Family History

whiby · Sep 17th, 2008, 12:25 PM

Hi everyone
Wondering if anyone can help me? Just phoned parents to find out about family history before i see the mw for the first time on saturday.

Have been told that:

Hubbys auntie had cerebral palsy
Hubbys cousin has severe downs and severe autism
My grandad was born with a hole in the heart

Also found out:
My mum m/c at 11 weeks before i was born
My dad was initially one of 3, but 2 babies died within a few days of being born(dont know why, maybe to do with the hole in the heart).

Does anyone know if this history increases the risk of health issues or m/c for my baby? I am worried now, i didn't think there was anything like this in the family, i have literally just been told in the last few minutes and now i am panicking.

Thanks
x

helenbun2005 · Sep 17th, 2008, 12:35 PM

i really dont have the answer - but we went for our first midwife appt today and talked about all this before.

We dont have any history of anything as we know at the mo, but even if there is this in your family you could only POSSIBLY be a carrier of the gene/s and so could your partner. They could also be dormant, or, you might not have them at all.

It would be a real stike of bad luck, and very unlikely that you and your partner combined would cause your baby to have any/all of those conditions.

The triple test is the best way to find out about all this and the risk to your baby, but they dont do that until 15 weeks. Try not to worry, but talk it though with your OH to talk about your options with either outcome.

Good luck sweetheart! x

lousielou · Sep 17th, 2008, 12:40 PM

Try not to worry sweetie - I was born with a hole in the heart and had to have an op to fix it when I was a baby. I have had absolutely no after effects whatsoever and have lead a perfectly normal life

I was told by my midwife that it's not hereditary either; it's just chance. The same goes for cerebal palsy too - it's not hereditary either xx

Holly21 · Sep 17th, 2008, 13:11 PM

The cause of cerebral palsy isn't fully understood but we think it orginates because of an external insult/environmental factors and not genetics. A 'hole in the heart' covers a lot of conditions, some serious and some which may not cause clinical symptoms. Some 'holes in the heart' have a genetic inheritance. Down's Syndrome usually occurs because of a spontaneous genetic mutation in utero and is rarely inherited. A small amount of autism sufferers may have a genetic predisposition.

You could spend your whole pregnancy worrying about it and your baby may be born completely healthy - there is some amazing technology out there these days and babies' hearts can be seen with ultrasound. If you are really worried, your Obstretrician may be able to answer your questions more fully or refer you to a Clinical Geneticist.

whiby · Sep 17th, 2008, 13:17 PM

thanks everyone for your replies, i feel a bit better now. i will ask my mw what she thinks on saturday. hopefully i am worrying about nothing so i will just try and relax and enjoy my pregnancy!

Amanda · Sep 18th, 2008, 02:48 AM

I can't offer any advise, and I think the other ladies have said everything, but I just wanted to wish you good luck for Saturday.

Sep 17th, 2008, 12:25 PM	#1
whiby Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wales Posts: 1,219	Family History Hi everyone Wondering if anyone can help me? Just phoned parents to find out about family history before i see the mw for the first time on saturday. Have been told that: Hubbys auntie had cerebral palsy Hubbys cousin has severe downs and severe autism My grandad was born with a hole in the heart Also found out: My mum m/c at 11 weeks before i was born My dad was initially one of 3, but 2 babies died within a few days of being born(dont know why, maybe to do with the hole in the heart). Does anyone know if this history increases the risk of health issues or m/c for my baby? I am worried now, i didn't think there was anything like this in the family, i have literally just been told in the last few minutes and now i am panicking. Thanks x

Status: Offline

Sep 17th, 2008, 12:35 PM	#2
helenbun2005 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 631	i really dont have the answer - but we went for our first midwife appt today and talked about all this before. We dont have any history of anything as we know at the mo, but even if there is this in your family you could only POSSIBLY be a carrier of the gene/s and so could your partner. They could also be dormant, or, you might not have them at all. It would be a real stike of bad luck, and very unlikely that you and your partner combined would cause your baby to have any/all of those conditions. The triple test is the best way to find out about all this and the risk to your baby, but they dont do that until 15 weeks. Try not to worry, but talk it though with your OH to talk about your options with either outcome. Good luck sweetheart! x

Status: Offline

Sep 17th, 2008, 12:40 PM	#3
lousielou Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7,551	Try not to worry sweetie - I was born with a hole in the heart and had to have an op to fix it when I was a baby. I have had absolutely no after effects whatsoever and have lead a perfectly normal life I was told by my midwife that it's not hereditary either; it's just chance. The same goes for cerebal palsy too - it's not hereditary either xx

Status: Offline

Sep 17th, 2008, 13:11 PM	#4
Holly21 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 673	The cause of cerebral palsy isn't fully understood but we think it orginates because of an external insult/environmental factors and not genetics. A 'hole in the heart' covers a lot of conditions, some serious and some which may not cause clinical symptoms. Some 'holes in the heart' have a genetic inheritance. Down's Syndrome usually occurs because of a spontaneous genetic mutation in utero and is rarely inherited. A small amount of autism sufferers may have a genetic predisposition. You could spend your whole pregnancy worrying about it and your baby may be born completely healthy - there is some amazing technology out there these days and babies' hearts can be seen with ultrasound. If you are really worried, your Obstretrician may be able to answer your questions more fully or refer you to a Clinical Geneticist.

Status: Offline

Sep 17th, 2008, 13:17 PM	#5
whiby Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wales Posts: 1,219	thanks everyone for your replies, i feel a bit better now. i will ask my mw what she thinks on saturday. hopefully i am worrying about nothing so i will just try and relax and enjoy my pregnancy!

Status: Offline

Sep 18th, 2008, 02:48 AM	#6
Amanda Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Leicester, UK. Posts: 5,192	I can't offer any advise, and I think the other ladies have said everything, but I just wanted to wish you good luck for Saturday.

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