| I am 43, have Cystic Fibrosis, and have had one daughter, the natural way. She is now 21 and does not have CF, but is a carrier. I had a pretty good pregnancy and delivery. In my opinion, how the pregnancy goes depends greatly on your general condition before you get pregnant (and this is supported by research findings). My lung functions were about 85% at that time, at age 21, so I was relatively healthy. Now, they are about 50%, so it has declined gradually over time. I had borderline gestational diabetes, which I was able to control with diet alone. Oral antibiotics were used to treat a lung infection during the time that I was pregnant. I have been on IV antibiotics only once, recently at the age of 42. I also had a polypectomy under general anesthesia in my second trimester, because my sinuses were miserable at that time. I delivered my baby one month early, but I don't think that it was related to my CF, because my sister without CF did exactly the same thing. Therefore, because my baby was only six pounds, the delivery was very short and easy.
By delivering the natural way, I mean vaginally. I wanted everything done with as little medical intervention as possible, but it ended up being a highly medical thing. I had the IV's, no food or drink, enema, shave, oxygen mask, constant monitoring, forceps, episiotomy, no walking, etc... However, I did not use any pain medication at all, no epidural, no IV pain meds or anything. I was not too crazy about the use of forceps. The doctor's reasoning was that since she was one month premature, and her head was smaller and softer than normal, etc...he didn't want the head to stay in the birth canal for longer than necessary. I didn't agree with that explanation, but, hey, this was one doctor that it is hard to argue with. It is my personal opinion that it was because the doc wanted to get it done quickly (it was 4 in the morning...LOL). If it were to do all over again, I would be more vocal! The forceps left Jennifer with a bump on her head that lasted for months. I even had her x-rayed just to make sure he hadn't caused permanent damage. Also, I did not feel I needed an episiotomy, because of her small head, but he insisted, basically for the same reason: to minimise pressure on her head. From the time I arrived at the hospital, to delivery, it was less than 3 hours! Even with the interventions, it was rather easy... She weighed 6 lbs, which is not so small. She had jaundice after she was born, but many babies get that, especially if they are born before term. A few days under the bili lights, and she was okay. I did breastfeed her, but I was not very successful at it, so I only did it for two months. I sure wish I had support like this web site back then. I so very much wanted to nurse and be successful at it. But, it was not to be. I had little milk production, and she did not gain weight. I could barely squeeze any milk out of my breasts either manually, or with a manual pump, my bra stayed dry most of the time. In retrospect, I think maybe I was not drinking enough liquids. I don't know if that was my problem, but it might have helped. Once she was put on a bottle, the weight gains started right away. I stopped nursing over a few days and the milk just disappeared - no swelling or anything. If I had been fortunate enough to have another baby, I would have seriously considered delivering at home, but I am sure everyone would have been very against it. There seem to be very few resources available in my area, even now, for a woman who wants to do that. I also would have tried to nurse another baby, especially knowing what I know now. Overall, it was a pretty good experience. I have never regretted it. by Norma Kennedy Plourde, 43 years old with CF. Lac Baker, New Brunswick, Canada www3.nbnet.nb.ca/normap/CF.htm Follow the above link to Norma's amazing website that contains well over 2,000 links to information, research, support and personal pages for and by people with CF. Her website has been in operation since 1997 and has received over a half-million hits! |
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