Contemplating a "first" child

[dullom@elkhart.com]

Most of what I've found about genetics indicates the chances of a second child having a cleft. I have a bilateral cleft lip and palate. Neither of my parents had one, nor are any apparent in any family members I know of. My sister (younger then me) was born with no cleft at all. I am going to father a child in the next year, and would like to know: What are my chances that my child will have one (we are contemplating our first) and to be completely honest, I am scared to death. I am 38 years old, so I'm sure there have been many changes in treatment and repair. I had 16 surgeries over 18 years before I was "complete", and my heart just cringes at the thought of my child enduring that. Maybe I chose the wrong forum to discuss this, but I know the people that might read this here would know more of what I am talking about then anyone else.


David

[Charity]

i was born with a cleft lip and palate as well. my father carried the gene defect. before him, no one did either. out of his 5 daughters, 3 of us have the gene defect. you have a 50/50 chance at carring on the gene defect. it depends on whether your child gets the gene cromosone from you or your wife. if they get it from your wife, then theywont. unless she carries the gene defect too. dont let that stop you from having a baby though. it's not going to stop my husband and I for when we decide to have a child. good luck.p.s. i had 17 surgery's too and you cant even tell i was born with it.

[Calvero]

I'm 26 and was born with both cleft lip and cleft palate and no one else in my family, past or present, having one. I'm also a mom of a cute daughter that was born free of any serious complications (only had jaundice). For some reason I never thought twice about having a child. And I feel that if I did have one that had a cleft, I would be in a better postion on how to deal with it than my parents (not to say that they didn't do a good job ). My husband and I are still thinking about having another one within the next year or so.


I don't know what your chances are, but since you don't have a family history of it, it wouldn't be as great as someone who has had a history. I have talked with other parents and all those that didn't have a history didn't have cleft kids.


Good luck with your decision!


Calvero
Born to be Cleft
<a href="http://calvero.tripod.com/cleft/">http://calvero.tripod.com/cleft/</a>
The Cleft Club
<a href="http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/thecleftclub">http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/thecleftclub</a>