OB appt today....Sickle Cell Trait?

Okay...I had my monthly OB appt today and everything went well.  The hearbeat sounded good and strong.  I asked her about the H1N1 vaccine and she really didn't pu****  She said that she is really advising it for those who may work in the school system or hospital...other than that...It was up to my comfort level with it.  I don't plan to get it.

I did find out today that we both have the sickle cell trait, which means there is a 1 in 4 chance that the baby may have sickle cell disease.  Honestly, I don't know much about it so I plan to do some research.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

I know sickle cell is a disease that is carried / manifested mostly in the African American community in this country. 

I remember studying it in genetics classes because I had a friend in grade school who had it.... and she would have these painful episodes and cry and sob.... yet nothing LOOKED wrong - her body just hurt.  My mom explained it was the "sickle" shaped blood cells getitng caught.... but later after studying it more I don't think that's what causes the pain.

I know drinking a lot of fluids can help and there have been some people "cured" with stem cell (cord blood) transfusions.  (of course you have to have cord blood from someone without sickle cell to transfuse with...)

They can test the baby before their born to know if they have it.

Used to be kids/people with sickle cell would die young.....  I remember when I was in grade school and reading about it because of my friend it was 30-40 years old and organs would fail.   But I am sure treatment has come a long way !

1 in 12 African Americans in this country carry the trait....both parents have to have the trait to create the disease.

I hope all goes well -- glad to hear so far it seems positive !! 

Cindy

i used to baby sit for a little girl who had it... she had some serious complications because of it that are not the norm...from what i understand its a funny shaped red blood cell that normally has no problems.. sometimes the "clump" together and that is where the pain comes from.. usually in the arms/legs...  however this little girl not only had the pain episodes... she also had to get her spleen removed.. and because her heart had to pump so much harder to get the "sickled" blood cells where they needed she developed high blood pressure... the high blood pressure cause enlarged veins in her brain and there for she had an increased risk of stroke... they finally after all this came up with a treatment plan.. she would get blood transfusions monthly... this would help take away the bad blood cells... shes now healthy and into the 3rd grade!.. again these are not normal complications .. the good news is... you have a 75% chance on having a baby without the disease... i found some links for you!

https://www.google.com/health/ref/Sickle+cell+anemia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sickle-cell_disease

Thanks for the links!  I am going to focus on the 75% chance that the baby won't have it.

Take care...

I have the trait & so does my husband.  Here is how it works:

25% chance your baby will be free of sickle cell or the trait
50% chance your baby will have the trait
25% chance your baby will have sickle cell the disease

My baby was born with the trait!!!  Thank God...

Thanks...I am maintaining faith that it won't even be an issue.