Getting pregnant, advice needed urgently

Question

Hello,

I have been trying to find an answer to my question in this forum, but the problem seems to be different for everyone.

I am about 22 years old and had surgery for intestinal obstruction at three days, right after my birth. My course was actually ok, until I simply stopped inhalation and sports for two years (I did not take the disease seriously because nobody talked to me about it). By now, I run for 45 minutes every other day and inhale Mucoclear® 6% (saline solution) and Sultanol® (salbutamol) twice a day.

I am 22 years old, 1,60m tall, weigh 50kg, and am currently additionally taking Fresubin® since I would like to get to 54kg. My FEV1 is at roughly 80%. I have never had pseudomonas. During the winter, I have 1-2 colds on average and have been trying for 3 ½ years to become pregnant, but it has not worked. After a coelioscopy I was told that my entire abdomen was full of adhesions (due to the scar as a baby), that the uterus was intact and I was ovulating normally, but that the problem was that the way to the uterus was completely blocked.

I would like to try artificial insemination now, but due to the adhesions I think that I will not get around in vitro fertilization. Or will I?

And is it okay to get pregnant with my course of the disease and my values?

I would appreciate a detailed answer, since I currently do not have a regular treating CF doctor (my clinic is hiring a new doctor who does not know me at all).

Many thanks.

Answer

Dear questioner,

it would be good if you could provide more detailed information about your coelioscopy. Adhesions in the abdomen do not necessarily prevent the insemination of the ovum and its travel through the tubes. If both tubes are blocked by adhesions, however, a natural pregnancy is very unlikely. Also, there is an increased risk of a tubal pregnancy. Insemination cannot be successful, since the ovum does not even reach the uterus if the tubes are blocked.

In vitro fertilization would be the appropriate way to become pregnant if the tubes are blocked. As I am a gynaecologist, I cannot provide adequate advice concerning your state of health with your CF, although an FEV1 of 80% is good and the fact that you only rarely have infections can also be assessed positively.

I hope I was able to help you with this.

Kind regards,
Dr. Anja-Undine Stücker

14.02.2012