I Want Another Child, But Will He Have Celiac Too?

[Leslielu]

My mother in law is a diagnosed celiac. She almost died of celiac 6 years ago. They thought she had lupus, cancer, etc, etc, and so on. Basically they didn't know what was killing her but something was. She was 90 lbs. when she was diagnosed. Regardless, when we brought my son home from the hospital he had a lot of major problems, rashes, spitting up, horrible horrible diarrhea, stomach aches, constant crying at night. After being treated like an idiot by many people and doctors, it was suggested by my doula that he might have a food allergy and then it hit me celiac. I went on the diet since he was exclusively breastfed and saw DRAMATIC effects. He ended up also being allergic to casein.

Please bear with me this part is important My mother in laws whole family has symptoms of celiac and gluten intolerance. My husband included, he is one that is more severe and I see his sufferings. (He's in denial though) His sister has just put her whole family on the diet including her twins that she is still breastfeeding as well. Also, his sister has had a positive biopsy and neg. blood test, but is still in denial that she could have this problem as well. After her and her 4 children went on the diet they showed great improvement. No more stomach aches, diarrhea, or mouth sores. (Believe it or not she is still in denial.) My Mother-In-Law said that her mother diet young and suffered the same symptoms she did before being diagnosed. Her brother also has huge bump rashes all over his knees and refuses to believe that it could be gluten. (I'm like whats wrong with these people!! They like to suffer I guess)

So, my point is if someone has it in their family does that mean their child will definitely have it? I want more children, but my mother insists that if I have another child he will have celiac too! And that i would be selfish.

I have been wondering if a parent has it diagnosed or undiagnosed will that child always have an allergy to it. My son also had fetal growth restriction and was born very skinny. As soon as I started the gluten-free diet he was a chunky monkey.

[Coleslawcat]

My mother in law is a diagnosed celiac. She almost died of celiac 6 years ago. They thought she had lupus, cancer, etc, etc, and so on. Basically they didn't know what was killing her but something was. She was 90 lbs. when she was diagnosed. Regardless, when we brought my son home from the hospital he had a lot of major problems, rashes, spitting up, horrible horrible diarrhea, stomach aches, constant crying at night. After being treated like an idiot by many people and doctors, it was suggested by my doula that he might have a food allergy and then it hit me celiac. I went on the diet since he was exclusively breastfed and saw DRAMATIC effects. He ended up also being allergic to casein.

Please bear with me this part is important My mother in laws whole family has symptoms of celiac and gluten intolerance. My husband included, he is one that is more severe and I see his sufferings. (He's in denial though) His sister has just put her whole family on the diet including her twins that she is still breastfeeding as well. Also, his sister has had a positive biopsy and neg. blood test, but is still in denial that she could have this problem as well. After her and her 4 children went on the diet they showed great improvement. No more stomach aches, diarrhea, or mouth sores. (Believe it or not she is still in denial.) My Mother-In-Law said that her mother diet young and suffered the same symptoms she did before being diagnosed. Her brother also has huge bump rashes all over his knees and refuses to believe that it could be gluten. (I'm like whats wrong with these people!! They like to suffer I guess)

So, my point is if someone has it in their family does that mean their child will definitely have it? I want more children, but my mother insists that if I have another child he will have celiac too! And that i would be selfish.

I have been wondering if a parent has it diagnosed or undiagnosed will that child always have an allergy to it. My son also had fetal growth restriction and was born very skinny. As soon as I started the gluten-free diet he was a chunky monkey.

I don't know what the odds are that your next child would have it, but I can't imagine it's a reason not to have more children. You are already well educated about the gluten free diet and know how to manage it. Your family already eats gluten free so it wouldn't be an extra challenge for you to have your next child be gluten free either. So long as you follow the diet I don't see celiac as a reason to restrict the size of your family. If you were dealing with a condition that doesn't have a cure or treatment then that would be a different concern. Of course it's up to you whether or not you want to take the risk. This next time around you would know to cut gluten out of your diet early on if the next child shows the same symptoms as your first.

[tarnalberry]

The odds are 1 in 10 he will develop celiac.

But seriously, not being able to eat wheat, rye, barley, and (possibly) oats is a reason to not have a kid? I mean, how many people have food aversions and won't eat, say... tomatoes? or cheese? or chocolate? (Those three happen to be my husband's big three aversions. He has others. ) Do we say that they shouldn't procreate either, because their kids might not like every food? What about all those kids who hate vegetables, and continue doing so as an adult? Do we say that they shouldn't have kids because they don't like their veggies? Bah! I find the logic spurious at best.

[OptimisticMom42]

I could follow your mother's logic if we were talking about down syndrome, cancer, missing limbs.... to intentionally bring a child into the world to live a pain filled life so that you could have your very own baby would be selfish.

But....celiac isn't a anything like that. Yes, the diet takes some getting use to but it's just a diet not chemo or a heart transplant.

This site is full of loving parents who have a houseful of celiac children.

Tell your Mom that you've decided the next child will be muslim and therefore pork free or that the next baby will have different parents! Don't explain, just let her think about it.

[Leslielu]

Thank you guys for responding and for your positive input. It's nice to here what other people think. I think more than anything what is bothering me is my consciouns(sp?).

My mother-in-law (celiac)had the same reaction as you guys. She said it would be different if it was like some sort of birth defect or something severe that didn't have a cure.

My mom is just using this as an excuse for telling me she doesn't think I should have another baby cause she worries about everything. She always tells me you know it'll be easier to just have one.

Whatever...now she has given me a complex about this.... You guys are right, it's not that big of a deal my son is now 18 months old and will never know the difference it won't bother him at all-he'll be healthier

[CeliacMom2008]

It is completely you and your husband's decision. I wouldn't let the fear of having another child with Celiac affect your decision. I will say that I think your mom is right that having one is easier. But that's not just with Celiac in the mix. We have one child and I admit frequently that we have it pretty easy. It's much easier to stay dialed in to one kid, to help one kid with homework, to shuttle one kid to extra-curricular events, and yes, with a child with Celiac it is much easier to be able to provide gluten free treats at school, gluten free parties, etc. with just one; but it's just a fact that more kids take more time - in every aspect of life. With or without Celiac.

But we all know mom's know best and we're not hearing her side. If you almost died in childbirth and your doctor told you additional kids would be very risky or you can barely make ends meet and another kid will put you in the poor house or something else that has your mom justifiably worried, then you might want to listen to her...

[karenhockley]

I feel for situation. I have celiac and quite a bit of my side of the family has celiac. I have 3 children (2,4 and 6)and one of them is showing symptoms of celiac. Follow your heart, if you want another have another. I'd have a house full if I could The family is mostly gluten free but I do know that my kids eat healthier than their friends and it has a lot to do with the gluten-free diet. Yes when it's time for you children to go to school you may have a few obstacles than other parents but you can handle it, I believe your given what you can handle. Good luck and don't worry so much.

[Nancy LC]

Seems to me being a celiac in a family of people with gluten issues wouldn't be so bad. At least everyone around you would be eating the way you need to eat. They'd grow up understanding why they can't eat gluten and wouldn't miss it. I didn't give up gluten until my 40's and it really hasn't been a hardship. I suspect I'm a lot healthier than non-celiacs eating gluten.

[sandsurfgirl]

Celiac isn't a death sentence. And honestly even if something more serious ran in the family, there is no way of telling what your child will or won't have. If you want another child, have another child. I can't believe your mom is meddling in something so personal as the decision about whether or not to have more kids. That's between you and your husband.

Every family has genetic weaknesses. That's just life, until we all become clones or genetically engineered, but then we'll probably all die from no immune system or something weird like that.