I've never heard it was genetic. I am the only one in my family to have it, and my doctor told me way back when I'd have a "very good chance" of having kids without it (I do not have any kids of my own, but not because of that). Your UTI's, back pain, and bowel problems are almost 100% positively from Spina Bifida though. I can't believe you were never told. I would go to the closest "city" to you, find a good specialist, and get some information on this. I am 31 and had been fine until this year (always had SB, but no complications other than 1 kidney infection) until major back pain this year. Now they think I have Tethered Cord Syndrome and will need spinal cord surgery. This was diagnosed by a previous neurosurgeon 10 yrs ago, but when he died, nobody followed up on it, so it went untreated. Just get someone good.

Hi

There is no known cause of Spina Bifida but I've read research that some forms of Spina Bifida is hereditary, some is environmental, some is from abuse, some is from lack of folic acid. I have Myelomengecele (sp?) and during my oldest sisters third pregnancy she had an x-ray and they found Occulta.

Basically what I'm saying is dont give up hope! I'm sorry you lost a baby (my mom had 8 children - one died after birth) and then she had 6 miscarriages. Of those children 2 of us have Spina Bifida and one was born and died of heart problems and then one was born premie so she developed Cerebral Palsy. Yes it can be genetic, but there are many things that can go wrong with a pregnancy - my point is don't give up. If you want a baby have one or adopt. Try and stay positive - Spina Bifida is scary but your future child has wonderful possibilities to look forward to. Hugs CathyM

I am 38 and at first my folks were told it was gentic. Now the believe ( there has been a lot of research to prove it) that it is a vitamin Bdefiency

I am a mother of a six year old with spina bifida (the open kind)and I have been worried about having another child with it. I did get preg. twice last year but m/c twice because my own health problems and I have been told my two angel babies were fine, no spina bifida. What I have been told is that there are alot of people walking around with it and don't know until they get an MRI because of back pain, my Ob doctor being one. I am starting to wonder if my husband has it, he has always had back pain and urinary problems and still does. It sounds like you do have spina bifida occulta with the problemes you mentioned. I would find a good doctor and see if you can get help for your heath. As a mother of a child with spina bifida if you really want a child go for it, my son has taught me so much!

Although it cannot be pinpointed to being genetic there may be a chance it is. My daughter has spina bifida and her grandmother also has it. The doctors couldnt say this is why she got it but, from the conversations I have had with them they seem to think this is why my daughter got it.

When I found out that Lucy had spina bifida, they told me that it was genetic, too. I think it's there way of saying that they don't know..go somewhere...anywhere and get a second opinion. I have to do it with Lucy all the time. Have no shame and don't stop until you feel better!!

I'm 20 and had a sudden onset of symptoms I went to my primary 5-7 times, a GI doc. and a Urologist who sent me back to GI but any who I freaked out saying something was wrong, and they did a ct scan due to abdominal pain. and all of a sudden they found a mass the size of a large orange atached to my spinal cord and three mri's later a teather, but anywho I live in a small town and I know the run around, stick to your gut if you think something is wrong stick with it

Genetics definitely play a role. If I remember correctly, both the mother and the father have to carry the gene for SB (whether it's dominant or recessive, I don't know). But, just because both parents carry the gene doesn't mean that the child will definitely get SB. Likewise, both parents can carry the gene and neither of them have SB.

it mite becase i am 12 and i have sb and my dad had it to but not as bad as me so you should just pray and hope that it dose not mail me samanthadawn@q.com

Julie i am appaulled that you were never told. I am natasha aged 31 and have had spina bifida occulta since birth (a type of SB). If you ever want to chat then get in touch either or send me your email address via private message.

Take care