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HopefullySoon
LIF Infant
Member since 5/06 160 total posts
Name:
Michele
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genetic tests
Anyone's test say they're a carrier for any of the genetic diseases? Turns out I'm a carrier of the Tay-Sachs gene. DH has to be tested next week. Just one more thing to worry about...
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Posted 11/24/06 6:11 PM  |
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landj
After 4 years, 1000 posts!
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L
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Re: genetic tests
A friend of mine came back a carrier for Tay-Sachs and had her husband tested but he was not a carrier. He's also from a completely different ethnic background so that may have played a part. I had the Jewish genetic testing done as well but did not come back a carrier. My DH is also from a different ethnic background so even if I was a carrier for Tay-Sachs or one of the other genetic disorders, there's a good chance he wouldn't be. Basically, from what they told me, much also has to do with what your husband's ethnic background is (to determine if he is a carrier as well). If he is not of Eastern European Jewish descent, you probably have much less to worry about. Regardless, I'm sure everything will turn out fine. 
Message edited 11/24/2006 6:26:56 PM.
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| Posted 11/24/06 6:25 PM |
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halisa
adore
Member since 7/06 2168 total posts
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lisa
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Re: genetic tests
are you pregnant already?
my dh and i are both carriers of genetic traits (not tay-sachs). there are things that can be done to hopefully prevent the possibility of the baby being born affected with any genetic disorders.
i don't want to hijack your post with all my specifics but feel free to fm me with any questions. i know how scary it is, but try not to worry too much.
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| Posted 11/24/06 6:37 PM |
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Charly
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by HopefullySoon
Anyone's test say they're a carrier for any of the genetic diseases? Turns out I'm a carrier of the Tay-Sachs gene. DH has to be tested next week. Just one more thing to worry about...
I also tested postive for Tay Sachs. Thankfully my DH tested negative.
Try not to worry too much (believe me I know easier said than done) even if you both are positive it still doesn't mean your baby will have it. Is your DH from Eastern European descent as well?
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| Posted 11/24/06 8:50 PM |
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snuggleupagus
I'm a rolling machine.
Member since 9/06 2064 total posts
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Re: genetic tests
I refused them all [granted, I'm not from an ethnic background that has a history of certain diseases/disorders] mainly b/c I don't want to worry. I'd rather give birth and have an extra reason to love her/him than spend the time knowing and possibly resenting the baby in some way.
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| Posted 11/24/06 8:52 PM |
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Charly
LOVE!
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by snuggleupagus
I refused them all [granted, I'm not from an ethnic background that has a history of certain diseases/disorders] mainly b/c I don't want to worry. I'd rather give birth and have an extra reason to love her/him than spend the time knowing and possibly resenting the baby in some way.
Well I somewhat agree with you, but giving birth to a baby with certain genetic diseases in my opinion is cruel. Some of them are very painful and incurable. If both of us tested positive I would have opted for a CVS test to ensure she didn't have Tay Sachs.
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| Posted 11/24/06 9:08 PM |
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halisa
adore
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lisa
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by snuggleupagus
I refused them all [granted, I'm not from an ethnic background that has a history of certain diseases/disorders] mainly b/c I don't want to worry. I'd rather give birth and have an extra reason to love her/him than spend the time knowing and possibly resenting the baby in some way.
as someone that went through A LOT to try to avoid bringing a baby into the world to suffer endlessly and die at an early age, i would say that genetic testing is an extremely hard and personal choice individual couples have to make, based on their histories.
for me it isn't about having a terribly sick baby, so i could have extra reasons to love him/her. imo, it's about making informed decisions, because i do love them. like anything else a parent may choose to do to try to keep their baby safe, healthy and happy, for some people genetic testing is absolutely needed.
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| Posted 11/24/06 9:51 PM |
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snuggleupagus
I'm a rolling machine.
