Hello all. I have had lymes now for going on 10yrs. I will be 37yrs old soon. I have no kids & have been afraid to have one for many reasons but especially due to the lymes. Now the urge has hit me. I want a baby. Thinking of visiting my infectious disease doc whom i haven't seen in a few years to see what the risks are. Has any one out there had lyme before becoming pregnant? If so how did it affect the baby? Can it kill the child? Please let me know what happened. Thanks. Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
An infectious disease dr will not think you can infect your baby thru the womb or breastmilk...but he would be WRONG.
Most expectant mothers who have LYME take amoxicillin during their pregnancy.
I'll let those with children tell you more!!
PS.. no "s" needed on LYME.
WELCOME!!! Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I would consult with a Lyme literate doctor regarding pregnancy and Lyme. Most people go on antibiotics to protect the baby.
My Lyme was undiagnosed when I was pregnant, and I did just fine, but it can be passed to the baby, so I would consult with a specialist.
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
It's Lyme disease... no "s" on the end
Yes, your baby can get Lyme disease from you.. there is documented proof of newborns with Lyme disease as well as miscarriages found to have it.
All three of my children have Lyme. My oldest possibly got it from a tick bite, but my youngest two never had tick bites..they don't even know what a tick looks like. And they had symptoms very early on.
Also my husband has Lyme. We have been married for 11 years and he didn't start getting symptoms until 2 years ago. Our LLMD thinks he got it from me.
None of us have ever had a bulls eye rash etc.
I've had LD for at least 21 years, probably since birth. My identical twin sister also has Lyme.
So to answer your question... I don't care what anyone says. Nobody can convince me that you CAN'T get Lyme congenitally, and through breast milk and through sexual intercourse.
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
Yes - it's Lyme not Lymes.
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
It was passed to my kids as well. You would need to take antibiotics under the care of an LLMD during pregnancy.
Posted by terry (Member # 1385) on :
Thanks to every one who replied to my message. Sorry for misspelling Lyme. Sounds like having a baby maybe a little risky. I want to explore the idea a little more. I was very shocked & disappointed to find out that the doc that diagnosed me in 2002 is no longer in NC. Dr. Jemsek. I hadn't been for a visit in about 4yrs & didn't know so much had happened with the clinic. Now I need to find a new doc. Any one know of another good Lyme doc in North Carolina?
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
From the CDC...
"Studies of women infected during pregnancy have found that there are no negative effects on the fetus
if the mother receives appropriate antibiotic treatment for her Lyme disease.
In general, treatment for pregnant women is similar to that for non-pregnant persons, although certain antibiotics are not used because they may affect the fetus. If in doubt, discuss treatment options with your health care provider."
You need to research this, and be treated by a LLMD throughout your pregnancy. Infectious disease doctors wont do anything, nor do they know how to treat you or your child.
If you have Lyme, you have to treat through out your pregnancy, usually with IV antibiotics, and Bicillin shots. You have to get your blood levels of antibiotics checked to make sure they are high enough.
When the baby is born, cord blood, placenta, and baby's blood and urine are sent to be tested for Lyme disease.
If your health and that of a possible future child are important to you and you can afford to have a child, then you should be able to afford getting the best medical care and travel to see one of the best LLMD's.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i've never had children but sadly, i would not risk it.
that's just me. and now at 60, too old.
Posted by lightparfait (Member # 22022) on :
Suggest Detox candida/yeast/mold/parasite/heavy metals in advance.
Get you immune system functioning well before conception.
If you still are not in remission by conceptioin time, you LLMD will put you on abx...as suggested above. You will both be fine.
But do work on cleaning your terrain. Give your baby a head start toward health.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
WC.. I think she meant Dr J in NC.
terry... Go to Seeking a Doctor and post there for a dr in NC.
Maybe you'll find one...not sure if maybe you'll need to travel.
Posted by lymecaregiverNY (Member # 13287) on :
Please do some research regarding congenital syphilis in third world countries and the horrible things it does to unborn children such as stillborn and birth defects.
The bacteria, Treponema pallidum, is a spirochete and a very close cousin to Borrelia, the Lyme disease bacteria.
Your research will show that both diseases have very similar life long medical consequences.
If you depend on incompetent infectious disease doctors for your Lyme disease care, you will have already made the biggest mistake of your life and of the baby's life.
Please get yourself a copy of the Lyme disease film "Under our Skin". The film shows a women with Lyme disease and how much suffering she has indured to have children.
My 6 year old was born with Lyme disease, and we are still dealing with it. My wife, however, was infected at 9 months so the baby had already formed normally.
In your case, without proper medical care from a LLMD, the bacteria has a chance to damage the baby's central nervous system early on, prior to formation of its brain and central nervous system.
I also have a son with Downs syndrome combined with Autism, so I am well aware of how bad birth defects in a child can be.
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