marrying first cousins?

[sadzzz]

Re: marrying first cousins?

@_Passionate

Stoppit - Well, we are only discussing cousin marriages in this thread. If we were discussing the risk factors for a child to be born with Down’s then we would be listing and discussing mother’s age etc. In a first trimester screening, different tests are performed. Mom’s bloodwork, baby’s nasal bone, nuchal translucency etc. All these factors are combined with the mom’s age and family history and a risk assessment is performed. If your family history indictes that you are married to your first cousin or have had previous cousin marriages it is likely that the assessment for Down’s will be in the risk category i.e. 1 in 300 or even less than that. Of course not all babies from cousin marriages are born with Down’s or any of the other genetic abnormalities. All I am saying is a genetic counselor will tell you that the risk is high.
I am obviously not an expert in the matter. I briefly considered it as a career option, so I am just telling you from what I remember seeing at the prenatal clinics.

CDG - LOL. Actually I do My family has a history of heart disease. I don’t want hubby and I both to drop dead in our 50s j/k.
And yes, you are absolutely correct that the age of the mom is one of the biggest risk factors for Down’s Syndrome.

do many doctors ask whether you and your spouse are related in any other way other than marriage?

Serious question…