Can anyone with bronchiectasis tell me if this illness had any effect on you or the baby during pregnancy? Please help

[Gibraltarpatient]

Im worried that medication or treatment in hospital during episodes will harm the baby. the doctor said i should be fine but i would love to hear it from someone thats experienced it before. any advice would be really appreciated.

[Sohara]

I have had bronchiectasis since a baby. Both lower lobes out at 15 yrs old. I have had 4 healthy children. Never had any prob through pregnancy or bringing them up. Lifelong history of chest infections. Now have severe copd. But never had a prob with the pregnancy Hope it all goes well for you

[Helena-toro in reply to Sohara]

Hi Sohara, my case is very very similar to yours. I'm expecting my first baby and doctors are telling me many different things. Would you mind if i contact you to hear a bit more about your experience in pregnancy?

Thank you very much.

Helena Toro.

[Sohara in reply to Helena-toro]

Hi Helena Of course you can contact me if it will help, but I am MANY many years past child bearing age, so not very helpful about modern treatments through pregnancy I had two operations at ages 15 & 16 so by the time I had my babies, my bronch was not as active as it is now. I still had exacerbations but not so many as in later years, and antibiotics cleared them up OK then. The antibiotics had no affect on my babies , and my breathing was ok through a couple of very long labours . I have many loads of operations too during my life, all on anaesthetics and never had any problem with that ( although they always kept a very good eye on my breathing throughout the ops.) I personally would not worry if I were you Helen, try not to pick up any bug that may give you a cold and so go to your lungs, and so you may avoid antibiotics through out your pregnancy. But even if you do have to have them, your doctor knows of your pregnancy and so will take good care of you

Love Sohara

[Hidden]

I have bronchiectasis and have had four pregnancies. The last one was a bit difficult as I had several chest infections and needed a hospital admission. In hospital ( and indeed during much of the pregnancy) I had the full quota of antibiotics and. Steroids and they had absolutely no effect on the babies. The births were all normal with no complications from the bronchiectasis. In each pregnancy I was brought into the hospital for rest, a few days before the delivery. Discuss this with your doctor but I'm sure your baby won't be affected by your meds.

[happyfeet59]

I had my lovely son when I was 40, a surprise package. I fretted throughout my pregnancy about his health, convincing myself that he would be small and have breathing problems or something. He was a bouncing 8lb 10oz and is now a gorgeous young man currently at uni - and the only illnesses he has ever had are sport related ( broken wrist/broken arm/twisted ankle!)

I had a great pregnancy with no sickness and only one infection dealt with by a few abs. The physio was a real help when I got too big to do my own physio. I had a c-section which also went well.

My advice to you is to enjoy your pregnancy, rest up when you need to and in the later stages take all the help you are offered. Oh and knit some lovely cardis - this is good for relaxing. And they are so cute! Awwww!!!

[Gibraltarpatient]

Aww thank you so much! its so nice to hear what others have experienced! making me feel a little better about the situation, but im sure its normal to worry. its really nice to hear about your lovely families, cant wait until its my turn xxx

[Hidden]

I am 64 and have had two babies in the 1970s , one of them in Beirut where I had no care for my chest. I had easy fab pregnancies and very very quick births. The only thing I would say is make sure you do your regular physio and the medics must consider the pregnancy when prescribing antibiotics. enjoy your baby!

[Nikkers]

Hi Gibralta

No, don't worry. Bronchiectasis will have not make any difference to your pregnancy. I've had this disease all my life and had 3 healthy children. I was, in fact, extraordinarily healthy while I was pregnant. This is not an hereditary disease so you cannot pass it on and your baby will be fine. If there were any infections flare up during your pregnancy, your GP/hospital will manage that for you, and again, it will not effect the baby. Relax, stop worrying and enjoy your pregnancy and best of luck with the new addition when he/she arrives.