I know why I've m/c 3 times...

As many of you know, I went to the doctor's office on Friday the 23rd.  He wanted to see me about the results of my choromosome analysis.  I knew it wasn't good.  It turns out that I have a "balanced translocation."  Apparently, during my own devlopment, chromosome #2 and chromosome #14 got too close to each other and exchanged information.  So now, 14 has a little of 2 and 2 has a little of 14.  He stressed that I am a normal 46 XX female but believe me, I don't feel normal!  I mean, come on, I think my chances of being nibbled to death by ducks is higher than my chances of this!  What does this mean?  According to my doctor, I have an increased risk of m/c.  The geneticist (sp?) that he's sending me to will give more info.  I'm bummed.  I feel like I have nothing to look forward to except more m/c and maybe a healthy pregnancy eventually.  At least he said there's a chance.  Has anyone else heard of this and did you/they have a healthy baby?  I'm desperate and really getting depressed.  I wish everything was normal....

[YvetteY]

So does that mean you can't get pregnant at all?  

I understand that the chormosomes got too close and that they each got a little of the other, but how does that affect your fertility???  How does it impact you when you get pregnant??

I'm sorry, I've never heard of your situation.   Is it common?   Are you hopeful at all?  Will the geneticist (sp?) be able to help??

Is this from the blood work that they do to see why you are miscarrying ?  

I'm so sorry for the news your doctor gave you, I  hope it still works out for you.  

[YvetteY]

I found a linke to a medical article.  Although it's a bit confusing to read, perhaps it could be helpful and it appears that although you may be prone to m/c you can still have a healthy baby. Ask the specialist if PGD could be an option for you.

http://www.usd.edu/med/som/genetics/curriculum/1ECHROM3.htm

[baby1234]

I am so sorry for your losses. I have heard of what you are talking about (and am in the process of testing for it in myself as I have had two mcs within the last 3 months). It is called translocation. I just want to tell you that I have read about many women with translocation who went on to have their own children!

One option for you is to do an in-vitro cycle and do pgd (pre implantation genetic diagnosis) in order to select embryos which will have the best chance of implanting and surviving (the embryos not affected by the translocation). I copied this off of my doctor's site:

"PGD is used to screen embryo(s) prior to implantation to enhance selection of embryos free of chromosomal abnormalities which might cause implantation to fail or the pregnancy to be disrupted. PGD is also used to screen for sex selection, or for genetic diseases that may be passed on to a baby, such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, or sickle cell anemia."

A second option is to continue to try as you are right now. You are right when you say you may have another mc, but you may not! Your next pregnancy could be the one that is able to thrive and grow for 9 months.

I would suggest you visit ivfconnections.com and search for translocation. There is also a pgd board if you would want to investigate this option further.

My heart goes to you...please don't give up hope, though. Take care.

[marie1210]

What it means is that I'm more likely to have a m/c than most women.  From what I've been reading, it could also mean that my chances of having a child with a birth defect or mental retardation is higher as well, if the pregnancy continues.  I get pregnant fairly easily, my fertility in that department is not effected.  It's just a matter of what chromosomes happen to be passed in my eggs.  So far, I have m/c each pregnancy.  I hope I don't have to go through too many more m/c to have  a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby.  I've heard IVF and PGD are pretty expensive.  I don't know if I'd be able to afford it.  Plus, nothing is guaranteed.

[onlyone196]

I have a translocation 3:14 We do have one healthy little girl that is 5yrs know. We have been trying to have another I have had three m/c email me back if you like but it will get better one day:)