Husband w/ CF - Kids possible?

[anonymous]

My husband has CF (we're both 25). I was tested recently and I'm not a carrier of CF. We want to have kids, but I just want to know - is it possible? Is anyone here in a similar situation?? Thanks in advance... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Yes I'm sure it is possible. Unfortunately the reality that 98% of males cannot have children naturally is a fact. I know because I have tried to inform myself as much as possible because my significant other has CF. I myself was tested for the CF gene and I too am not a carrier, but that too does not lessen the chance of passing on the CF gene. As your husband has CF meaning that he is a dominant carrier and will most likely pass on the recessive gene to a child/children.
I am a Medical Assistant and have worked with many doctors, at one point I met a doctor who was a "floater" physician and she told me about an In-Vitro process, I believe called IntraPlasmic In-Vitro Fertilization if I recall that wrong I'm sorry. I am more than sure that a specialist would know.
It is a process in which the DNA is literally sucked out of the sperm, after extracting some sperm from the male and from there directly inserted in an egg and grown as an embryo and then implanted into the uterus. She had mentioned that one of her friends had it done and that it had been covered by insurance.
I don't know anything for sure as I have not gotten to that point yet. The hard part about the whole process is that like all in-vitro processes you just don't know. The reason behind males not being able to have children naturally is because of the thickening of mucus in the lining of the reproductive system. That is what really makes the process of fathering a child next to impossible.
You will have to let me know what you find out, I'd be interested in it.
I also would not mind having someone to interact with about CF. My name is Michelle and my email address is missmem@juno.com

Hope all is all well- Holidays Greetings to all!

Mem

 

[Magerly111]

I had posted a really long response to this, but then realized what the originator of this post was really asking. I misread it. I thought you were asking whether or not your kids would turn out to have CF, but you were just asking if you would be able to have kids. Nevermind. Don't pay any attention to this message. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Hey, I am in a similar situation. I am 25 also and my fiance has CF. He is 34. Almost all CF males cannot have children naturally because they have a deformed vas deferens. I am a pre-med student and I have done a lot of research on CF and reproduction. Even though you are not a carrier of the gene the child would definitey be a carrier but would not have the disease. There are ways to have a child but there is no guarantee and it is very expensive. The cost ot have an extraction of sperm and an in-vitro done is about $18,000 a try and insurance doesn't cover it most of the time. If you want children you might want to look into other means. Such as donor sperm or adoption. I have decided that I don't want to have children because I don't want to raise them alone. I know it is a hard decision to make but you will have to weigh all of your options. Good luck. If you have any questions my e-mail is asander6@tampabay.rr.com.

Amanda

 

[anonymous]

the procedure is IVF with Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). It requires sperm extraction from the CF male, then invetro on the female. They leave the eggs to become embryos fro 3-5 days and then implant "successful" embryos back inside you. The cost ranges anywhere from 10-20k depending on where you live, if you have IVF coverage, if you live in a state that mandates it...but it is possible and there have been successes.
To correct what the prior poster said about lessing the chances of your child being a CF carrie, if your spouse has CF and even though you aren't a carrier, your child will be. There are not if, and's or but's about it. But at least they will know, and being a carrier isn't all that bad-specially with the way technology is advancing by the time your children are having babies it might not even be an issue anymore.

Let me know if you want to talk more, my husband and I are going through the procedure in October, earlier if possible but I am doing it through the military so I am on a waiting list. I'll keep you posted on what works for us if you are interested.

Julie

 

[anonymous]

Hi,my grandson was born with cf and belevie me it was hard to deal with that but to later find out he was born with out his vas defrence tubes.So his situation is more complicated for him to have children.We were told the only way for him to have children would be for a doctor to extract his sperm and implant it into the female.So there is various out comes when having cf and wanting to have children.I do agree with the one person on it being expensive and doing other things to have a dream of becoming a mother .My daughter is terrified of having anymore children because her and her husband are carriers and they won't have another child,that dos'ent mean that she don't want more children it is the thought that she could bring another child into to this world to suffer.Some people are less forunate than others,and when I say this meaning as far being able to afford these expensive treatments to have a child.My daughter watches her friends have children left and right and it's hard on her because she knows she will not have another child.Oh I've just lead away from your question I'm so sorry.Anyway that is another problem with having cf no vas defrence tubes.

 

[anonymous]

As a 32 year old CF male the answer is yes, it is possible. There are a tremendous amount of obstacles to overcome. I would first recommend working with your CF care provider in recommending an IVF clinic or Doctor. Second it is incredibly expensive, and there are no guarantees. I do not know of any insurance plan that will cover this cost. Last, there are IVF doctors that will refuse to perform the procedure because they believe or fear the chance of spreading the CF gene is too great.

But it is possible!!!

Ed

 

[anonymous]

Ed, this is off the topic of the origional poster-sorry, but have you personally been through the sperm retrieval and all that other good stuff? My husband has had some labs, and they have come back abnormal but the doctors we are working with (in the military) have never dealt with a CF male and the infertility factor so we don't know whats normal and what's not. If you every have a chance to share it, you can email me at division902@hotmail.com I would love to talk to somebody who has already been through it.

Julie