Member since 9/06 2064 total posts
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by halisa
Posted by snuggleupagus
I refused them all [granted, I'm not from an ethnic background that has a history of certain diseases/disorders] mainly b/c I don't want to worry. I'd rather give birth and have an extra reason to love her/him than spend the time knowing and possibly resenting the baby in some way.
as someone that went through A LOT to try to avoid bringing a baby into the world to suffer endlessly and die at an early age, i would say that genetic testing is an extremely hard and personal choice individual couples have to make, based on their histories.
for me it isn't about having a terribly sick baby, so i could have extra reasons to love him/her. imo, it's about making informed decisions, because i do love them. like anything else a parent may choose to do to try to keep their baby safe, healthy and happy, for some people genetic testing is absolutely needed.
I suppose I just feel that you are then put in a place to "play God" and that is simply something I could never do.
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| Posted 11/24/06 9:53 PM |
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HopefullySoon
LIF Infant
Member since 5/06 160 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: genetic tests
I am already pg, 12 weeks. DH is adopted, but we're pretty sure he's not from Eastern European descent, but obviously we don't know for sure. I'm thinking every thing will be fine, but you never know...
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| Posted 11/24/06 10:46 PM |
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Goldi0218
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Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
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Leslie
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Re: genetic tests
I think that there is a difference between doing testing BEFORE a pregnancy versus DURING a pregnancy.
I was fortunate to have tested negative for the battery of Ashkenazi Jewish tests that I had done before we got married. DH would have had testing done if I would have tested postive.
Sadly, I have a little too much knowledge about genetic disorders/diseases and the lives of the children they effect - through my family life and through my work as a teacher of children with special needs. If I had a 25% chance of having a child that I know would die before they were 5 years old (as children with Tay Sachs sadly and often do), I couldnt take that chance and as hard as it would be, I would not TTC. I would be more inclined to adopt. I simply couldnt handle it. I think that makes me human - certainly not a deity.
However, if I was pregnant and learned the child I was carrying had a disease or a disorder or condition I THINK I know how I would proceed, but would not know until and unless someone was growing in my belly. I couldnt say till then.
In 1969, my mother delivered a baby with Down Syndrome. He was very very ill and died at 10 weeks old. She never got over it so much so that it took her 37 years to put a stone at his grave - the same day we unveiled my father's stone so they could be together. The following year, she got pregnant again and had an amniocentesis. In 1970, they did them at 6 months. Fortunately, the baby was healthy. That baby was me.
Sorry for the long story, but its a very hard and personal choice.
Message edited 11/24/2006 10:56:45 PM.
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| Posted 11/24/06 10:54 PM |
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dm24angel
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by snuggleupagus
I refused them all [granted, I'm not from an ethnic background that has a history of certain diseases/disorders] mainly b/c I don't want to worry. I'd rather give birth and have an extra reason to love her/him than spend the time knowing and possibly resenting the baby in some way.
I actually think your intentions are good, but what your saying is coming across as cruel actually. I think you might ( hopefully) be confusing testing doen during Pregnancy with the genetic trait testing done to insure a trait is not passed on..... You would choose to have a baby that you could willingly know ahead of time would suffer from a genetic disease that could have been prevented if you had been tested?
We arent talking about Downs syndrome etc here....We are talking about a lot of things that can be controlled....
Like Halisa who choose the expense of IVF to make sure her child didnt suffer just because she wanted a baby. Thats the ultimate show of Love to me..not of playing God....
Wanting a baby is one thing...just "doing it" when there could be a severe life impairment to the baby is selfish.
Message edited 11/24/2006 11:03:01 PM.
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| Posted 11/24/06 10:55 PM |
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Re: genetic tests
was at the Dr. for annual exam and I forgot to ask about genetic tests. I am not pregnant yet. DH and I are both Jewish of Eastern European descent. I plan to call back and ask. DH's sister is pregnant and was tested and is not a carrier. So maybe he isn't either????? Her Dr. did not test her until after she was pregnant, but her husband is not of the same background.
