Melissa Tait is 23, runs her own business (Forrestfield Massage Centre), studies Marketing and Advertising part time, has CF and on the 17th of February 2011, gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Melissa’s beautiful baby Lochlan was born at King Edward Memorial Hospital, weighing seven pounds and four ounces. RED caught up with Melissa to find out all the details.
What was your pregnancy like?
I had a challenging pregnancy, losing a lot of weight with morning sickness. I got a chest infection when I was 18 weeks pregnant. As I couldn’t take the usual antibiotics I was admitted into Charlie’s hospital and a PICC line was put in. I was on IV antibiotics for two weeks and had daily physio. I was x-rayed twice and my belly was covered by a lead skirt.
At King Edward I had to see a High Risk Pregnancy specialist. I had to have regular ultrasounds to make sure the baby was growing well and wasn’t suffering from malnutrition.. I had to do prick tests for diabetes once a week. I didn’t do the prick tests for too many weeks as the stats weren’t changing. I found I had to constantly eat to keep putting on weight for myself and the baby. I also had to go to Charlie’s once a month to measure my lung function and weight.
I didn’t want to find myself back in hospital while I was pregnant so I walked every night until a month before I was due because I was so huge and heavy.
The rest of the pregnancy went well and I was receiving regular weekly physio up to the birth and also after. I am a remedial massage therapist and worked until I was 35 weeks pregnant. I also received a massage once a week while I was pregnant and had regular chiropractic treatment too. I did daily mediation and at the end of my pregnancy I came across Hypnobirthing which helps to relax your body and prepare it for child birth. I listened to a CD and read a book on the topic and practiced it every day a couple of weeks before I gave birth.
I had a 3 hour labour, natural and completely drug free. I breastfed my baby for 3 ½ months but had to stop as I was losing so much weight.
I got my Irish partner, Enda, tested and he didn’t have the CF genes at all, so Lochlan doesn’t have CF. He is a big boy and a very happy baby.
I had stem cells taken from the umbilical cord for myself, Enda and Lochlan in case they could be useful in the future. They keep the stem cells for 18 years and it cost us $2500.
How do you balance taking care of your baby and keeping up with your own treatment?
I have a very supportive partner, and a home care worker from CFWA visits once a week to help me with physiotherapy and I bring Lochlan along to the CF clinic when I have an appointment.
I work three days a week and so Lochlan goes to day care one day a week, is looked after by my mum one day and by Enda one day. I keep myself as healthy as I can and avoid people who are sick. I also get a massage once a week (which is easy as I own a massage business) and I use our trampoline a lot.
I find I have to rely on other people to look after Lochlan, and I don’t want to increase that so I have to be healthy. I hit bugs straight away because I don’t want to end up back in hospital.
What is the best thing about being a mum?
The best thing is enjoying my baby, making him laugh and smile and seeing his little personality. Also not having to work full time is great!
Do you plan on having any more children in the future?
Yes we would like to have one more child. I would like a girl. I am planning on getting very fit by running and dancing. I am also getting married.
What is the hardest thing about being pregnant and having a baby?
I found gaining weight during pregnancy, and now, a struggle. But my lung function was the best ever while I was pregnant. I did put on 10 kilos but now I am working on gaining more weight by eating a combination of high fat food and healthy food.
What would be your top tips for managing a baby and CF?
Have time for yourself, get something like a massage or do your own thing like visiting a friend, once a week. Also look after your health, because if you are unwell you can’t look after your baby.
CF shouldn’t stop you from having a baby as long as you look after your health.
Article from RED Magazine, Summer Edition, 2011.