Hiya, I decided not to take the dexamethasone when I was pregant, as it gave me terrible terrible side effects when I was given it before.
But it's a personal choice, I just felt for the 1 in 8 chance, it wasn't worth it. However, if your child is then born with severe virilisation, you might regret it. So it is a terribly hard decision.
I didn't take it as we did not know whether my husband was a carrier or not, and the doctors didn't test. So, I just took it that he wasn't and hoped for the best.
As for the operations when they are born. It's not necessary. Unless there are uretha problems. As for the clitoris, I would leave well alone.
I have a very large clitoris, and if anybody had modified it just to look so called 'normal' to the doctors, I would be livid now.
Girls can always make their choice in their teens.
Also, there is massive variety in sexuality..... it's a question of degree.
What is important is that our girls are validated. Their confidence boosted every step of the way.
CAH has never really affected me, depression, or relationship wise, because my Mum brought me up to be confident and proud of myself. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 21, but I was so solid, that the facial hair and weight just didn't bother me.
So, that's my advice for your daughters. Find out what they are good at... music...sports....literature. Build on their strenghts, invest in it, push them and make them strong confident women, so that the CAH cannot touch them, because they are so confident.
