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WWTTGPD?

jdsprincess116jdsprincess116
in Trying to Get Pregnant

This is likely going to be a heated politically controversial topic, so I thought it would be best addressed by a poll and those who wish to comment can :) But I am curious to know what everyone's thoughts are on this.

If you found out (through a SA or some other diagnostic test) that you or your DH had a chromosomal defect (CD) (whether it was developed or you/he were born with it), and you were TTC or thinking of TTC, what would you do??

For those who may not know, a chromosomal defect (CD) is basically an abnormality in someone's genetic structure. It can lead to something as simple as an abnormality in baby's physical appearance, but could also lead to development delays (and potentially more serious complications), and CD's can lead to miscarriage. There is no cure for CD's, and they are carried throughout future generations.

So... knowing this information, if you found out you or your H had a CD... what would you do? See poll below :)

[Poll]
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Re: WWTTGPD?

  • cantalopes24cantalopes24 member
    Correct me if I'm wrong but the defect is genetic right? You and your husband turned out ok I'm assuming. Also, with adopted children you don't always know their history and its possible you could end up adopting a child with health or behavioral problems as well, if that's what is deterring you from having a child of your own. If you think you could emotionally and financially handle a special needs child I see no reason to stop TTC. With your other options there might not be a guarantee you get a perfect baby.
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  • brookelynpaisleybrookelynpaisley member
    My inclination would be to continue to TTC and love whatever baby came our away and deal with any defects as they present, but I could imagine that DH would want to explore other options for me to carry a child and/or adopt. But as lopes said, none of them guarantee you a perfectly healthy child.
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  • jdsprincess116jdsprincess116

    imagecantalopes24:
    Correct me if I'm wrong but the defect is genetic right? You and your husband turned out ok I'm assuming. Also, with adopted children you don't always know their history and its possible you could end up adopting a child with health or behavioral problems as well, if that's what is deterring you from having a child of your own. If you think you could emotionally and financially handle a special needs child I see no reason to stop TTC. With your other options there might not be a guarantee you get a perfect baby.

    It could have been genetic, or it could be developed.

    Didn't want to get into specifics, but there's a chance MH could have a developed chromosomal defect from being exposed to some serious stuff while overseas. If you google Gulf War Syndrome + offspring that will give you some guidance as to what I discussing here, though that is not exactly what I am referring to.

    Everyone will have different opinions on this subject, and we're just beginning to realize this could be a possibility/roadblock so it's on my mind. No testing has been done yet, but we have testing lined up.

    Though there is a chance that a couple with chromosomal defects could have a perfectly healthy child, or one with just minor disabilities, there's also a chance they could have a child with severe down's syndrome, defects in their sex chromosomes that lead to infertility or worse, other combinations of defects that can lead to a myriad of problems such as heart defects, organs growing outside the baby's body, missing eyes, etc. that would essentially not allow the child to survive outside the womb.

    If you are not familiar with the blog He Will Carry Me and you're interested, take a read- Stacy, the mom, gave birth to a baby with chromosomal defects Trisomy 13 and 18. It's a very sad story, so readers beware.

    Anyway, knowing what I know about Stacy and her little baby Isaac, and knowing what we may potentially be dealing with, I just have a weight on my shoulders and mind these past few days. I don't have a good answer as to what we would do- I know for sure we want children of our own, via whatever route we decide we'd like to choose. At this point I don't have an answer for that. My insticts tell me if medically our chances of having a healthy child are good, we will keep TTC and hope for the best. If those chances DON'T look so good, we will start looking into other avenues- whether it be adoption, sperm donor, or some other alternative. But I just don't know right now.

    Fingers crossed that all test results come back normal.

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  • StephKStephK member

    Have you talked to a doctor?  What you're describing - where someone acquires an illness that may have a genetic component is called a new mutation or a somatic mutation.  Those kinds of mutations can happens through exposure to radiation, chemicals, etc.  Only mutations that affect the germline (sperm and eggs) are carried from generation to generation and are transmitted to your potential children.

    I'm doing some research into the different studies now.  I don't have access to the journal articles to see if they know what kind of chromosomal abnormalities are caused in Gulf War vets.  I see there is evidence of increased birth defects, but I don't see many details about what sorts of problems they have.

    From what I've read, it looks like a 2 to 3-fold increase in risk.  Not to diminish your fears, but a 2-3x increase is not a guarantee that anything will happen.  Undoubtedly some of the defects they have observed would have happened any way.

    If it really bothers you, I would talk to a doctor.  Maybe have him tested, do a semen analysis to make sure his count and morphology aren't affected.  I would start there.

