Pregnancy and Family
Historically women with CF have been advised not to become pregnant because of the stress pregnancy would place on a body already under stress from fighting CF. As the CF population grows older and healthier some women with CF are having babies.
There are a few things you should know before embarking upon pregnancy.
Your lung function and nutrition need to be as good as possible. The better your lung function, the less likely it is that there will be complications to your CF or your pregnancy. The amount of food that you require each day to maintain both you and your baby is increased during pregnancy. You should speak to the dietician at your CF clinic about your increased nutrition and vitamin needs during pregnancy.
You should discuss your intention to become pregnant with your CF specialist who can arrange referral for genetic testing for your partner, and referral to an obstetrician who has had experience with mothers with CF. It is important for you and your baby to continue with your CF treatments throughout your pregnancy so your medications may be adjusted to make sure that all your prescribed treatment are safe in pregnancy.
Women with CF can have normal deliveries, however you will need to discuss your individual case with your obstetrician and CF specialist. Breast feeding is also possible, but this is also assessed on a case by case basis. Pregnancy exerts a nutritional strain on the mother which will be intensified by breast feeding.
There are some situations where it is not advisable to think about pregnancy. If you have severely reduced lung function or if you have Burkholderia Cepacia, your CF doctor may be very concerned about going ahead with a pregnancy. Please discuss your individual circumstances with your CF specialist.
Successful pregnancy is possible for many women with CF. If you are considering having a baby it is important that you discuss this with your CF specialist prior to becoming pregnant to optimise your and your baby’s health.
USEFUL WEB-SITES
http://www.cftrust.org.uk/scope/documentlibrary/CFTRust/factsheets/Fs_Pregnancy_updated_Sept2004.pdf
http://www.cysticfibrosismedicine.com/htmldocs/CFText/pregnancy.htm
http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/normap/cfpregnancy.htm (Links to web-sites related to CF and pregnancy – NOTE: Please be cautious about the information contained in some of these links)
For personal stories about pregnancy and CF see our CF Stories section:
For more information see Resources: Sexuality & Family
