Should I Have a Baby if I am Chronically Ill? The Ultimate Guide of Questions to Ask Yourself, Your Spouse, and Your Medical Team

by Lisa Copen

Deciding to be a parent is a major decision, especially for women who live with a chronic illness. But just because there are more factors to consider when you're ill, doesn't mean the process must be overwhelming. Use this book as a reference guide with over 400 questions to ask yourself, journal about, or talk over with your spouse. It also includes many questions to ask your medical team from pre-conception through post-delivery.Not sure about pregnancy and your illness? There is a section on adoption and questions to ask yourself and questions to be prepared to answer when the agency comes knocking.Lastly, it offers questions to discuss with your spouse about your opinion on your future work schedule, your child's schooling, and more. And take time to consider why you want a baby and if you have reasonable expectations of how you will parent and manage your illness at the same time.From the time you consider pregnancy through labor, and then to the toddler years, this book provides an excellent way to communicate about the important stuff with your spouse, before the journey of pregnancy even begins.Sample questions What will your response be when friends, family, or even total strangers comment that it is/was ridiculous for someone like you/with your illness/with your limitations to get pregnant? Most moms with illness hear this from someone, so don’t let it catch you off-guard, but rather, come up with a response in advance so you are prepared to answer. * What do you feel is a reasonable amount of time to try to conceive? When you are off the medications that control your disease you may not have the option to just "relax and see what happens." At what point will you consider going back on your medications and considering other options for parenthood?* What are the signs the doctor wants you to be aware of when labor is near? For example, physicians have said that women with spinal cord injuries may not feel the pain of early contractions and so they do not go to the hospital soon enough which can put the baby in a precarious position. * When you arrive at the hospital, which doctor will be delivering your baby? Who else will be available if your doctor is not available for some reason? Who is qualified for your unique situation?

70 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2013