    As for the rest, we all have to deal with some risk of birth defects.  I was born premature.  I am a cancer survivor.  I don't let that stop me from TTC. 

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  • cantalopes24cantalopes24 member
    imageStephK:

    Have you talked to a doctor?  What you're describing - where someone acquires an illness that may have a genetic component is called a new mutation or a somatic mutation.  Those kinds of mutations can happens through exposure to radiation, chemicals, etc.  Only mutations that affect the germline (sperm and eggs) are carried from generation to generation and are transmitted to your potential children.

    I'm doing some research into the different studies now.  I don't have access to the journal articles to see if they know what kind of chromosomal abnormalities are caused in Gulf War vets.  I see there is evidence of increased birth defects, but I don't see many details about what sorts of problems they have.

    From what I've read, it looks like a 2 to 3-fold increase in risk.  Not to diminish your fears, but a 2-3x increase is not a guarantee that anything will happen.  Undoubtedly some of the defects they have observed would have happened any way.

    If it really bothers you, I would talk to a doctor.  Maybe have him tested, do a semen analysis to make sure his count and morphology aren't affected.  I would start there.

    As for the rest, we all have to deal with some risk of birth defects.  I was born premature.  I am a cancer survivor.  I don't let that stop me from TTC. 

    Steph said it perfectly. Only you know what your capacity is. Could you use donor sperm or is YH opposed to that? I hope however you get good news from the tests and don't even have to worry.
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  • jdsprincess116jdsprincess116
    imageStephK:

    Have you talked to a doctor?  What you're describing - where someone acquires an illness that may have a genetic component is called a new mutation or a somatic mutation.  Those kinds of mutations can happens through exposure to radiation, chemicals, etc.  Only mutations that affect the germline (sperm and eggs) are carried from generation to generation and are transmitted to your potential children.

    I'm doing some research into the different studies now.  I don't have access to the journal articles to see if they know what kind of chromosomal abnormalities are caused in Gulf War vets.  I see there is evidence of increased birth defects, but I don't see many details about what sorts of problems they have.

    From what I've read, it looks like a 2 to 3-fold increase in risk.  Not to diminish your fears, but a 2-3x increase is not a guarantee that anything will happen.  Undoubtedly some of the defects they have observed would have happened any way.

    If it really bothers you, I would talk to a doctor.  Maybe have him tested, do a semen analysis to make sure his count and morphology aren't affected.  I would start there.

    As for the rest, we all have to deal with some risk of birth defects.  I was born premature.  I am a cancer survivor.  I don't let that stop me from TTC. 

    Steph- Thanks, we have talked to a Dr. and his words were "You have every right to be concerned." oooh that made me feel better ;) We are potentially dealing with chromosmal defects that will show up in DH's sperm.

    In all honesty, we are at the beginning of this new path of our journey. It's not stopping us from TTC nor is it putting a hold on us TTC.

    Don't get me wrong, we all have things that are wrong with us- there is NO SUCH THING as a PERFECT person. I have allergies and asthma, MH has a genetic history of depression, cancer, and rhemeutoid arthritis. I am also adopted so I don't know what else is in my gene line. None of the prior would stop us from TTC our own children.

    What we could be facing has the possibility of being more serious. But we won't know anything until MH gets in to get a SA done and we get those results back.

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  • jdsprincess116jdsprincess116
    imagecantalopes24:
    imageStephK:

    Have you talked to a doctor?  What you're describing - where someone acquires an illness that may have a genetic component is called a new mutation or a somatic mutation.  Those kinds of mutations can happens through exposure to radiation, chemicals, etc.  Only mutations that affect the germline (sperm and eggs) are carried from generation to generation and are transmitted to your potential children.

    I'm doing some research into the different studies now.  I don't have access to the journal articles to see if they know what kind of chromosomal abnormalities are caused in Gulf War vets.  I see there is evidence of increased birth defects, but I don't see many details about what sorts of problems they have.

    From what I've read, it looks like a 2 to 3-fold increase in risk.  Not to diminish your fears, but a 2-3x increase is not a guarantee that anything will happen.  Undoubtedly some of the defects they have observed would have happened any way.

    If it really bothers you, I would talk to a doctor.  Maybe have him tested, do a semen analysis to make sure his count and morphology aren't affected.  I would start there.

    As for the rest, we all have to deal with some risk of birth defects.  I was born premature.  I am a cancer survivor.  I don't let that stop me from TTC. 

    Steph said it perfectly. Only you know what your capacity is. Could you use donor sperm or is YH opposed to that? I hope however you get good news from the tests and don't even have to worry.

    Thanks Lopes, I appreciate your good thoughts! As for your questions... we're just beginning to think of all that :)

    BabyFruit Ticker
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