Research Proposal on "Sister Dealing With Hypothyroidism and Scleroderma and Thinking of Becoming Pregnant"

Research Proposal 4 pages (1372 words) Sources: 5 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Pregnancy Hypothyroidism

The Risks of Pregnancy: The Presence of Scleroderma and Hypothyroidism

The decision for a woman to become pregnant comes inherently with a number of health considerations which must first be taken. The presence of chronic, preexistent or medicated conditions may dictate complication or difficulty in conceiving, carrying to term or giving a healthy birth. This is why any such conditions must be carefully investigated if one has decided to become pregnant. So is this the case with the subject of this study. My sister, whose name will be the anonymous Jane Doe for the purposes or our discussion, agreed to an interview on the subject of her existing health conditions and their relationship to her desire to become pregnant. As an individual who suffers both from hypothyroidism and scleroderma, it is crucial for her to consider the relationship between these conditions and the practical medical concerns that these raise in reference to the condition of pregnancy.

The issue of her scleroderma does elicit some immediate cause for consideration. According to her own report, the condition is limited to her lungs and its severity is only modest. Additionally, as she was diagnosed with this condition well over five years ago, the likelihood of complication is much lower than it would be if she was just adjusting to the condition. As the source by Dunkin (2009) contends, "no woman with scleroderma should attempt to get pregnant within three years of diagnosis, because complications of that disease, including hypertension and kidney damage, are likely to show up within the first three years of the disease and could complicate a pregnancy." (Dunkin, 1)

As Jane's diagnosis was given over five years ago, all evidence is to suggest that no new complications are at this juncture to be expected. With respect to the nature of the condition itself, there is no indication that its presence would cause difficulty or danger in carrying a child to term. However, there are other aspects of the condition which do present a legitimate problem that my sister may soon encounter in her own pursuits. Namely, as is the case with most chronic medical conditions, her scelorderma is medicated as a way of treating the autoimmune deficiencies which are a typical part of the condition.

Jane has been using cyclophosphamide in treatment of the autoimmune aspects of her condition according to her own report. Further research denotes that this could pose a complication in the process of becoming pregnant. As the Dunkin source reports, "if fertility is a problem, drugs -- rather than the disease itself -- are likely to be responsible. The biggest offender is cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), an immunosuppressive drug given for severe autoimmune disease." (Dunkin, 1) For many women, this prompts the decision to be removed from the treatment of certain drugs while trying to become pregnant. However, this can come with its own side-effects, most particularly in the intensification of symptoms of the condition and in the vulnerability of the immune system during this most crucial time for both the mother and the unborn infant.

If in spite of these risks, Jane determines to follow through in the interest of becoming pregnant, she may have to accept a change in her medication routine, which can bring about some dramatic changes to the body. Already, Jane has begun to change other lifestyle habits in preparation for the effort to conceive. She indicates an awareness of many of the general health demands which enter into pregnancy consistent with our research findings. These command that "for any woman, the first trimester is a critical period when the baby's vital organs are forming and when medications and lifestyle habits (such as smoking, drinking, diet and drug use) can affect that development." (Dunkin, 1) This accounts for the fact that Jane has ceased smoking in preparation for the presence of an unborn child in her system. Such preparations are to be considered necessary even in the otherwise healthy individual.

For Jane, this effort will require further lifestyle and health habit changes though as a way of accommodating for pre-existent medical conditions. To the point, with the… READ MORE

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