Ask Laju Iren – My fiancé and I have the AS genotype, what do we do?

Dear Laju, I’m AS and my spouse-to-be is of the AS genotype as well. We still love each other in spite of this. What do we do?

Hello dear, thank you for your question. I know quite a number of couples who both have AS genotypes that gone on to have children that do not have SS genotypes.

Sadly however, the reverse is sometimes the case. Many say that the pain of having a child born with the SS genotype is nothing compared to the love you now feel. When such a child goes into crisis, it has a psychological effect on the parents and their marriage. Nothing is as painful as losing a child, or not being sure whether that child will live or die. It is not just emotionally draining but has physical and financial implications as well.

Eventually, Whether or not such couples choose to go on to marry each other is their choice.However, it must be an informed choice. Both parties must be aware of what they are getting into and make their decisions based on such available facts. For instance, there is branch of In Vitro Fertlization, IVF which focuses on Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), wherein the embryos would be screened, and only those free of the SS genotype would be transferred. This means that such couples can decide not to have children by natural means, but choose this option instead. This is totally different from aborting a pregnancy because the child is SS. It is ensuring that you conceive a non – SS child in the first place. Although it is said to be pretty expensive, if you both can save up for it, and wait until you can afford it before having children, it could prove to be worth it in the long run.

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4 Comments

  1. Favour November 19, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    Thanks for answering this question but this is a very sensitive topic that always gets my attention, AS+AS=NO.. please don’t do it.. you might Think you can handle the consequence of your decision either to go ahead and faith it or go through the IVF and all that but would you rather be up and down going through needle piercing and all those things rather that enjoying time with your kids and husband? They sound easier than they really are.. it is not worth it my dear poster.. the “Love” you both feel now will disappoint you when you are face to face with the consequences.. please it’s not a path to thread.. I’m not against believing God but wisdom is profitable to direct..

    Reply
    1. Laju Iren November 19, 2016 at 8:57 pm

      Hello Favour. Thanks for your comment. It would be great of you read the entire post though, so that you can learn about thr medical options available.

      Reply
      1. Favour November 22, 2016 at 11:54 am

        Hello Laju, I saw the medical part and how expensive it is.. it isn’t jzt abt the money.. have u checked the procedures and what you might have to go through? How many people have done it willfully? The times going in and out of hospitals can be used to enjoy ur marriage and healthy kids. I don’t mean to come out rude, plz have you been around or lived with people that have SS kids or have Hon through the mentioned procedure before having kids? Believe me, you don’t wanna advice anyone to do that except they were already married before realising the genotype issue.

        Reply
        1. Laju Iren November 22, 2016 at 2:48 pm

          I agree. It is difficult to raise children with the SS genotype. That’s why the crux of this article focuses on the Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), where one is sure about the gentype of the child even before conception.

          Reply

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