Planning for a baby is more complicated with Cushing’s disease

Last week, I announced that my partner and I are expecting our first child in February. We couldn’t be more excited about this development and are pumped to become supercool parents next year. After struggling through in vitro fertilization, we’re grateful we’ve made it this far and hope our little munchkin will stick around.

Considering my Cushing’s disease, we’re doing a lot more planning for the baby than two healthy parents might be expected to do. We not only have to take into account the tiny new human, but also my recovery, my illness, and any potential roadblocks.

Here’s how we’re planning for each step of the process.

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Late-stage pregnancy

Because of Cushing’s, my pregnancy is considered high-risk, even though my baby is growing normally (12 weeks already!).

As a result, late-stage pregnancy will look a little different for me. I won’t be able to travel much at all (including long car trips), and I’ll have to take it easy. I’ll only do low-impact workouts such as swimming and prenatal yoga, and toward the end of pregnancy, I’ll check in on myself and the baby regularly, including frequent heart rate tests.

Postpartum

After the birth, we’re expecting that I’ll need a lot of rest. Of course, most parents do, but considering my illness, my partner and I are making it a firm rule. We’ll have few to no visitors in the first six weeks, and we’re setting up my bedroom so I barely have to leave, with a mini-fridge, pain relief, and bassinet I can reach from my bed.

On top of my regular doctor appointments, I’ll monitor my cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels frequently during this period while eating nutrient-rich foods. Nothing crazy, just a little extra monitoring and care.

Breastfeeding

We’re unsure if I’ll be able to breastfeed. It depends on when I go back on my Cushing’s medication, which I stopped taking ahead of my frozen embryo transfer. Most of it, of course, would be unsafe for a baby.

So we’re preparing for both breastfeeding and formula and plan to follow my endocrinologist’s advice. Ideally, I’d be able to breastfeed and supplement with formula for a few months before switching to formula entirely, but it’s possible I won’t be able to breastfeed at all.

At first, that made me sad. It’s not that I needed to breastfeed, but I wanted it to be my decision. However, I got over it quickly. My baby will be fed, and I’ll be taken care of. That’s what matters.

Pregnancy is beautiful, and parenthood is exciting. Sure, we might have to take a few extra precautions, but our beautiful baby will make it all worth it.

You can also follow my journey on TikTok and YouTube.

Note: Cushing’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cushing’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Cushing’s.