Risks?

[Kelly King]

Hi Christine,
I had two girls after my GBS, the best I ever felt was during those pregnancies. If I could afford more kids, I would have stayed pregnant. Both my girls are healthy and happy at ages 8 & 6. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Take Care.

[BovlinaRN]

I am a 28yr.old female on my first pregnacy. I am 20years out fron my gbs experience. I am writting due to a post that states that NIH (national institue of health) has shown a relationship between pregnancy and GBS. This is true but rare. The reason behind this is because the baby has its own blood/dna/antibodies/antigens that are separte from mom. Mom's blood and baby's blood rarely ever meet. The placenta exchanges o2/nutrition/waste but baby's blood and mommys are seperate. Occasionally, this placenta/mom
barrier is breached and fetal cells cross over. These fetal cells are viewed as "not my cells" and can cause an immune response. This is the same reason that women have more autoimmune diseases then men, especially women who have had kids. I hope this helps people out. It is a relatively rare occurence but once you have had GBS, you realized that 'relatively rare' dosen't me your 100% safe. I hope this helps everyone. Thanks for your time. Paula.

[opperman]

My story is old but relavent to the discussion. I had GBS in 1962. It was severe; I had a trach and was in an iron lung, spent 2 months in the hospital. At the time I had a 1 year old, 4 year old and 7 year old. Almost exactly one year from the time of that episode I had another baby and 2 years later another. (Back in those days, no birth control pills!!) The doctors were very concerned when I became pregnant so soon after my GBS, suggesting a therapeutic abortion. That daughter and son are now 43 and 41......great adults!!! I would say go for it but not until you feel strong enough....remember in GBS there are no 2 cases alike. Good Luck!

[linda]

My experience dates back to 1973 when I was completely paralyzed and hospitalized for several months, with many more months of paralyzation. Becoming pregnant in the first year after the onset of GBS (though with the blessing of my neurologist) my first born is not neurologically strong. Now grown, she has experienced neurological problems. Did my GBS contribute to this situation? I don't know and I doubt if we will ever know.

I would recommend waiting until you have good endurance and strength back. It takes a couple or three years to regain substantial improvement from GBS, at least it did prior to IVIG and plasmapheresis and steroids. I spaced out my children considerably, and depending upon the help you can pay for, or rely upon through extended family, you may want to do similarly.

This is a personal decision that each of us makes on the information available to us at the time we go through it. Best wishes to you. Keep us posted on your progress!

[Christine1125]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your replies. I just wanted to let everyone know that I had an unevenful pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy baby girl in May 2007.
Take care,
Christine