Message edited 11/25/2006 1:52:34 AM.
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| Posted 11/25/06 1:51 AM |
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snuggleupagus
I'm a rolling machine.
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by dm24angel
Posted by snuggleupagus
I refused them all [granted, I'm not from an ethnic background that has a history of certain diseases/disorders] mainly b/c I don't want to worry. I'd rather give birth and have an extra reason to love her/him than spend the time knowing and possibly resenting the baby in some way.
I actually think your intentions are good, but what your saying is coming across as cruel actually.
How am I being cruel exactly? I am merely refusing to worry that I might have a child with a problem. I'd rather climb that mountain when I get to it. A child at all is a gift. Now, as Goldi put it, she got tested YEARS ago to see if she carried diseases. That's one thing all in it's own. My issue is being put in the position to decide who lives or dies. Maybe from a personal standpoint I have issues with this one because my mother was born 3 months early [from cold medicine my grandmother took]...they told her to not visit or hold the baby because she wouldn't survive, later they told her not to get attached because she wouldn't last a year then they told her the baby would be retarded, unable to walk and pretty much be a vegetable and die as a child. My grandmother had a choice to make all those years ago, she kept my mother on machines and let them keep resuscitating her. She lived obviously. My grandmother knew she might have been suffering, but she also knew she couldn't be responsible for forcing her to die as well. I'm really glad she felt that way.
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| Posted 11/25/06 9:44 AM |
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KateDevine
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Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
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Re: genetic tests
I think testing is important. I don't believe that it is playing god at all. As a previous poster said, there is a big difference between Downs and some of the other genetic disorders out there. If you believe that no matter what you will have your baby, what does it hurt to be informed? Why be shocked at birth?
This isn't an easy choice for anyone. And it is very personal. If I were at risk, I would do every test possible to know what I would be dealing with.
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| Posted 11/25/06 9:53 AM |
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Porrruss
Nya nya nya
Member since 5/05 11618 total posts
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Amy
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by snuggleupagus
Posted by dm24angel
Posted by snuggleupagus
I refused them all [granted, I'm not from an ethnic background that has a history of certain diseases/disorders] mainly b/c I don't want to worry. I'd rather give birth and have an extra reason to love her/him than spend the time knowing and possibly resenting the baby in some way.
I actually think your intentions are good, but what your saying is coming across as cruel actually.
How am I being cruel exactly? I am merely refusing to worry that I might have a child with a problem. I'd rather climb that mountain when I get to it. A child at all is a gift. Now, as Goldi put it, she got tested YEARS ago to see if she carried diseases. That's one thing all in it's own. My issue is being put in the position to decide who lives or dies. Maybe from a personal standpoint I have issues with this one because my mother was born 3 months early [from cold medicine my grandmother took]...they told her to not visit or hold the baby because she wouldn't survive, later they told her not to get attached because she wouldn't last a year then they told her the baby would be retarded, unable to walk and pretty much be a vegetable and die as a child. My grandmother had a choice to make all those years ago, she kept my mother on machines and let them keep resuscitating her. She lived obviously. My grandmother knew she might have been suffering, but she also knew she couldn't be responsible for forcing her to die as well. I'm really glad she felt that way.
I think some people could argue that using machines to keep someone alive could be construed as "playing God" as well. My point being "to each his own".
I AM having the genetic testing done, and an Ultrascreen, and I am already pregnant. My DH and I have discussed at length what we would do in the presence of genetic/chromosomal abnormalities- it's our choice, our business, and we are comfortable with that.
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| Posted 11/25/06 9:54 AM |
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HopefullySoon
LIF Infant
Member since 5/06 160 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: genetic tests
Wow! I didn't realize this post would cause so much controversy.
Getting genetic testing done, IMO, is absolutely not "trying to play God." If, god forbid, DH is also a carrier and we have to make an awful decision, how can we bring a baby into this world that would suffer unbelievably and die by the age of 4 or 5? I couldn't do that to my child or us or our families.
