Would you have a child if it were at risk of genetic illness?

Pyrrhic · Jan 20th, 2009, 16:09 PM

I suppose this is a bit controversial...

OH and I are waiting to find out if Niamh has cystic fibrosis, we're also planning to get ourselves tested to see if we are carriers. Even if Niamh is a carrier, that means at least one of us is too.

OH have been speaking about it, and I said that if we were both carriers I would get steralised, even though I want more children.

What would you do? If there was a risk, would you get pregnant anyway? Would you opt for foetal screening in the hopes the baby is fine?

My opinion is that I couldn't knowingly have a baby with CF as I feel it's unfair, and I could never have an abortion so I would just deny myself the ability to get pregnant again.

Just interested in what other people would do.

sam's mum · Jan 20th, 2009, 16:13 PM

If we were both carriers (and therefore have a 25% chance of having a child who is affected), I don't think I would try to conceive naturally and take that chance... but there are tests that can be done in conjunction with IVF to ensure that embryos that are implanted do not carry both mutant genes. I'm not sure if the treatment is currently available on the NHS, but even if you are both carriers you won't necessarily have to deny yourself more children

x

lollylou1 · Jan 20th, 2009, 16:16 PM

i think i feel the same rafwife, i think i would prefer to not get pregnant rather than worrying about if a baby would have the illness etc

Lou
xxx

AppleBlossom · Jan 20th, 2009, 16:17 PM

I'm sorry to hear about your situation, I hope the tests are negative

personally if I was in the same situation I would probably do the same as you but I suppose others would disagree. I don't really know to be honest x

sam's mum · Jan 20th, 2009, 16:19 PM

Again, possibly far more information than you need right now but here are a couple of links that might help

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)

PHG Foundation

esther · Jan 21st, 2009, 00:33 AM

I know a family where the mother has developed Huntington's disease, which is a horrific severe degenerative disease where you lose all motor control, speech, eventually develop dementia even at a young age - it is fatal as well. The mother has gone down this path as well as 4 of her sisters. It is absolutely horrible to see. Her son has recently gotten married and he and his wife have decided that they won't be having children of their own because of the high risk of having a child who may have Huntington's - they want to stop the spread of the condition to their unborn and their families.

It is a very personal decision though, I don't know what I would chose myself.

Beltane · Jan 21st, 2009, 00:37 AM

After my husband and I got pregnant, I found out that I am a carrier for Gauchers Disease. I was never tested for this 10 years ago when having my first baby. If I had known back then, it wouldn't have changed my mind a bit. My husband is NOT a carrier so the chances of passing it to my new baby is very very low. Still, it has crossed my mind if we had both been carrriers, would I want more kids? I think it depends on the severity of the genetic disorder. My twin sister is most likely a carrier and I've told her about this because if she has any children with a carrier, she should be aware. Did they not test you while you were pregnant? Hope everything works out.

claire roach · Jan 21st, 2009, 04:40 AM

just wanted 2 say hope Niamhs results come back clear i have my fingers crossed for you all xxxxx

Hevz · Jan 21st, 2009, 09:38 AM

I hope she's ok babe.

I would never, ever abort....no matter what

but would probably limit the amount of children I had I guess if there was a high chance of them being special needs/disabled/poorly.

Eoz · Jan 21st, 2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hevz

I hope she's ok babe.

I would never, ever abort....no matter what

but would probably limit the amount of children I had I guess if there was a high chance of them being special needs/disabled/poorly.

Exactly how I feel.When I was pregnant with my son it turned he could have had downs.I wanted to carry on as each child is different and they will always be special no matter what.Yes it is a daunting long road to go down but there are so many support networks theses days.It nearly split me and my then partner up but thankfully the results came back all ok.

I wish you all the luck in the world hun.Please remember that if the worst does come true (god forbid) you will never be alone.We are all here and there is help out there xxxxx

Jan 20th, 2009, 16:09 PM	#1
Pyrrhic Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,567	Would you have a child if it were at risk of genetic illness? I suppose this is a bit controversial... OH and I are waiting to find out if Niamh has cystic fibrosis, we're also planning to get ourselves tested to see if we are carriers. Even if Niamh is a carrier, that means at least one of us is too. OH have been speaking about it, and I said that if we were both carriers I would get steralised, even though I want more children. What would you do? If there was a risk, would you get pregnant anyway? Would you opt for foetal screening in the hopes the baby is fine? My opinion is that I couldn't knowingly have a baby with CF as I feel it's unfair, and I could never have an abortion so I would just deny myself the ability to get pregnant again. Just interested in what other people would do.

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Jan 20th, 2009, 16:13 PM	#2
sam's mum Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 11,404	If we were both carriers (and therefore have a 25% chance of having a child who is affected), I don't think I would try to conceive naturally and take that chance... but there are tests that can be done in conjunction with IVF to ensure that embryos that are implanted do not carry both mutant genes. I'm not sure if the treatment is currently available on the NHS, but even if you are both carriers you won't necessarily have to deny yourself more children x

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Jan 20th, 2009, 16:16 PM	#3
lollylou1 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Telford Shropshire Posts: 4,906	i think i feel the same rafwife, i think i would prefer to not get pregnant rather than worrying about if a baby would have the illness etc Lou xxx
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Jan 20th, 2009, 16:17 PM	#4
AppleBlossom Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 25,860	I'm sorry to hear about your situation, I hope the tests are negative personally if I was in the same situation I would probably do the same as you but I suppose others would disagree. I don't really know to be honest x

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Jan 20th, 2009, 16:19 PM	#5
sam's mum Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 11,404	Again, possibly far more information than you need right now but here are a couple of links that might help Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) PHG Foundation

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Jan 21st, 2009, 00:33 AM	#6
esther Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Australia, Brisbane Posts: 2,468	I know a family where the mother has developed Huntington's disease, which is a horrific severe degenerative disease where you lose all motor control, speech, eventually develop dementia even at a young age - it is fatal as well. The mother has gone down this path as well as 4 of her sisters. It is absolutely horrible to see. Her son has recently gotten married and he and his wife have decided that they won't be having children of their own because of the high risk of having a child who may have Huntington's - they want to stop the spread of the condition to their unborn and their families. It is a very personal decision though, I don't know what I would chose myself.

Status: Offline

Jan 21st, 2009, 00:37 AM	#7
Beltane Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 4,384	After my husband and I got pregnant, I found out that I am a carrier for Gauchers Disease. I was never tested for this 10 years ago when having my first baby. If I had known back then, it wouldn't have changed my mind a bit. My husband is NOT a carrier so the chances of passing it to my new baby is very very low. Still, it has crossed my mind if we had both been carrriers, would I want more kids? I think it depends on the severity of the genetic disorder. My twin sister is most likely a carrier and I've told her about this because if she has any children with a carrier, she should be aware. Did they not test you while you were pregnant? Hope everything works out.

Status: Offline

Jan 21st, 2009, 04:40 AM	#8
claire roach Other Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 538	just wanted 2 say hope Niamhs results come back clear i have my fingers crossed for you all xxxxx

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Jan 21st, 2009, 09:38 AM	#9
Hevz Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Swinton, Manchester, England Posts: 4,581	I hope she's ok babe. I would never, ever abort....no matter what but would probably limit the amount of children I had I guess if there was a high chance of them being special needs/disabled/poorly.

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