Lyme disease is a source of much misunderstanding and fear, especially when it comes to having children. Many mothers and families are looking for the answer to the question: “If I have Lyme disease, can I have a healthy child?”
Recently, a foreign patient contacted us to say that she and her partner had finally managed to conceive a long-awaited child. She was completely devastated because her doctor had told her that she could not give birth to a healthy child with Lyme disease. Therefore, they recommended that she have an abortion.
She had been suffering from the symptoms of Lyme disease for quite some time. She had learning difficulties starting in secondary school, then she applied to medical school, but she did not have enough strength and energy to study. Because of this, she unfortunately had to leave school. Eventually, her love of healthcare led her to become a nurse, but even then she was barely able to do her job. They did not know exactly what disease was causing her symptoms.
She and her partner had been trying to have a child for a long time, and with great difficulty she managed to get pregnant, but this happened just as she was diagnosed with Lyme disease and received treatment. This is what made it possible for the foetus to survive. The lady in question came to us with the question of whether she should abort the child, as she had been advised to do, since they had wanted a baby for so long.
Of course, we believe that Lyme disease should in no way be a reason for terminating a pregnancy. There is almost complete agreement in the medical profession that termination of pregnancy is not justified in cases of Lyme disease, but that treatment should be given. Most doctors agree that complications during pregnancy, premature birth and developmental problems in children of mothers with Lyme disease can be prevented with antibiotic treatment during pregnancy.
We also consulted one of our experts, who is both a Lyme disease specialist and a paediatrician. He also confirmed that, fortunately, problems during pregnancy can be prevented with a simple course of antibiotics, allowing the expectant mother to keep her baby.
