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Another baby or not?

Hi everyone. I have been so busy going to doctors lately between me & the baby so sorry I haven't been around.  Plus w/ a one year old it's hard to get the computer time. I need help in making a major decision.  As you know the baby and I found out we both have hep c type 2b. I found out cause I was going to go through infertility treatment and try for another baby. I can't wait and go through treatment then do..they won't do it passed age 43 and I am 42 in July.  But after giving it to one baby I don't know what to do.  What kind of life will my son who has it have?  No docs really tell me much.  Just that he can not be treated till 18 and they will monitor him.  I went to 2 different docs already for him.  Didn't like the first one..second a little better.  I brought him to a specailist in
Boston.  He said he may have gotten it cause they used a fetal monitor cause he was a premie. Just don't know what to expect for him in the future????  What do you all think about trying again?  They said no rush for me to have treatment?  I will get it after another baby but not before. If anyone wants to see a pic of my little boy email me at ***@**** and I will forward one.  Please let me know your opinions on this.
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Avatar universal
all antioxidants should be part of our regular diet.  check this site for tons of extra information:     www.janis7hepc.com
Try to avoid processed foods with lots of unspellable ingredients in them. they are usually devoid of micronutrients.   do a web search for hepc diet for ideas on what to include in your meals.  Once your fear  and shock subsides, it will be easier to see your future in  a practical manner.   Do a lot of research to the sites mentioned here.  they are non alarmistic and easier to read.
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Avatar universal
Isn't it dangerous NOT to do an amniocentisis on a woman over 40, given the risks? Why not just love the baby you have instead of risking having a second baby with HCV? you may need all your strength for this one, given the road ahead.
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Avatar universal
This one raises so many issues beyond hcv there could be a thread amile long. Dangers involved? Does that mean Downs or other developemental impairment? Or another infected child? So when we get the results we don't want what then? I think i know what many promote. In my experience some of the most wonderful people in the world are born with pre-existing problems,one of my best friends with spina-bifida now married to a millinairess good on him! More power to you and youre ability to make choices!
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Avatar universal
only reason i was given for the amnio was to test for down, and as sam said, was i to reject her if it was positive? drs lead you to believe everything they do to you is absolutely necessary. I knew amnio wasn't, even though I was at risk at age 37 and pregnant and it could make me miscarriage, i knew i did not need the prep and the episiotomy if dr took the time to work the baby out carefully.  everything turned out fine.  I was considered high risk due to age. please...  
   lynnn might have other health considerations whereas they might recommend these tests, but they are not absolutely necessary. I hope she has a dr willing to compromise.  It is a tough spot she is in. If I had her genotype, I probably would go ahead with another pregnancy, but that is me.
stay with us lynn and good luck, perhaps you can engage the wisdom of a counselor or clergy to assist  in this.
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Avatar universal
The choice is yours!! Genotype 2b is one of the better ones to have..
I unfortunatley got hcv at birth..At first, I blamed my mother and wished she had proper precautions and testing, but realize that it is not her fault.. I am now 26yrs, Geno 1a, Stage high 2 low 3.. What I hear from doctors office is that young people are more likely to clear.. Even with his support, first week of tx was overwhelming, and I was pulled off.. Nausea, and uncontrolable crying was unmanageable, and a major concern..I lost 10lbs in 8 days..

Do you want to chance putting your child through this when he or she is 18 years old?? I'm sure that there will be better tx by then, but child will live with burden till then.. When other kids are going to clubs, and to bars, they will be at home worrying about tx options..

Dr. wants to restart me in a week or so, but I may take a break, and hold off for awhile.. If my wife was not here for me, I do not know what I would have done.. Anti depressants give me a headache so bad, and a nervous rush, that it is almost as bad as tx.. No one can tell you what to do, but you already have one child with virus, why risk another to satisfy your need..
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Avatar universal
I don't know enough about your specific situation to offer any advise, but I did want to let you know that I'm a 44-year-old married woman with HCV (not on treatment) who has made having a family my #1 priority.  Unfortunately, I've had six miscarriages (four natural conceptions and two with assisted reproductive technologies) during the past three years.  My doctors now believe that my HCV is the cause; my robust immune system is so busy fighting off the virus that it rejects the embryo as an "invader."

My husband and I are now using a gestational surrogate to carry embryos from an embryo donation program at a local clinic.  We are totally committed pursuing this unique option until it results in a live birth.  Although we certainly have concerns about my disease (which is mild, thank God), we are comfortable moving forward with our plans.  

Good luck as you and your husband make this important decision.

Susan
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Avatar universal
Course i see your'e point ...and your alive what else is there?
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Avatar universal
Lynn,,,Good Luck on whatever decision you make,,,I know hard but there is risks involved in everything and the odds are so slim that it could happen again but I guess you have to be prepared for that....

