728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Conditions Affecting Conception and Pregnancy › Never Say Never to Pregnancy

Never Say Never to Pregnancy

Planning Pregnancy with a Chronic Health Condition

By Kelly Burgess

Pages:  1  2  3  

  • Organ transplant recipients: Transplants have become so much more successful, and the anti-rejection drugs so much safer. Dr. Dattel has seen patients with kidney, lung and heart transplants have successful pregnancies.

    • One contributor to the successful outcome of many pregnancies that may not have been possible in the past, says Dr. Dattel, is the improvement over the years in the pediatric care people with chronic diseases receive. As a result, it's possible for women who have had organ transplants, with various forms of cystic fibrosis or with sickle cell anemia and other diseases to have a successful pregnancy.

    The Other Side
    Sadly, Dr. Dattel has often seen cases where the pregnancy did not work out, and it was devastating for the prospective parents. That's why she strongly urges anyone with a chronic condition to get a preconception workup with a specialist in high-risk pregnancies. Armed with facts and statistics, it's much easier to anticipate and accept whatever comes up if a pregnancy is undertaken. It can also help those at very high risk to avoid pregnancy if the experts feel that a pregnancy cannot reach term, or if it may result in the decline of the woman's health.

    "The No. 1 rule is never say never," says Dr. Dattel. "Sometimes things turn out in a way that you don't expect. Some people are willing to take a risk, and some prefer to play it more safely. However, it's much easier to prevent a pregnancy than to try to deal with a serious problem after the fact. Anyone who has a chronic condition should use excellent contraception until they can consult with a professional and make an informed decision about how to go forward."

    Pages:  1  2  3  

    Want to see more?

    Comments

    There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

    Post As:
    Enter your comment below:
    Title
    Comment Text
    CAPTCHA
    Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.