Hi Alma, I'm 33 now; was diagnosed at 18 and figured I could chime in a bit on this issue. I'm sorry if I sound harsh here; but it's how I really thought/ felt back then.
I know there are "advancements" and all with MS and any "incureable" disease, so my thinking really was/ is kinda terriable sounding to people with MS who want children; please don't hate me for my thoughts here.

Ya see I personally have never wanted to have children; PART of why I'm still a virgin...
But shortly after/ when I was diagnosied I can remember thinkin things like "Well, The pregnancy issue is SOLVED for me!!! There is NO REASON that I should inflict what some crazy Dr. claims that I have onto any kid! I mean I REALLY wouldn't wanna pass on some incureable disease to a child that I'm supposed to really love!!?? So I guess alllll my creepy diseased eggs with their MS filth growing in them will be bein flushed away month by month... maybe I should ask for a hyst..... "

Hi, that sounds like my daugther, she wanted to have a hyste... But I convinced to use the pill and wait because that baby issue might prevent her from a relationship in the future. She says I'm not changing her mind, but she will wait,,,
Alma

Women and men with MS can be effective, involved parents of healthy, happy children. Children who have a parent with MS do have a somewhat higher risk of developing MS than children in the general population, but the risk remains relatively low at approximately 3-5%. It is good your daughter is not have a hysterocemy yet, give her some time to really think this thing through. Especially since she has not met the man she wants to spend eternity with yet. Once she falls in love, she may change her mind. It makes me sad that your daughter is carrying this burden, at such a young age. My heart breaks for her.

I wasnt diagnosed until way after my kids were born, but believe I had symptoms way back when I was having them if not way before.

Ironically the times I felt my BEST was when I was pregnant. So many of my symptoms faded or actually didnt bother me one bit and I loved being pregnant. With the risk being as low as it is, I hope your daughter might change her mind, but even if she doesnt there is always other ways of raising a family. I wish her and all the best with that decision.

Now ask me now if I wouldnt have gotten pregnant if I had known then what I know now??? I cant say to be honest, I would almost think that my decision wouldnt have been any different for the reasons of selfishness...I wanted a family more than anything and I love my kids dearly. But in the same breath I worry daily about them showing signs or symptoms. I worry most about my daughter, and youngest son....both have demonstrated "leg issues" over the years. I havent had either tested, and my daughter (27) says she would rather not know at this point.

That is a rough decision to have to deal with at such a young age as your daughter is. I hope no matter what...she can be happy with her choice and live life to the fullest no matter what.

HUGS

Hey..iim 27 n was dx'd at 20..I never considered myself the mother type never really wanted kids..I like kids I know id be a great mom but ehh not for me..my younger sisger had a baby boy n I just love him to piecess..a bit I was like man he needs a cousin I want a baby boy...but I cant get past the whole thing of a child u have to take care of..lol not for me..id make a a great aunt n I'm hoping my sisgter has more so I can do those lil things like pick then up from skool and take them to the park...now that I'm disabled my thoughts on children have not changed..I cant bare the thought of bringing a child into this world with even a chance of going thru wat I do and posssibly will...just my thought..

I was diagnosed at 14, and figured marriage and kids would probably not be in my future. Now, at 34, I am married and expecting #5 in the fall. Preganancy has not been a problem for me and caring for the kids is not an eaxy task, MS or not. The chances are slightly higher, as lchoppel pointed out, but I have 8 brothers and sisters, 40some cousins on the MS side, and I am the only one with it. I am glad my mom had me- so are my husband and children. I also think I read somewhere that the chances are higher if the father has MS- the MS was from my mother's side.

YOur daughter is only 19 and as other's have said, she may change her mind in time. I would only say be careful what steps are taken now that may effect you daughter's health negatively. Hormones seem to have an influence, though it does not seem to be fully understood yet, and adding synthetic hormones should be done cautiously. If hysterectomy is considered, at least keep the ovaries as they continue to produce hormones even after menopause.

I have read the many opinions on this matter. Each has the chance to make their own decision, that is for sure. I just wanted to mention, that I did not get my dx until most of my children were raised. I have had MS for about 24 years now. according to my doctors.

