Dr Kanupriya Jain, Senior Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Ludhiana, helped us understand what a woman with cystic fibrosis needs to know before she conceives.
What Is Cystic Fibrosis?
According to Dr Jain, cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that mainly affects the lungs and digestive system. It is a genetic condition that runs in families, thus making genetic counselling crucial during pregnancy planning.Since the disease affects two major areas, the woman's respiratory system and digestive system will play a crucial role in how she will be able to handle additional stress during pregnancy.
Can A Woman With Cystic Fibrosis Get Pregnant?
Yes, she can. Dr Jain affirms that CF women can get pregnant too. The only thing is that her pregnancy needs special preconception care: a full check-up of her health condition before pregnancy, not after.That is because CF can negatively affect her respiratory and nutritional health at once, and both of these aspects need to be in the best shape before pregnancy.
What Issues Should Be Assessed Before Getting Pregnant?
It would be ideal if a woman with CF had her whole health situation examined before getting pregnant. Dr Jain advises that a thorough review should include:- Lung functions
- Nutritional situation
- Screening for diabetes
- Health in general
The Need for Diabetes Screenings
According to Dr Jain, CF-related diabetes is actually quite prevalent. This is a type of diabetes that occurs due to the disease itself, and it requires close monitoring during pregnancy.Getting screened for diabetes before she gets pregnant provides her medical team with an accurate assessment of where she begins. In case she does have diabetes, her medical team can start managing it right from the start of her pregnancy.
The Importance of Genetic Counselling
Counselling is yet another crucial component. As explained by Dr Jain, if the mother suffers from cystic fibrosis, then the father should be tested for carrier status. A carrier carries disease-causing mutations but does not have the disease.This would determine the course of action:
- If the father is not a carrier, the chances of the baby having CF are lower
- If both the parents are carriers of disease-causing mutations, there is a possibility of the child being born with cystic fibrosis
When to Consult a Doctor
A woman suffering from CF must consult her doctor when:- She is planning for pregnancy and has not yet done the pre-conception review
- She has missed a dose of, or plans to stop taking, the CF medications
- She experiences changes in her breathing, coughing, and levels of fatigue
- It is difficult for her to keep up her weight or eat properly
- She has been diagnosed with CF-related diabetes and is expecting a pregnancy
- She has doubts about the chances of her baby having CF
Many women with CF have been able to conceive through proper preparation and monitoring. The best way, according to Dr Jain, is to make herself healthy prior to conception and prepare her pregnancy care plan with her doctor.
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FAQs on Cystic Fibrosis And Pregnancy: What To Know Before Conceiving
- Is it possible for the pregnant woman to be free from complications of cystic fibrosis?
Yes. Provided that proper preparation, monitoring and team coordination are done, many CF women have had successful pregnancies. - Is there a need for the father to undergo testing?
Yes. If the mother has cystic fibrosis, then she should have the father screened. If both have genetic mutations of the disease, then it might affect the offspring. - Should women stop their CF medicines when they plan to conceive?
No. There should be no instances where the patient decides to discontinue her medications by herself. The specialist will know what drugs she should stop taking.