2nd baby after 1st had Down Syndrome

GreenEyesinNC · August 2011

I was told that since my first son has Down Syndrome, that a subsequent pregnancy (not pregnant... yet!) will be considered "high risk" even though his type of DS is Trisomy 21 which basically means it was a pure fluke of mother nature (not hereditary). Anyone else with a similar experience? We are going to start trying in the next month or two an am wondering if I will have a harder time getting pregnant this go around.

bumpuser6119831 · August 2011

I do not have a similar experience but that is an adorable pictures of your DS!

buckeyebaby814 · August 2011

I do not have any living babies, but I just wanted to say your son is adorable!!! Best of luck TTC #2!

bostonbluejay · August 2011

I don't have any advice on this subject either, but your son is just as precious as can be! Love that outfit!

Good luck to you when you do start TTC again!

KdgTeacher · August 2011

I not totally sure, but I would maybe see about talking to your OB or a genetic counselor for more detailed advice.

Your LO is darling!!! Best of luck!

Mrs.Teddy · August 2011

Our son is adorable!

I do not have any personal experience with this. I do know a women who's 3rd son has DS and she was given a %tage risk of her subsequent children having it (its higher then the general population). She went on to have a daughter who did not have DS. I think just because you had one child with a chromosomal problem they will follow you closely, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Is there a reason why you think you may have trouble TTC? Did you have issues before? Or just general anxiety? I don't think your son having DS would have an affect on that.

TKx2 · August 2011

KdgTeacher:
I not totally sure, but I would maybe see about talking to your OB or a genetic counselor for more detailed advice.

Your LO is darling!!! Best of luck!

This and you might want to ask on the Special Needs board. GL!

siple1am · August 2011

Just wanted to say your LO is too cute, and I wish you luck!!

Cait21 · August 2011

What a cutie! Love the picture! I am a special education teacher and this subject actually came up with a parent and they refereced information from:

https://americanpregnancy.org/birthdefects/downsyndrome.html

Specific to your question: "For couples who have had one child with Down syndrome due to translocation trisomy 21, there may be an increased likelihood of Down syndrome in future pregnancies. This is because one of the parents may be a balanced carrier of the translocation. The chance of passing the translocation depends on the sex of the parent who carries the rearranged chromosome 21. If the father is the carrier, the risk is about 3 percent, with the mother as the carrier, the risk is about 12 percent.

In all cases of Down syndrome, but especially in cases with translocation trisomy 21, it is important for the parents to have genetic counseling in order to determine their risk."

That must be why you would be considered a high risk, next pregnancy. In any case, I wish you luck on TTC #2!

kimikins79 · August 2011

Your son is adorable! I could eat him up!

MrsColvin · August 2011

A friend of mine had a set of twins with down syndrome then a few years later had another child that was perfectly healthy. They will put in you in the " high risk" category just to keep a better eye on the pregnancy bu it is possible to have a healthy child after a down syndrome child. Her children's downs was trisomy as well.

FirefightersBride · August 2011

One of my sorority sisters has a 3 yr old daughter who has downs and she just had TWINS a couple months ago and they are both just fine

GreenEyesinNC · August 2011

Thanks for the kind responses! Our son really is such a joy to us and we are so lucky to have him!!! I have already met with a genetic counselor who advised me that my "risk" is increased to 1 in 100, more than the general population, but this really doesn't make much sense to me if it was a mere fluke. Shouldn't my risk be the same then as anyone else? Her response is that even though it is not hereditary (which is the translocation type described above), my husband or I could have "sticky" sperm (for those of you who don't know, Down Syndrome is caused by an extra part of the sperm or egg DNA sticking to the 21st chromosome). Anyway, the reason I worry I might have trouble getting pregnant is that even though my son's type of DS is not hereditary, I'm curious if this makes me more apt for chromosomal disorders to begin with which we all know usually end up in miscarriages. My doctor says no, but I just wanted to hear some experiences from the general population. Thanks for your response!

TKx2 · August 2011

GreenEyesinNC:
Thanks for the kind responses! Our son really is such a joy to us and we are so lucky to have him!!! I have already met with a genetic counselor who advised me that my "risk" is increased to 1 in 100, more than the general population, but this really doesn't make much sense to me if it was a mere fluke. Shouldn't my risk be the same then as anyone else? Her response is that even though it is not hereditary (which is the translocation type described above), my husband or I could have "sticky" sperm (for those of you who don't know, Down Syndrome is caused by an extra part of the sperm or egg DNA sticking to the 21st chromosome). Anyway, the reason I worry I might have trouble getting pregnant is that even though my son's type of DS is not hereditary, I'm curious if this makes me more apt for chromosomal disorders to begin with which we all know usually end up in miscarriages. My doctor says no, but I just wanted to hear some experiences from the general population. Thanks for your response!

I completely understand where you're coming from. DD also has a genetic condition (Turner Syndrome) that is caused by a random mutation. Her geneticist has assured us that we are at no higher risk than the general population of having another child with TS or any other condition. But, of course, I'm concerned that we're more predisposed to having chromosomal issues. I'm just trying to trust in what her doctors have told us and not worry about it too much. Good luck to you!

proudyoungmommy17 · October 2011

My DH has(had) two brothers that each had down syndrome, one passed away, and thats who we're naming our son after, and the other is one of my best friends even though he's two! his name is jacob also

anyways, i'm not sure what down syndrome they have but im suuure it's the genentic one since they both had it, so my pregnancy is considered high risk also. Good luck on your second

I just thought i'd share this

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