Did your mother smoke?

[Viva001]

Mine did, a lot.

Did she take folic acid?
The reason I ask about the latter is because I've been in communication w/a Manx breeder, & she said that they are not prone to spinal problems.  But she said that spinal problems, including spina bifida, is caused by a lack of folic acid (or malabsorption of it).  I ever heard this before and wondered what anyone thought.

[The_Marine_Corp_Brat]

Not sure! we are trying to get all of the "proper paperwork" together in hopes that it will be.
It is a scientific fact that a man's sperm if affected by alcohol, toxic chemicals or other things can affect the child produced form that sperm. According to my sons Dr. neway.
I have chemical sensitivities and fragrances give me migraines! Pinesol and Dry cleaning chemicals kill me!  

[Viva001]

I just read that there will be medical care for those affected!  Will your family be part of that?

I'm extremely sensitive to VOCs--my father worked at a dry cleaners; all our clothes were dry cleaned except for our underwear--same chemicals you were exposed to.

I can still remember being told in elementary school not to eat the snow--it contained Strontium 90!  So I always wondered about radiation.

I suppose Chiari can be a random mutation, but the scientist in me wonders what occurs when that neural tube is forming.  It could even be a cold.

[RheaAnn]

I am a fraternal twin. My sister does not have Chiari and I do. My mother did not drink nor smoke. She did not have any morning sickness and was healthy the whole pregnancy.

I still wonder how strong the genetic factor come into play in CM. We share at least 50% of our genes, maybe more, but we have not been DNA tested to determine how much. And neither of our parents have it. It's odd to me!

[The_Marine_Corp_Brat]

My mom never smoked or drank, I was conceived and born on Camp LeJeune so my mom drank the polluted water there before during and after her pregnancy with me, and of course I not only drank it but bathed in it as a child till my dad got out of the Marine Corps. We have all had health problems related to the water, I am the only one that has the CM though. My Dr.'s, several anyway feel it is related to the toxic chemicals that she was unknowingly drinking when pregnant and then I was drinking when little. I have so many health problems that could probably all be related to that. I suppose that the toxic chemicals could have depleted my moms folic acid, I will have to ask my dr.s about that. That's a good question!  
My Aunt had a child with Spina Bifida but it ran in her husbands family and she had also come and stayed with my mom around the same time my mom was preg. soooooo.... that could've been me? maybe? God had something for me and I am grateful for everyday he gives me good or not so good! :)

[selmaS]

  Hi..my mom did not smoke , but my dad did.....however I have 3 sisters and none have this so far to my knowledge.....And my dad's brother has a son with spina bifida and neither he or his wife smoked.....

Folic acid is something to monitor while pregnant....but, I do not know if smoking is the only link.....

Folic acid can be lost for some woman that have abnormal morning sickness and vomit to excess, so this should be reported and treated.....I know of one woman that had this and refused to tell her dr and did have a son with SB.

[Munchies2012]

Mine smoked no folic acid didn't even drink milk. And i am fairly sure shy drank alcohol