My wife and I have been married for about 4.5 years. We have 3 kids 3 and under.
My wife had a very bad pulmonary embolism and almost died when she was first pregnant with our son last January. In July, she suffered a massive clot and a massive bleed at the same time. She received 8 units of blood and 2 units of plasma, and came through ok--so did our son. (Thank you Missionaries of Charity for the 2nd class Mother Teresa relic!)
My wife had difficult pregnancies with our other two--her blood pressure got into stroke territory, and they risked an epidural when she was dilated at 9.5 for fear of her stroking out if she didn't.
Anyway, We've talked to two different OBs that are the best in our area (within an hour and a half drive). They both say, "Absolutely don't get pregnant--it will kill you!
They haven't been able to diagnose what causes the bleeding and the clotting. Seven aunts, uncles, and 1st cousins on her mom's side have had a P.E. Five of them died.
Her oncologist consulted with an expert at Duke, and they are at a loss. He also strongly advises to not get pregnant under any circumstances.
She has vaginal bleeding indistinguishable from a period on again off again, that makes NFP impracticable.
We are absolutely open to life if it could be done in a safe way. In fact, we had custody of 3 more kids (her sister's kids) for a year before they went back to their dad.
Every day I see damage being done to our relationship because we can't have sex.
Because of the grave danger to her health, is the barrier method ok? Sterilization on me?
Is there any scenario where we could have sex and her health not be put into danger?
We've talked to our priest, and he acknowledged that this was a difficult situation that we needed to approach with prayer...
Please, detail the reasoning for your responses to help shape my own conscience.
My wife had a very bad pulmonary embolism and almost died when she was first pregnant with our son last January. In July, she suffered a massive clot and a massive bleed at the same time. She received 8 units of blood and 2 units of plasma, and came through ok--so did our son. (Thank you Missionaries of Charity for the 2nd class Mother Teresa relic!)
My wife had difficult pregnancies with our other two--her blood pressure got into stroke territory, and they risked an epidural when she was dilated at 9.5 for fear of her stroking out if she didn't.
Anyway, We've talked to two different OBs that are the best in our area (within an hour and a half drive). They both say, "Absolutely don't get pregnant--it will kill you!
They haven't been able to diagnose what causes the bleeding and the clotting. Seven aunts, uncles, and 1st cousins on her mom's side have had a P.E. Five of them died.
Her oncologist consulted with an expert at Duke, and they are at a loss. He also strongly advises to not get pregnant under any circumstances.
She has vaginal bleeding indistinguishable from a period on again off again, that makes NFP impracticable.
We are absolutely open to life if it could be done in a safe way. In fact, we had custody of 3 more kids (her sister's kids) for a year before they went back to their dad.
Every day I see damage being done to our relationship because we can't have sex.
Because of the grave danger to her health, is the barrier method ok? Sterilization on me?
Is there any scenario where we could have sex and her health not be put into danger?
We've talked to our priest, and he acknowledged that this was a difficult situation that we needed to approach with prayer...
Please, detail the reasoning for your responses to help shape my own conscience.