I was born with a cleft lip and palate and was adopted. Have no medical history and want to have a baby, Help?

Question

What should I do to get my medical history?

Answer 1

A genetics counselor CAN give you an estimate of the risk of your passing this on (a percentile chance based on your having had it plus the approximate chances depending on whether it exists in your birth relatives or not). The chances of passing it on are probably less than 10%, even lower with excellent diet.

Yes, there IS a hereditary component to this birth defect and can be related to diet and environment; but it can also appear in families with no prior history of clefts, and from well-nurished mothers.

I gave birth to a son with a cleft. There is no history of clefts on either side, but I had a different birth defect myself which falls into the group called "midline defects" which means the baby fails to "zip up" properly as it comes together in the middle.

All midline defects (including clefts) are less likely if the mother gets lots of FOLIC ACID in the 3 months leading up to and first couple months of pregnancy. This is in prenatal vitamins and some foods. If a woman has already birthed a baby with a midline defect, she can get a high dose prescription of folic acid from a doctor (higher than what you can find over-the-counter) for subsequent pregnancies. Ask your doctor if that is appropriate for someone who's HAD this.

Whether or not you can find your family medical history is beyond this forum (some adoptees can, some can't), but I hope the info I gave you will help either way.

Best wishes!!

Answer 2

just because you had a cleft lip or palate doesnt mean you will carry it on to your child. it isnt inherited. and for your medical history. your adopted parents should have gotten your whole complete medical history of your parents while in the process of the adoption. it is required in any adoption so they will know of any complications that may or will occur. Good luck in having a baby. I wish you the best. and by the way I was adopted... but your adoption may be different from mine. I was adopted into the same family. best of wishes to you

Answer 3

You may not be able to. Your parents should know if it was a closed adoption or not and if/how you can get that info. Sometimes you can get info from the adoption agency but may be limited to what your birth mother knew and was willing to disclose.

Don't worry about the cleft lip - they are usually not passed on. If you had no other health problems I would say you are fine to have a baby.

Answer 4

Try finding your birth parents. Talk to your doctor and ask questions I dont believe your babies will be born with a cleft palate. Good Luck

Answer 5

If you are worried about the baby having the cleft lip, talk with a doctor about the risks. I really don't think that it's hereditary, I think it's just a birth defect. If you are otherwise healthy, I think you'd be find to have a baby.

Answer 6

See a specialist. In spite of what some have said here I have heard it can be hereditary. There are degrees of it. Sometimes it can just look like a space between the front teeth. Let a Dr. help you.

Answer 7

If you know the agency your parents wen through contact them and see if there is any way to receive medical history from your birth parents

Answer 8

talk with your parents if at all possible about your needs and tell them why you are concerned... you can do a search on here for your state laws about open adoption papers... most times med records are ok to open if there are major birth defects involved... i wish you luck.... God bless

Answer 9

if you can afford it try to do some dna testing on yourself, maybe that way the docs can find a gene on that.