Content Tagged: genetic ties

1st May 2015

My husband recently found out that he likely won’t be able to have a genetic child because of poor quality sperm. I can tell that he’s hurting and disappointed, but he won’t talk to me about it. How do I support him after this loss?

Written by our mental health expert, Dr. Karen Kranz, Registered Psychologist. It may help to understand that like many men, your husband is likely trying to cope with this loss by not talking. Many people, when deeply hurt, withdraw from others because they either have not had the experience of being supported when in pain, […]

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3rd January 2014

My partner, Peter and I are a gay couple who used an egg donor and gestational carrier to have a baby. After some discussion, we decided that we would use Peter’s sperm given that he’s younger than I am. I thought that I would be fine with it, but now that our gestational carrier is pregnant, it all seems more real. Now I’m worried that once the baby is born, Peter and the baby will bond because they are genetically related, and I won’t because we don’t share any genes. Are my worries justified? What should I do?

Written by our mental health expert, Dr. Karen Kranz, Registered Psychologist. You and Peter are building your family in a unique and creative way. You are both learning as you take each step along this path. It is normal that worries and concerns emerge as you proceed particularly given that Peter will be biologically related […]

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30th August 2013

My mother recently asked me to be an egg donor for her best friend – a woman who has been like a second mother to me. She and her new partner desperately want to have a child, but she’s been told her eggs are too old. I’d love to help her and know she’d be a fabulous mom. But I’m 23 and in school, and I’m feeling overwhelmed by the decision. What should I do?

This month’s Ask an Expert question has been answered by our site creator, Dr. Judith Daniluk, a leading researcher and counsellor in the field of women’s sexuality and reproductive health. Learn more about Dr. Daniluk here.   It is understandable that you feel a bit like you’re between a rock and a hard place over this request. Clearly you […]

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15th March 2013

My husband and I want to have a baby, but we’re scared of passing on a disease/genetic mutation. What are our options?

Principally, that depends on what particular genetic disease or mutation you have or are at risk of having. A genetic disorder is a disease that is caused by an abnormality in an individual’s DNA. Abnormalities can range from a small mutation or error in a single gene to the addition or subtraction of an entire […]

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