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High Risk Of Birth Defects?

2 posts on this thread and the last post was on January 14th, 2009 10:05 AM
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flutterfly - January 13th, 2009 10:51 PM
 [Original Post]

I was recently on a very potent, high teratogenic medication called Accutane. It was found that birth defects ( major birth defects) were caused by this medication. I recently found out I was pregnant and immediately stopped taking this medication, but my chances of having a baby with a severe or life-threatening birth defect are over 25%. I am really scared as is my partner and we have been worrying over this for a couple days now. It is just torture knowing that you may have a child who has a severe disability or a severe physical defect. My partner and I are not married, nor were we planning on spending the rest of our lives together. Caring for a disabled child or even a child with a severe birth defect is hard even for two parents, let alone a single mom. I am scared and dont know whether an abortion would be best, adoption or keeping the child. Any advice, shared experiences or support would be greatly appreciated.

lunamoo - January 14th, 2009 5:32 AM

YIKES!!! This is definitely a question for an expert doctor and get a least 2 opinions. From reading on the internet the possible birth defects, hydro or micor cephalic or cleft lip are very obvious to a good ultrasound technician. I am very skeptical when "research" says something can cause "learning disibilities" as that is so arbitrary to say AND they usually NEVER test the parents IQ which is necessary if you are testing a child's IQ. Anyway this is a very scary sitation. Did the doc who prescribed the Accutane warn you of the possibilities. From what I read on the internet they say docs should recommend 2 forms of birth control whilst taking the drug....

clindholm - January 14th, 2009 10:05 AM

You poor thing, what a horrible worry to have to deal with. I agree with lunamoo. I would not opt for an abortion b/c there is early testing that can be done to rule out or confirm defects at which time a termination can be done if the defects are present and prove to be too serious to be compatible with life. I would discuss the screenings that can be done with your OB asap so that you can have them scheduled. My OB did early screening at 13 weeks which would have picked up any of the defects that lunamoo indicated, but can be done as early as 12 weeks.