©Pregnancy bliss 2008

 

Pain relief in labor for a CF sufferer

In cystic fibrosis, there is a slight worry about the effects of opiates such as Morphine or Pethidine, because of their depressive effect on respiration. Because of this, epidural analgesia is strongly encouraged among these patients. This has additional advantages in that it prevents unnecessary exertion in the late stages of labor, something a cystic fibrosis patient can ill-afford.

 

In addition, if a caesarean section becomes necessary, the epidural may be the only form of anesthesia required, avoiding a general anesthetic.

An epidural is, by far, the most effective form of pain relief in labor.

Sometimes it may be necessary to give oxygen supplement to a cystic fibrosis sufferer in labor. Epidural analgesia reduces the requirement for this.

 

Other methods of intervention to help a CF sufferer

To avoid undue exertion in the second stage of labor, assistance in the form of forceps or ventouse (vacuum) is often advised for delivery.

 

Breast-feeding with cystic fibrosis

As long as the mother's general health and nutritional status is satisfactory, breast-feeding, if desired, should be encouraged.

 

If the mother's nutritional status is poor and she is very weak, attempts at breast-feeding will be counterproductive for both mother and baby. Bottle-feeding will be better in such a case because it will have the additional benefit of allowing her more rest, where her partner or somebody else may feed the baby.

 

Excess of some minerals in a Cystic Fibrosis sufferer's breast milk

 

This is mentioned for the specific purpose of debunking a myth. In the past there was some concern that there might be an excess of sodium in these patients' breast-milk (as is the case with their sweat). Scientific analysis has disproved this. The mineral content of a CF sufferer’s milk is normal.

Advice for individuals who are carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene                                                           

The advice given above for CF sufferers does not apply to those who are simply carriers of the CF gene.

These individuals with the gene mutation that causes cystic fibrosis are perfectly healthy in every respect. A child needs to inherit the defective gene from BOTH parents to have the condition.

A carrier status does not confer any health challenges. The gene mutation is quite common among those of white European ancestry with roughly 1 in 20 being carriers.