There is a huge difference b/t these diseases and downs. A child with downs can live a long, healthy life, while these genetic diseases always have negative results.
It's totally NOT the same.
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| Posted 11/25/06 10:27 AM |
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Charly
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Member since 5/05 12578 total posts
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by ssdbk
was at the Dr. for annual exam and I forgot to ask about genetic tests. I am not pregnant yet. DH and I are both Jewish of Eastern European descent. I plan to call back and ask. DH's sister is pregnant and was tested and is not a carrier. So maybe he isn't either????? Her Dr. did not test her until after she was pregnant, but her husband is not of the same background.
Every child is different - my brother is not a carrier and I am. Your DH should be tested. I didn't have testing until after I was pregnant either, I guess I never knew about it earlier.
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| Posted 11/25/06 10:33 AM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by snuggleupagus
Posted by dm24angel
Posted by snuggleupagus
I refused them all [granted, I'm not from an ethnic background that has a history of certain diseases/disorders] mainly b/c I don't want to worry. I'd rather give birth and have an extra reason to love her/him than spend the time knowing and possibly resenting the baby in some way.
I actually think your intentions are good, but what your saying is coming across as cruel actually.
How am I being cruel exactly? I am merely refusing to worry that I might have a child with a problem. I'd rather climb that mountain when I get to it. A child at all is a gift. Now, as Goldi put it, she got tested YEARS ago to see if she carried diseases. That's one thing all in it's own. My issue is being put in the position to decide who lives or dies. Maybe from a personal standpoint I have issues with this one because my mother was born 3 months early [from cold medicine my grandmother took]...they told her to not visit or hold the baby because she wouldn't survive, later they told her not to get attached because she wouldn't last a year then they told her the baby would be retarded, unable to walk and pretty much be a vegetable and die as a child. My grandmother had a choice to make all those years ago, she kept my mother on machines and let them keep resuscitating her. She lived obviously. My grandmother knew she might have been suffering, but she also knew she couldn't be responsible for forcing her to die as well. I'm really glad she felt that way.
I think the words you said hurt some.
This is about genetic traits that can be pre determined. Such as Tay Sachs....
IMO.....if you have a very likely chance of both partners carrying the gene and you are not tested yet choose to TTC , thats cruel to me...sorry...you are knowingly bringing a baby into the world who could possibly suffer greatly because why??? You wanted to play god and say what will be will be?
But what about if you dont know all the facts ahead of time.......like the original poster.....she wants to now do what she can to be prepared, its in her control and yet shes playing God? Again, I understand what your saying, but I will be honest and say I dont think you understand the poster and the genetic traits in question...
But I guess everyone differs in opinions, thats what the world is about.....
Message edited 11/25/2006 11:02:38 AM.
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| Posted 11/25/06 10:59 AM |
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Goldi0218
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Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
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Leslie
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by snuggleupagus
Now, as Goldi put it, she got tested YEARS ago to see if she carried diseases.
Just to clarify, I did not have my tests years ago. I had my tests done a few months before we were married this past February ('06). DH and I are currently TTC. We would do anything and everything possible to ensure that our children would never endure a day of pain in its life - whether it be at birth or in adulthood. Of course it can and will happen, as no child's life is pain free, but we can only try. My mother still tries to protect me to the extent that she can in her senior years. Every tear I cry and every ounce of pain whether emotional or physical is equally as painful for her as it is for me.
Message edited 11/25/2006 12:51:40 PM.
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| Posted 11/25/06 12:02 PM |
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Kidsaplenty
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by KateDevine
I think testing is important. I don't believe that it is playing god at all. As a previous poster said, there is a big difference between Downs and some of the other genetic disorders out there. If you believe that no matter what you will have your baby, what does it hurt to be informed? Why be shocked at birth?
This isn't an easy choice for anyone. And it is very personal. If I were at risk, I would do every test possible to know what I would be dealing with.
