Starting a Family When You Have Genetic Disorders

There's always a risk associated with planning a family, even if you don't have a genetic disorder. Knowing your health status and close family history means you can plan ahead for all possible outcomes, which can stand you in better stead than someone who has unknown genetic disorders.

If you know your family's disorders and wish to start a family, you should consult a genetic counselor for advice about what the future could hold.

There are a number of financial and medical concerns that need to be addressed should your child require consistent medical care, medication, or treatment. This can all be discussed with your gynecologist, genetic counselor, and relevant medical professionals. 

In the meantime, here are some helpful facts and tips from Mothers In Training.

Common Hereditary Diseases

There are numerous genetic disorders that can be passed down to children. It might be worth getting genetic testing done to adequately equip yourself. 

These are the most common hereditary diseases. 

• Hemophilia. This blood clotting disorder is almost always passed down to children, from the mother's side. It's usually male children who inherit the disorder. If your child inherits the disorder, they will need replacement therapy, which requires regular infusions. You will need to find a local pediatric hematologist if your child is positive for hemophilia.

• Cystic fibrosis. Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that cystic fibrosis is a recessive gene, and both parents need to carry the gene before passing it on to their children. Parents don't necessarily exhibit symptoms themselves. Newborns with cystic fibrosis usually have lung infections, digestive issues, and lots of wheezing. Children with the disease will have to take medication, regularly undergo bronchial airway drainage, and go on antibiotics.

• Huntington's disease. Huntington's disease typically appears during middle age but can show early signs during childhood, notes the NIH. Tremors, muscle weakness, and seizures are the most common symptoms. This disease is usually inherited from the father's side. You can get a test during pregnancy to see if your baby could get the disease. There's no cure or treatment for Huntington's disease yet, so each symptom is treated accordingly to improve quality of life.

• Down syndrome. The parents of Down syndrome children don't normally have genetic abnormalities. Women over the age of 45 are at greater risk of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome, but it can be detected during pregnancy, which gives parents time to adjust. You might need to ensure you have the finances for special schooling and care for your child, as a child with Down syndrome could remain dependent on you for life.
  

Finding a Home That Suits Your Needs

When you start a family, it's important to have space for the new additions. If your child has special needs, you might need to move. Consider getting a mortgage to ensure you have a forever place to raise a family. If you're a veteran, you might be eligible for a VA loan, which typically doesn't require a down payment and often has low-interest rates. 

Whatever type of loan you choose, consider your annual income and monthly debts and expenses when determining what you can afford. Also, if you’re thinking about buying a home as-is, there are special considerations, including the fact that if major repairs are needed after purchase, the seller isn’t responsible for paying for the fix.

Accepting the Outcome

When you are genetically predisposed to disease, your child could inherit it. This can be a major concern for potential parents. It may be so concerning that it begins to affect your mental health, in which case there are a lot of online therapists available to help you find relief.

If you undergo testing and accept all the possible scenarios, you'll be better prepared financially and emotionally. Just because you carry a genetic disorder, however, you won't necessarily pass it on.

Author, Janice Russell, believes the only way to survive parenthood is to find the humor in it. She created Parenting Disasters so that parents would have a go-to resource whenever they needed a laugh, but also to show parents they aren’t alone.

*Mothers In Training provides expert parent coaching services that seek to build a calm and gentle connection between parents and their children. Learn more about our services and check out client testimonials today.