I had my six children, before I was dx'd. I am glad I did. They are all healthy, and un-ms affected. I didn't know why I had issues when I was raising them. I just dealt with life as it happened. (relapses)

My six children are my biggest blessings in life! They are all happy, healthy wonderful human beings!

So, I am glad I wasn't worried about MS back in the days when I was having children. I am glad I didn't worry about this dx lifestyle.

I just want to let you know that if your daughter feels the need to not have children, then encourage her to make her own decisions. But, also tell her to not make a permanent change until she ages a bit...you never know, there may be a cure before she gets old enough to make a final decision on that!

Best of luck with the decision!

That's way too young to make that kind of decision--but typical of someone that age: thinking they've got it all figured and settled. Life happens, things change, people change. I am lightyears already from who I was at 18.
I also got sick at 22--so I know how it is to be young and "doomed". However, same as brianap I come from a HUGE family with tons and TONS of cousins and siblings and I am the ONLY ONE WITH MS. I was just lucky I guess ;)
I am expecting my first child and I know I'm going to be a good mother to her. She's not going to suffer because I am sick and she has more chance of being born with plenty of other horrible conditions than the 3% threat of MS.
Life is risks, life is chances. Things suck sometimes and you suffer for it. But suffering is not all bad as it builds character and teaches Wisdom. To try to avoid painful things in life by not living...especially at such a young age.
There's no need for such fear.

I know many young MSers who feel that way. I think a part of it is that they can't see being a parent and dealing with MS as doable. And maybe for some it is not.

I got pregnant, on purpose, after diagnoses. But, I was already a parent once. So I knew what it was all about. I knew of ways I could be a mom and have MS.

Is it easy? No? But doable. And, my children are well-rounded, happy children. I find way to make up for where I lack.

For someone without kids, with MS, just dealing with the disease is daunting enough. They do not understand what children bring into their lives and what they can still give their children.

I laugh daily with my kids. Bad days are merely movie marathons, or board game days.

I also think at 19, being a parent is daunting enough without MS to contend with.

I think as she matures and gets older, she will start learning what she can and cannot do and will make the right decision, either to have or not have children.

I wish her all the best.

Thanks to all for the replies, I am right then. I believe in the future she might feel different. I'm a mother of three and can't imagine not being a mom. When I'm not well she's there for me as I'm for her. I think she will enjoy it. Also her oldest sister almost 30 have trouble getting pregnant and told her not to worry, she' ll be there for them as always. There's hope. Love, Alma.

I was DX at 27 and have a 2 year old son. I have decided to go on and have #2, and probebly a #3 eventaully. I wouldn't take it to the bank just yet...I didn't want kids when I was 19 either and I had NOTHING wrong with me then.. :)

Not that I could get pregnant, but remember it takes two parents. She should be getting help from the other parent - the job of raising kids is not just a mothers.

I am 25, dx at 18. Really put a lot of thought into whether or not to have children. My husband and I had a lot of long, serious conversations about it. The risk of passing on MS is very low - 4% or so. I don't consider that a factor - my father had 50% chance of passing on CMT (similar to muscular dystrophy) and neither me nor my sister ended up with it and i'm certainly happy I was born (MS or otherwise).

The second concern - raising children.. My husband understood that I would be limited and he'd have to do a lot of the "heavy lifting" so to speak. He was fine with this and so we proceeded.

I have a beautiful 2 year old son that my husband and I have never regretted or questioned. But that's because I married the man I did. If he was even a fraction less supportive of me or having a baby, I'd likely have made a different decision. It's all about circumstance. But tell her to hold off on the hyst. until she is married and positive - who knows what life will bring?

I should add though that MS was the defining factor for stopping at one. One takes enough energy, it wouldn't be fair to my hubby or my son to have a second, I don't think I'd be able to keep up with two. That's just me though, assessing my own limitations, we each have to make those choices based on our circumstances.

I had my son when I was 27 and got my dx 18 months later. I have never regretted having him a day in my life but my husband really wants another one. It took me a long time to realize that I really did too so now we are "trying". We will see what happens and I know that it will be a challenge but I have an amazing husband and support system so I know I can do it. Bonus being pregnant was awesome I couldn't believe how good I felt during the whole thing. Guess my MS knew better. HUGS!