought process for having one child, and being pregnant for a second right now. My life up until this point has been pretty much the same as anyone without CF. The only difference is that I have to work a little harder to maintain my health. The main point being that my health is maintained. I have never been restricted by CF and no doctor has ever told me I should expect to die soon. So why wouldn't a healthy, married woman whose life long dream is to raise kids have a family?

I was able to get pregnant naturally and easily both times. I started my first pregnancy with a bad stomach bug that put me in the hospital, However I bounced right back from that, gained almost 40 lbs throughout the pregnancy, and also increased my pfts throughout the whole thing. I delivered my 8lb son naturally at 40 weeks, and nursed him until he was 18 months old (and I was 4 months pregnant with #2). I am 29 weeks pregnant with the second baby right now, and doing great with this pregnancy as well (even with a 20 month old son to care for full time). My point is not to brag that I have done so well. It is to point out that it is possible for someone to have CF, and be healthy.

I do try to remember that some people, for whatever reason, are not as healthy with CF and still choose to have a family. And I am happy for them as well. I think there are other situations where I would say "why would that person have a baby?", but having CF, and maybe dying young is not one of them. I think the important thing is to help your baby be as healthy as it can be, teach it to love, and be lovable, and teach it that death is a normal part of life that happens to everyone. I don't think it is ever selfish to want to bring new life into this world when you have a stable life, and two parents who want to raise it up right. If you do die young, I think children are a beautiful gift to leave to your loved ones.

 

[MamaBear]

I read this forum a lot, but don't post often. This topic is something I feel strongly enough about to respond to. I think this gets at the heart of our disease. One of the hardest things for me to understand my whole life is that this disease is very varied in how it effects people. And from my experience, this is a hard concept for doctors to totally grasp as well. That being said, sometimes it's hard to really relate to people on this forum, even though we all have the same disease. We each know CF personally, and it's hard to see it through other people's eyes.
<br />
<br />So, more specifically, I'll just share my thought process for having one child, and being pregnant for a second right now. My life up until this point has been pretty much the same as anyone without CF. The only difference is that I have to work a little harder to maintain my health. The main point being that my health is maintained. I have never been restricted by CF and no doctor has ever told me I should expect to die soon. So why wouldn't a healthy, married woman whose life long dream is to raise kids have a family?
<br />
<br />I was able to get pregnant naturally and easily both times. I started my first pregnancy with a bad stomach bug that put me in the hospital, However I bounced right back from that, gained almost 40 lbs throughout the pregnancy, and also increased my pfts throughout the whole thing. I delivered my 8lb son naturally at 40 weeks, and nursed him until he was 18 months old (and I was 4 months pregnant with #2). I am 29 weeks pregnant with the second baby right now, and doing great with this pregnancy as well (even with a 20 month old son to care for full time). My point is not to brag that I have done so well. It is to point out that it is possible for someone to have CF, and be healthy.
<br />
<br />I do try to remember that some people, for whatever reason, are not as healthy with CF and still choose to have a family. And I am happy for them as well. I think there are other situations where I would say "why would that person have a baby?", but having CF, and maybe dying young is not one of them. I think the important thing is to help your baby be as healthy as it can be, teach it to love, and be lovable, and teach it that death is a normal part of life that happens to everyone. I don't think it is ever selfish to want to bring new life into this world when you have a stable life, and two parents who want to raise it up right. If you do die young, I think children are a beautiful gift to leave to your loved ones.