Sam,,,Agree...There is no guarantees in life and all we can do is deal with lifes hand outs as we go and enjoy along the way!
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Avatar universal
What supplements and antioxidants should I be taking.  No doc said anything about these?
How do I know what level we are at?  They only told me hep c type 2b?  
Should I put the baby on any special diet?  He eats all table food now.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for everyones help.  They did not do amnio on me last time.  But the fetal monitor was vaginal and on the babies head which gave him a small cut.  I did have episiotimy also.  None of which I would have again.  I have level 3 ultra sounds that check for abnormalities instead of amnio.  I am just still unsure.  I will let you all know what our desicion is .  As for adoption..to expensive and a long wait.  We want a sibling for our son but now not sure if the risk is worth it.  
Still thinking.
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Avatar universal
A phone call by my now 30 yr old daughter last night and my own behavior towards my parents has me believing that no matter what, your children will find ways you could have been a better parent, especially if they are not parents yet themselves and they are studying child psychology for their doctorate. I hope my dtr will be a better mother than she thinks I was or am. What they fail to see is that the parenting skills or lack of we exhibited, have help made them the person they are today.
You seem to be a very caring, nurturing person and a child should have the benefit of that much love. Such child would have the blessing of a loving home.
The chances are that 90+ children out of a 100 will have no hcv infection due to maternal transmission. Those are very good odds. If you and your husband choose to go ahead, try to set all fears aside, there are never any guarantees of positive or negative outcomes in anything we do. Stay well and well informed.
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Avatar universal
Maybe you can help me with the worries I have for my son now.
How is this going to affect his life?  Will he be sick?
I just don't know what to expect from this.  Type 2b?
I am still hoping he gets rid of it but not holing on to much hope for that.
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Avatar universal
oh nothing really but i get that stud feeling now and again but one look in the mirror puts me straight. I got a theory it's to do with the smell of buffalo, i heard it can set a steed off. Any round your parts?
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Avatar universal
I went about life as normal!! I did not find out that I had it until I was like 17.. Of course, I was drinking, smoking and doing everything teenagers do.. That is when I seemed to always have a cold. Spitting all the time.. Especially in the morning.. My father took me to Dr. and told I had elevated alt, and hep c.. I did not really care, as I was 17 and was trying to be cool at the time.. My father did all kinds of research and told me that the drugs where awful and not effective and to wait it out.. In 2000, I had nose surgery that went wrong, and was told that I did not have hep c.. So, I haven't thought about it in a few years.. Last year I was married, and wife had me doing all kinds of physicals as she is in school to be a nurse.. Dr. told me that I had hep c. Went or biopsy, nurse was telling me how I would be a stage 1 or 2, and how 3 and 4 are bad,and then printed my results.. I saw the look on her face, then she told me that I was high 2, low 3..As there is suspicion of bridging fibrosis..I almost feel off the table, but sat strong.. Reality did not set in for a week or so..All other tests are perfect, and I feel great.. I am a energetic young man, that was never depressed or down.. Since diagnosis, I feel the opposite..I feel like I will never see grandchildren, let alone watch my own children grow..
I am sorry that I am laying all this out, but you would not have asked if you where not interested.. This is my story, and now I face life in a different light.. My wife says, that she could die before me, as sh@t happens..I feel as though my life has been stolen.I am afraid of tx, as that is what my father had told me for years.. I did so much research before starting, and thought I was ready, I was not.. I will however try again, as I will do anything to make my wife happy.. She gives me reason to live, and a feeling of love that I have not ever experienced during my life..
If your child does have hep c, do the research..Change diet and lifestyle.. Make sure to take supplements and anti-oxidants.. prevent the damage from occuring..Raise the child with love and affection, and keep them away from alcohol and drugs..Most likely, he or she will be fine, as the time period is so long away, and your genotype is the easiest to treat.. All I can offer is that whatever you do, their health is your responsibility till they recieve tx..Love will work miracles!!!
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Avatar universal
Love will work miracles!!!
to right!
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Avatar universal
pardon me gang, for not reading the thread yet...but busting in.....SAM...hi, i just found your question to me on another thread re: Horse, and answered on it.....why do you ask? just curious....gotta run, blood work awaits..yahoo..check in later

cheers
kimmy
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Avatar universal
I am so glad you got back to us, i have been wondering about you.
I believe I was infected prior to my last pregnancy and the risk is low for transmission in utero.  my daughter is negative.  
I don't know how a fetal monitor can play a part in the infection, is it something they insert vaginally?  My monitor was a strap around the abdomen.  
The chance of your next baby getting infected is very low.  If you decide to have another,  do not let them perform any procedures like amniocentesis, etc.  nothing that might puncture something. I did not have one, did not allow them to prep me or do an episiotomy either.

You have a lot to consider, read as much as you can on studies that deal with hcv transmission during pregnancy.
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