Deciding to get the kids tested

Many people with Factor V decide not to get their children tested until "there is a reason to". Most say they will test when their children are getting ready to have children or when their daughters are getting on birth control. Most people are afraid of their children being denied life or health insurance with a FVL diagnosis on their medical records.

Personally, I chose to have my children tested. I simply felt like I needed to know. I didn't make a choice to have children knowing I had Factor V Leiden. I wasn't prepared for this. I just couldn't live with not knowing. We also consulted our pediatrician and she recommended we test the kids in case of head trauma or any emergency surgeries that may come up which we agreed was important. We got the results after Christmas and I was honestly crushed. Two out of three of our children have Factor V Leiden. I was especially upset that my daughter has it. I have done the research and know what this could mean for her if she ever decides to have children. I know I was very lucky with my pregnancies and know she could not be as lucky. I don't want her to have to go through the pain of losing a baby especially in the second or third trimester. I don't want her to have a placental abruption that kills her and the baby or any of the other many problems she could face with pregnancy. I am also scared for my son's future as well. I know we made the best decision for our family and our children in finding out. I feel we can better protect them knowing they have FVL now opposed to later.

I am very thankful that at least one of my children does not have this disorder. Do I wish none of them had it? Of course. But I will take one without any day over none without. I am actually very relieved this particular son of ours doesn't have it because he is a wild animal and one of these days he is going to end up breaking a bone or needing to go to the emergency room and FVL will be one less thing we have to worry about when taking him in.