Eleisha Buko
My name is Eleisha Buko and I am 22. I have CF and I have a 15 month old daughter.
From as far back as I can remember I have always wanted to have children of my own. When I was a teenager I thought it would be difficult and always wondered when and if I would have a child of my own so when I fell pregnant naturally at 20 I just couldn't believe it. I was so happy.
I made an appointment to see my doctor and there were a few tests to make sure my baby wasn't going to have CF. Luckily the tests were all clear and I could proceed with my pregnancy. I loved every minute of my pregnancy and I had no complications. I was admitted to hospital three times but these admissions were routine to have a course of antibiotics when it looked like I might be getting an infection so I wouldn't’t get too sick and harm my baby. My lung function remained pretty stable throughout.
Once the baby started getting bigger and pushing on my lungs it started getting harder to breathe. I had to see the doctors every week. At 36 weeks we decided the baby was a good weight, so I was induced. I had to decide whether to have a natural birth or a cesarean section. This was a really difficult decision, but I chose a natural birth.
In the delivery room I was really against having an epidural, but when my first contraction came I was getting really short of breath and the midwife convinced me to have an epidural so I would have enough energy to push out the baby. I’m so glad I did – it worked really well and I didn't feel a thing, which was great.
Six and a half hours later and with just two pushes, my daughter Tahlia was born. It was 6:33pm on May 12, 2004 and she weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces. She was perfect and I was able to hold her straight away, I couldn't’t believe she was my own daughter.
I was very lucky that my CF didn't get me down and I remained in reasonable health throughout the whole pregnancy. After four days I was able to go home and with lots of help from my family I was able to have plenty of rest so I didn't get run down.
Now Tahlia is older and running around, she keeps me very fit and busy. I have stayed well which I am very happy about. Throughout my whole life I have never let CF get in the way of what I wanted to do and I am definitely not going to let it get in my way now.
