Women with cystic fibrosis can have safe and successful fertility...(ators of fertility were normal. The wome...),Health

The doctors tried IUI first with the patients and 15 successful pregnancies were achieved using this method. One woman had IVF after IUI failed and she became pregnant after frozen embryo transfer. Another woman became pregnant after egg donation because her ovaries had failed. In total, there were 17 pregnancies in 13 of the 15 women, resulting in 12 live births, two ongoing pregnancies and three miscarriages.

All the women, apart from one, were able to give birth without a caesarean section, and although 50% of them had diabetes during pregnancy and there was a slight decline in lung function during the year of pregnancy, all the mothers have remained healthy. The babies were born on average at around 37 weeks, with only four babies having a low birth weight of less than 2500g (birth weights ranged from 1910-3500g). There were no babies with very low birth weights (less than 1500g). Five babies were breastfed. All children (seven girls and five boys), aged 10 years to one month, are healthy.

Dr Epelboin said: "The results of our study are good news for women with cystic fibrosis because they show that ART is a hopeful option for them and does not increase the risk of medical problems or death for either themselves or their children. Furthermore, the possibility of ART for this growing population of young adults with cystic fibrosis has a positive impact on their quality of life by satisfying their wish to become parents. These women had given mature consideration to their desire for a child and were fully supported by their families. All these considerations are equally true for infertile men with CF, who also require ART, usually via ICSI, to have children."

However, she warned that it was important that a network of dedicated CF, ART and obstetrical teams should look after women with CF before, during and after pregnancy. The women's general health should b
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