title: [Mothers with cystic fibrosis: psychosocial data about an almost unknown group].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore pregnancy and motherhood in cystic fibrosis patients from the women's perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were assessed with a purpose designed questionnaire and the paper focuses on the following sections: "pregnancy and birth" (feedback of significant others, women's knowledge, concerns, and overall judgement), and the "first year as a mother" (overall judgement).
  
  
  METHODS
  38/73 mothers filled in the questionnaire; mean age was 33.8 y ± 7.1 y and mean age of firstborn child was 6.9 y ± 5.7 years. Nine women had more than one biological child. 18 mothers (47 %) were currently employed, 12 of whom with 19 to 30 hours per week and none full-time. Mean FEV1 in perc. Pred. was 66 ± 19 %.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pregnancy in CF should be planned and prepared, and this was achieved in 28 women, while 10 pregnancies were unplanned. The feedback of significant others towards wish for child/pregnancy was more positive in those who planned. Mothers' own parents reacted least enthusiastic, irrespective of whether or not pregnancy had been planned. The feedback of CF-teams differed according to women's lung function. The women's knowledge about "pregnancy and CF" was rather poor. Their concerns predominantly referred to detrimental effects of CF medication to the unborn child.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Motherhood is increasingly becoming an option for young women with CF. Therefore, CF-teams are well-advised to proactively engage them in a dialogue about wish for child and impact of CF on motherhood. Knowledge about pregnancy/motherhood and CF should be increased.
authors.affiliation: Freiberuflicher Wissenschaftler, Schwerin.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ullrich
authors.affiliation: Mukoviszidose-Zentrum für Erwachsene, Klinik für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bobis
authors.affiliation: Mukoviszidose-Zentrum für Erwachsene, Klinik für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bewig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology