Hello and thank-you for all you do and in taking the time to read my question.

I am a devout Catholic with three beautiful healthy children.  I have never had any problems with pregnancy or delivery, and, over all, am very healthy. We try hard to practice natural birth control; however my cycle is very irregular and my husband does not want more children at this time, so we are rarely intimate.

I would like another child, but I recently found out I have two clotting disorders (Factor V and Protein S deficiency) that could make pregnancy very risky for me. My cousin told me of a lady, in my exact situation, who had a fourth child and nearly died.

This has frightened me and I don't know what to do. I believe God is in control of all things, but feel maybe he is making me aware of all this information for a reason.

• Should we just not be intimate?

I think it would be unhealthy for a marriage.

• What is the Catholic Church's stand on situations like these?

Please help.

Thank you and have a blessed day.

Sincerely,

Elaine