How can we avoid having a baby with the "SS" genotype. ( a sickle cell baby)?

Question

We have been dating for 4 years now. We started making arrangements to get married. My Mom used to tell me I am of the "AS" genotype. I guess my Mom assumed so. My boyfriend forced me to go and get my complete medical report. He already produced his own, before we started dating. He is of the "AS" genotype. I did my medical test twice, and the result shows that I am also of the "AS" genotype, contrary to what my Mom assumed.

The issue now, is that My boyfriend and I are of the "AS" genotype. From the study of heredity in college, I was made to understand that if two people of "AS" genotypes get married, they stand the chance of bearing a "SS" genotype baby (sickle cell baby).

My Mom had advised that we break up, if there is no way of avoiding having the sickle cell baby. My boyfriend and I would like to have at least a baby. My boyfriend and I love each other so much. I can't just imagine me, breaking up with a guy with whom i grew up for 4 years. He can't just leave me alone. We are life to each other.

We love to get married, and have at least a baby. Please, how can we get married with this "AS" genotypes, and not have the "SS" genotype baby (sickle cell baby). Please I need a way out fast. My heart is bleeding as I am asking this question. This is my true life story, what is actually happening to me now. I need answers as fast as possible please!

Aside breaking up advice, what other feasible options do we have? Please I need as many options as possible. Please!

Answer 1

Everyone is born with two genes (one from each parent) for hemoglobin type. Normal hemoglobin is referred to as hemoglobin A; there are more than 600 types of abnormal hemoglobin and some , when combined with hemoglobin S may create a sickling disorder as in hemoglobin SC, hemoglobin SD, sickle beta zero thalassemia, or sickle beta plus thalassemia. The types of sickle cell disease with the most serious complications are hemoglobin SS and sickle beta zero thalassemia.

Parents are highly encouraged to know their hemoglobin types, since two persons with the sickle cell trait have a one in four chance of having a child with sickle cell disease every time the woman conceives

What is Sickle Cell Trait?

Sickle Cell trait (AS) is an inherited condition in which both hemoglobin A and S are produced in the red blood cells, always more A than S. Sickle cell trait is not a type of sickle cell disease. People with sickle cell trait are generally healthy

Two carriers have a 25 percent chance of having an unaffected child with normal hemoglobin, a 50 percent chance of having a child who also is a carrier, and a 25 percent chance of having a child with sickle cell anemia. These chances are the same in each pregnancy.

Everybody has two chromosomes for each gene . If your grandpa had it, your dad would at least be a carrier, since he would have gotten 1 sickle chrom. from his dad. If your dad didn't have it, I would say he is just a carrier (1 sickle chrom. & 1 non-sickle chrom.). It's really hard to say whether you're a carrier or not without knowing your mom's genes, but I'll give it a shot:

If your mom had sickle cell, you have 50% chance of getting sickle cell, and 50% chance of being a carrier.

If your mom was a carrier, you have 25% chance of getting sickle cell, 50% chance of being a carrier, and 25% chance of having no sickle cell chromosomes.

If you mom had no sickle chrom's, you have 50% chance of being a carrier, and 50% chance of not having sickle chrom's.

I hope you can find out your mom's genes and identify with one of the scenarios. Now, for the odds that your kids will have sickle (I'll try to cover all scenarios of you and your spouse):

Both parents sickle: kids will be sickle as well.

1 sickle + 1 carrier: 50% chance sickle, 50% chance carrier.

1 sickle + 1 non: 50% carrier, 50% non.

1 carrier + 1 carrier: 25% sickle, 50% carrier, 25% non.

1 carrier + 1 non: 50% carrier, 50% non.

1 non + 1 non: 100% non.

So  if both of you being carrriers, would have an offspring with a possibility of being sickle 25%-  50 % carrier and 25 % as a non

Treatment

1) Bone marrow transplant offers the only potential cure for sickle cell anemia. But very few people have a suitable donor for transplant.

T2) There is an in vitro fertilization procedure that improves the chances that parents who both carry the sickle cell gene will have a child with normal hemoglobin. This procedure is known as preimplantation genetic diagnosis. First, eggs are taken from the mother. Then, sperm is taken from the father. In a laboratory, the eggs are fertilized with the sperm. The fertilized eggs are then tested for the presence of the sickle cell gene. Fertilized eggs free of the sickle cell gene can be implanted into the mother for normal development. However, this procedure is expensive and not always successful

3) Genetic counselling

Answer 2

You both need to see a genetic counsellor / genetic Dr and have proper blood tests to establish the actual percentages and only a  professional who is an expect can truly advise on this extremely important area, I hope it works out ok .

Answer 3

If you are both carriers- there is a risk that your child could have sickle cell disease.

The two of you need to talk to a genetic counselor to see what your options are.  In vitro might be an option but it can be very expensive.