I have had ME/CFS since I was 16. I have 2 kids. I lost 3 babies to miscarriage. I cannot say, for sure, that the ME/CFS was the cause of those miscarriages. I am not sure. I did OK while I was pregnant. Having higher blood volumes can be helpful, and that happens when you are pregnant. So, I didn't feel terrible when I was pregnant. The problem came after I would have the babies. The lack of sleep was very difficult. I had to ask for help. You will need to make sure you have a good support system around you for when the baby comes. It is not impossible to have kids with ME/CFS, but you have to understand that this illness does make it more difficult. I pray the very best for you. May you be very blessed.

I would start with any doctors you have a relationship with, even if they don't know much about chronic fatigue. Also comma I would consider who will take care of the child after he or she is born. Do you think you have enough energy to do this? Do you have another plan?

For other reasons I have not had a child so cannot give you much direct advice or share any experience. Good luck.

We are also wanting to start a family. Our fertility doctor didnt bat an eyelid at us wanting to do so. Some women recover permanently having a baby. Definitely make sure you have support in place for after the birth...I imagine that could be exhausting...the whole parenting thing. But if your partner is well then.... Good luck!

Hi there - I had my kids long before my CFS activated but wanted to wish you well, and caution that if your financial security is poised on you and hubby both working, you might want to make some changes to allow for a one income family before you have a child. I feel that you can probably handle a child or a job but not both? And you may need to use some helper devices at home that other moms dont (this from my time caring for grandbabies)..like using a stroller in the house instead of carrying baby all over; having help at the grocery store or going alone once hubby is home..that sort of thing. What I'm saying is if you are willing to approach it like we must approach our lives in general...that we handle things differently..then things will be good. Once you have one bundle of joy you will know deep inside if you can handle more than one. Wishing you love and light and a lovely pregnancy experience.

Thank you for the advice I really appreciate it. There's just so much to think about I'm lucky in some ways my husband is part of a wonderful company that believes family comes first and the fact that they pay well is also a bonus. I haven't been able to work in over 10 years that's when my health took a nosedive I've gotten better over the years but I still face challenges. I'm trying to be honest and be real with myself I know that I will most likely need some help managing the house and the baby would just be too much I think so I will probably end up having to find someone to help me. My husband is very supportive I have been sick since the day we got together that was actually something that we bonded over he was never responsible for anybody but himself and having to take care of me was a very different experience for him it kind of cemented a bond between us I mean if you can love somebody when they're at their worst then it's real. Having a family is a wonderful thing I don't really have one myself neither does my husband so making our own is important to us. I think a big concern I have is that I want to have a healthy baby I could care less if it's a boy or a girl just a healthy baby, I worry that having a baby might mean that I'm going to pass down some of the problems I have. As difficult as it is an adult to handle these things I couldn't imagine what it would be like for child it's scary but I appreciate all of your advice thank you so much. I think I'm gonna have to just have a little faith in God that things will be OK and like y'all said just know that it's going to come with some challenges. Thank you again it's really nice to hear from other people that know what it's like I am fairly new to this place and it really means a lot just to know that I'm not alone.

I understand your concerns about passing down the illnesses you face. For most of us, there was some type of trigger that started the ME/CFS. I don't know if there is a hereditary component or not, but I feel like it most likely wouldn't pass down to your kids. My 2 kids have been very healthy so far. I don't know anyone else in my family with ME/CFS. So, I prayed for the best. Being a mother has been the best work I have ever done. I am so glad that your relationship with your husband is good and that you guys are in a stable place. All of that really helps. Blessings on you, dear one.

It's really hard to give advice for this type of situation.. everyone's situation is unique. For me, my son has been the light of my life and an uplifting joy. HOWEVER... I was very unprepared for how much pregnancy/birth would set me back. I became so ill that I was not able to care for my son and had to get full time help. Fortunately, we had family that were able to stay a few months until we put a plan in place. I was not prepared for this reality at all. So, my only advice would be to make sure you have a strong support system in place and/or are able to financially afford full-time help for your baby. Also, make sure that your husband is on board with doing most of the childcare. I am not saying this to scare you, but just so that you could be better prepared than I was. I had lots of support and we were able to get the help we needed and yet I was still close to falling apart, especially that first year with PPD and being very ill.
Like you, a doctor had told me that "pregnancy might make me better" and I went into it with that mentality. I have spent the past 3 years really trying to find the root cause of my illness, as pregnancy made it 1000x worse for me.
I wouldn't trade my son for anything and I would do it all again for him, BUT.. please have a support plan in place before going into it.. that is my advice :) Good luck :)