ITA with you. DH and I refused any tests (the ultrascreen or an amnio) because to us, finding out our child had a problem would not have changed our minds, and no matter what we woul have gone through with the pregnancy. However, we don't have to worry about Tay Sachs. I can say with confidence that if that were an issue we would have had any tests possible to determine if the baby had it and would have acted accordingly.
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| Posted 11/25/06 12:08 PM |
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bayla
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Re: genetic tests
i had genetic testing done before TTC (i am ashkenazi jewish) everything came back neg luckily, but my Dh is catholic anyway so my doctor said it wouldnt have made much of a differemce if i was a carrier. I just felt that i would want to know if i had a chance of passing something on to my child, its a personal choice though
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| Posted 11/25/06 12:15 PM |
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snuggleupagus
I'm a rolling machine.
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by bayla
i had genetic testing done before TTC (i am ashkenazi jewish) everything came back neg luckily, but my Dh is catholic anyway so my doctor said it wouldnt have made much of a differemce if i was a carrier. I just felt that i would want to know if i had a chance of passing something on to my child, its a personal choice though
I agree...it's a personal choice. My original doctor wanted me tested for Jewish diseases [and I'm not Jewish]. There is no reason to single me out for feeling that it might put anyone in a position to make a hard choice once a child is conceived.
Goldi, sorry I misread...but you were tested BEFORE you were even TTC. For that, I agree...that is being cautious and prepared before there is even a chance of hard decisions to make.
I have issues with testing after and then being put in the position to make a call before the child is born...before you even know for sure if the child has the disease...what if you tested high for carrying it then opted for amnio, miscarried only to find out your baby was perfectly healthy? It happens.
If you managed to be offended or think I'm putting an innoccent child at risk, you are being rather closed minded...I'm young, healthy and have no reason to believe I have anything to worry about. [My doctor even said so] I do see my friends getting tests done and then worrying because of misleading results only to get more tests done and find out they were worried for nothing. I didn't have these tests with my first nor did I have sonograms...she came out healthy and I didn't have to worry. That is all I am doing this time...staying positive.
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| Posted 11/25/06 12:57 PM |
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KateDevine
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by snuggleupagus
If you managed to be offended or think I'm putting an innoccent child at risk, you are being rather closed minded...I'm young, healthy and have no reason to believe I have anything to worry about. [My doctor even said so] I do see my friends getting tests done and then worrying because of misleading results only to get more tests done and find out they were worried for nothing. I didn't have these tests with my first nor did I have sonograms...she came out healthy and I didn't have to worry. That is all I am doing this time...staying positive.
I find this interesting because I am 26, healthy and have no family history of anything and DH is the same. Yet, my doctor tested me for EVERYTHING "just to be safe". Which I thought was the norm these days.
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| Posted 11/25/06 1:02 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
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Leslie
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by KateDevine
I find this interesting because I am 26, healthy and have no family history of anything and DH is the same. Yet, my doctor tested me for EVERYTHING "just to be safe". Which I thought was the norm these days.
I am 36 with a family history of different types of problems. I thought that so much of the testing done was limited to older women. Lately, I too, am rather surprised that so many younger women have tests of different sorts. I suppose it just goes to show that nobody is immune. If testing gives a couple peace of mind or gives them information to prepare, then I am all for it.
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| Posted 11/25/06 1:21 PM |
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Tah-wee-ZAH
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Re: genetic tests
Posted by HopefullySoon
Anyone's test say they're a carrier for any of the genetic diseases? Turns out I'm a carrier of the Tay-Sachs gene. DH has to be tested next week. Just one more thing to worry about...
I was tested for Tay-Sachs (after I was pg) which surprised me. Dh is Jewish but I'm 100% Irish. the OB still wanted me tested but I thought both mom and dad really had to be from the same background . What was one more vial of blood ?
I think if your DH is from another ethnic background there is a good chance he is not a carrier.
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| Posted 11/25/06 1:25 PM |
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