While I thank you all for the responses, my question wasn't really about what decision I should make. I do know what is involved in taking care of children; not only am I a high school teacher, but I have also been working in a daycare center all my life. I have seen many families come through the door, and I must say, some of the best, most loving homes were NOT "typical" families. I have no doubt that I can provide a stable, healthy home for a child. (And I think that the fact that my friends with children, my primary care doc as well as psychiatrists past and present are highly supportive of the idea says a lot, especially since they know me best.)

What I was trying to get at in the thread, and perhaps I did not make this clear enough, is why should having a baby be considered self-destructive. What bothered me about this doctor's comment is the fact that I don't think she would think the same way if it weren't for the PTSD. In other words, I feel like the PTSD labels me. Yes, I have issues, but so does everyone else. I don't want the trauma to define me, and just because I have PTSD does not mean that I act according to some pre-determined list of symptoms. This doctor, (the gyn.), only sees me when I am at my worst, as exams are the thing that trigger me most. She is failing to take into account the fact that (even my other doctors have told her) I am a highly functioning person, even with the PTSD.

I think this also goes back to whether lifestyles that seem different should be considered negative. Just because the doctor, (or you all), wouldn't choose this for yourself, does that mean it should be called self-destructive? Let me give an analogy. There are many people, including doctors, who think that being gay/lesbian is wrong, unnatural, and even self-destructive. Add a baby into the situation, and even if these are the best parents in the world, there will still be many people who think this way. Just because it isn't the "norm," and may not be a lifestyle others would want, should this be considered self-destructive? I, for one, don't think so.

Going back to my original list of self-destructive behaviors that I do NOT do, these are obviously harmful things. (drinking, drugs, etc.) I guess I just don't think that having a baby (if a person does knows that she is emotionally and financially prepared to do so) should be put on that same list.