Hereditary Genetic Problems

» AmandaOHare - I totally agree!

I totally agree with the woman in the article who is a diabetic. I have lupus, which also causes organ damage, even if you are on medication for it. A pregnancy is very scary if you have lupus, as it puts so much strain on your body and can damage your kidneys to the point of needing dialysis or a transplant. While this was not the sole reason that my husband and I are childfree, it was a factor. I also am torn about mentioning this as a reason to people when they ask why we don't have children because I don't want the sympathy from them since we probably wouldn't have had children even if I didn't have lupus. Thanks for the informative and interesting article!

~Amanda

-- posted by AmandaOHare

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» AnnNonamouse - Heredity/Genetic Problems

I have some unnamed genetic problem that seems to have affected several members of my father's side of the family. It may have originated from his grandmother, who was described as having a condition that "got worse with each childbirth". It could be along the lines of autism spectrum or schizoid personality disorder, but at any rate those affected have problems relating to social skills and expression, seem to have some degree of being "trapped in their own little world" and almost invariably become the target of bullying in school. My father seemed to be quite affected and would hardly ever speak or interact with us (or anyone) when we were growing up. There were four children in the family and all of us had varying degrees of this problem. It's probably one of the reasons I am CF, because it has always been difficult for me to tolerate noise and distraction, not to mention I don't think I would be able to assume responsibility for another human being. This on top of not really thinking it fair to carry this condition on into another generation.

Anyways, my one redeeming quality was that I had talent in creative endeavors and was able to make my living at it. For awhile this made me feel as if I had an important place in the world. These days, as I approach my late 30s I am feeling quite different, and not as hopeful, creative and motivated as I used to be, but more tranquil and stupid, like my brain is starting to shift into "autopilot for breeding" mode. Everyone nowadays is having kids, and I am starting to feel like a freak. Hormones must be changing, too, because I wake up feeling as if I need an offspring "to give me something to live for". It's an awful feeling to get when you know you aren't cut out for that and never really wanted it. I wish I could find a way to maintain some kind of connection and sense of importance in the world without having to resort to the "answer" everyone else seems to arrive at.
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-- posted by AnnNonamouse

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» FelicityJane - Hereditary/Genetic Problems

Between me and my husband, there are quite a few health issues. On his side, there is Multiple Sclerosis, depression, anxiety disorder and breast cancer. In my family, there is diabetes, Attention Deficit Disorder, OCD, and psychotic/antisocial disorder (my mom has it--thank God I don't). I really don't think that any of these factors would mix too well if we made a baby. I just simply prefer to be childfree. Personally, I am much too independent to be tied down with kids.

-- posted by FelicityJane

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» girlytoads1964 - Staying childfree

I have severe scoliosis, my brothers had skull problems as babies, and one brother has mild scoliosis. I won't have kids because I know they will get the bone problems we have. Even my sister didn't excape unscathed - her uterus was formed heart-shaped, and needed surgery so she'd not miscarry anymore.
My husband had multiple problems as a baby, and who knows if he'd pass these on to his child?
I also am plagued by bad eyes, thinning hair, crooked teeth, and an undiagnosed mild mental condition passed from my grandfather to my mother to me.
I do not want ANY innocent child to be born possessing my defective genes.
I AM free, I am childfree!