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Original poster

To have children and pass down a genetic disorder?

182 replies

killagorilla · 14/08/2012 20:39

I have Factor V Leiden, it's a blood clotting disorder and is passed down from parent to child. I have it as does my siblings and every family member on my maternal grandfather's side.
It is quite a serious disorder and I have had one blood clot in my lung, all my family are on a low dosage of warfarin/heparin/aspirin to minimise the chances of blood clots.
I have 2 kids and they both have it as well. I was with a friend from university today and her kids and she was asking about it. When she found out that it is passed down from parent to child she got a bit shitty with me.
She said that she would never have kids knowing that they would have it and it could mean injecting yourself regularly and not being able to live a normal life.

I've been thinking about it and now I feel a bit Sad because I look at my kids and can't imagine life without them. But maybe I was selfish to have children knowing they would have something that has caused me so many health problems.

What do you guys think?

OP posts:
Original poster
killagorilla · 14/08/2012 20:48

Honeytea has any blood specialists been in touch with members of your family? I know that factor v is a grey area with doctors, it would be cool to know if your family has developed some sort of immunity to it?

OP posts:
ethelb · 14/08/2012 20:46

I studied genetics and uni and tbh the only difference between the two of you is you know what potential problems you may be passing on. Which means you will seek appropriate medical care. What is this pristine genetic record that she has?
So little us known about what is caused by genes I find the idea that anyone assumes they won't pass something on ignorant and a bit naive.
She has no idea how much you considered your options or not.
There was a great documentry try on channel 4 last year by one if the blokes on katies friends looking at the options for him and his partner if they wanted to have children. It was brilliant and you should have a look.

Lucyellensmum99 · 14/08/2012 20:45

I think your friend is an arse!!! you have a 50/50 chance (at most unless its x linked and that does change things and i cant remember the odds) of passing on the condition to your children. But lets assume its 100% that you will pass it on - you have managed your condition all your life, yes its been shite, but you are here, and healthy enough to have children, go to uni etc etc. Also, and more importantly, who knows if next year/ten years they wont discover a more effective therapy or even a cure. Not THAt unlikely, and certainly not impossible - so yes, your chidlren have inherited a condition that is going to need managing, but i bet there WILL be better drugs as they get older and well, im pretty sure they are happy to be alive - tell your "friend" to do one

QuietNinjaObsessing · 14/08/2012 20:44

I think you should tell your 'friend' to fuck the fuck off. Until she is in yours or your dc position who the hell is she to judge? Just my humble opinion. Grin

honeytea · 14/08/2012 20:43

I think your friend is nasty!

My family also has factor v leiden, I recently was tested for it as I am pregnant now, I don't have it, but I never ever considered not ttc because I might pass it onto my kids! It's not that bad, my grandfather had a blood clot on his lung, but apart from that everyone is fine.

I would say that if you have a girl it is important to educate her young about the importance of contraception as I was told I couldn't take the pill or morning after pill (before I was tested I just assumed I had it.)

I am actually more worried about my DC inheriting my dyslexia or my DP's 3rd nipple than I was about the factor v!

CrispyCod · 14/08/2012 20:42

Don't be concerned with what others think, it is a decision you made for your own reasons and doesn't need to be validated by others.

SmellsLikeWhiteSpirit · 14/08/2012 20:42

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.