These days women with CF have higher fertility rates than previous generations.
Most women with CF can become pregnant if they want to, however it may take a little longer due to the thicker cervical mucous, if your period is irregular, or you are underweight.
Women with CF have anatomically normal reproductive tracts and normal hormonal function. The ovaries (where eggs are stored), the fallopian tubes (that join the uterus [womb] to the ovaries) and the uterus (where the fertilised egg implants itself and the baby develops) are all expected to be normal.
Increasing numbers of adult women with CF are becoming pregnant and giving birth to healthy babies.
For women who wish to get pregnant and are having difficulty, there are a range of things that might help you boost your fertility. Chat to your GP or CF team.
It is important to remember that even if sex won’t lead to pregnancy, it is still possible to contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is important to use condoms to protect from STIs.
There are many things to think about when planning a family
There are a number of things to think about when you are considering starting a family. These include the impact that parenting may have on your health and on your ability to look after yourself. It is also important to consider who is going to look after your children if you are unwell.
Genetic counselling is also important. Your biological children will inherit one copy of the CF gene from you, but they will not have CF unless they also inherit a copy of the CF gene from their father. The potential father can have genetic testing to find out if he is a carrier of a CF gene. This will tell you what the chance is that your child will have CF, which may affect your choices about how you start a family. It is also possible to have the foetus tested for CF during early pregnancy, using procedures known as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis.
If you do become pregnant, your CF team, your obstetric team (doctors and midwives who look after a woman during pregnancy), and possibly a neonatal team (doctors who look after a baby after it is born), will need to be involved in your care.
Outcomes are better if pregnancy is planned. It is recommended that you discuss your plans with your CF team, and that you are as healthy as possible before conceiving.
Increasingly, women with CF are becoming pregnant and giving birth to healthy babies, with minimal impact on their health.
If you are healthy, with stable lung function, pregnancy is safe. However, pregnancy puts additional strain on your body, and can be a risk, particularly if you are unwell or have poor lung function.
There are some circumstances where pregnancy is not recommended because of the risk to the mother’s health. Women can become pregnant even if they are unwell, or have very low lung function, so it is important to use reliable contraception if you are sexually active and do not wish to become pregnant.
The views, experiences or comments shared on this website are not medical advice and may not reflect opinions or beliefs of Cystic Fibrosis Community Care. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions regarding your health.
