Anyone ttc naturally despite knowing of genetic risk? (long, sorry)

[asouthwoldmummy]

DS has duchenne muscular dystrophy. We always said we wanted at least 2 dc's and I am desperate for another baby. If we had a girl there would be a 50% chance of her being a carrier, and a boy would have a 50% chance of being affected. We have looked into IVF with PGD but I really don't like the invasiveness (or the 20% success rate, or the 2.5hr journeys to London etc).
We are confident that there will be a treatment available within the next few years but obviously can't be certain. If I conceived naturally we wouldn't bother with genetic testing as I don't have it in me to abort. We have decided to wait until DS's next appointment at GOSH to speak to the specialists there before making a final decision.
I know some people will think I'm silly but I certainly don't regret having DS and strongly believe all dc's are a blessing. I guess my main concern is what people will think, unless we lie and say it was an accident? Has anyone else decided to ttc naturally knowing they could pass on a genetic condition or been in this position?

Couldn't have put it better than Starlight!

I had all three of my dc's knowing there was a small gentic risk .. Trouble is the can't actually test ( well couldn't at the time.. Not sure about now) if I was a carrier. My dsis had the full works.. I had nothing but could carry the gene.

However we ended up with Asd instead which is totally unrelated! ( that's life for you).

My parents had me knowing the risk ( I Apparently was an accident.. Although my mum always winks at me when it has been bought up)

I think you have to forget others views and go with your own gut instinct. I was preganant with dd2 when my son ds1 was diagnosed. I agonised over whether I should go ahead, but knew what my true feelings were. I had dd2, she is ASD like ds1, but I don't regret my decision; she is still different to ds1 and is still my lovely, affectionate daughter.

My dh has an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, so any child of his has a 50% risk of inheriting his condition. Before I became pregnant, I sought advice from my G.P. and after I explained the situation I was told to go ahead as it may take me up to 2 years to get pregnant anyway as neither me nor dh had children (!) I was pregnant 6 weeks later.

Seven or so months later, lots of flapping ensued and we had an urgent referral to clinical genetics...

We had ds first, and he is unaffected. Then dd arrived, and she has inherited it. Both had the genetic test. Theoretically, we were told that she shouldn't have as many problems as dh. She has more, but we don't know if this is because they are looking for these problems.

You have made the decision which is right for you and your family. Now you just need to find the words to tell people that you will love and cherish your next child in the same way regardless of any condition he or she has.

How about "we would rather give a child a chance of a shortened, happy life than no life at all"?

What other people think really doesn't matter. You'll probably come across some idiots with ill though out opinions but they are irrelevant. What matters is that you do what is right for you and your family.

I hope you have another beautiful baby to enjoy very soon.