Can I have a pregnancy that is safe for me and my baby?
Yes, although the chance for having a baby with these or other types of birth defects is never zero, the good news is that women with PKU who follow their special diet to lower their phenylalanine levels before and during pregnancy are more likely to have a healthy baby. Before becoming pregnant, it is helpful for young women with PKU to have their blood levels checked and it is very important that they get help from a doctor and dietitian to plan their diet before and throughout pregnancy.
Why should I think about this NOW?
Even if you are not planning to become pregnant, if there is any chance at all that pregnancy might happen accidentally, good diet control now may help prevent serious problems in a surprise pregnancy. If you are sexually active and do not want to become pregnant, or feel that you could not control your diet right now, it is important that you consistently use a reliable method of birth control. Your doctor or nurse can confidentially give you more information about birth control if you need it. Finally, even if pregnancy is a possibility far in the future, it will be easier to "stay on" the diet then if you practice good control now. Plus good diet control is better for YOUR health right now and in the future!
