The Emotional Aspect of Klinefelter Syndrome
Klinefelter Syndrome is extremely hard for boys. Puberty is difficult enough as it is and with this xxy condition, Tomas has not been enjoying puberty; although what teenager does? Tomas has been developing later than the other boys his age and he has been getting bullied for it. Also, he has told me that he gets bullied for the fact that he has feminine features such as wider hips and breast tissue. It is always extremely hard seeing your child get bullied and depending on how severe it gets, you might want to step in and inform his school of what is going on if he does not have the courage. I personally have done that and it has helped resolve some of the bullying that used to take place and Tomas is much happier now. I think ignorance is the reason for this; kids don't know why he's like this. They just know that he is different. As well, Tomas is very sensitive and insecure when it comes to swimming because he does not want to expose these features that make him different. As a mother, you only wish that your child can get over these hurdles and get past this because at the end of the day it was not his choice to have an extra X chromosome. All of this aside, there is one feature of Klinefelter syndrome that I can not bear the thought of; infertility. The fact that I know that my child will never have the ability to produce children is the singly handedly biggest reason I wish Klinefelter Syndrome did not affect my child. Tomas will never be able to feel the way I felt when I first held him in my arms. I have already started painting a good image for adoption with Tomas. I only hold that adoption can be in his future otherwise not only will he never have children, I will never have grandchildren.
Klinefelter Syndrome is extremely hard for boys. Puberty is difficult enough as it is and with this xxy condition, Tomas has not been enjoying puberty; although what teenager does? Tomas has been developing later than the other boys his age and he has been getting bullied for it. Also, he has told me that he gets bullied for the fact that he has feminine features such as wider hips and breast tissue. It is always extremely hard seeing your child get bullied and depending on how severe it gets, you might want to step in and inform his school of what is going on if he does not have the courage. I personally have done that and it has helped resolve some of the bullying that used to take place and Tomas is much happier now. I think ignorance is the reason for this; kids don't know why he's like this. They just know that he is different. As well, Tomas is very sensitive and insecure when it comes to swimming because he does not want to expose these features that make him different. As a mother, you only wish that your child can get over these hurdles and get past this because at the end of the day it was not his choice to have an extra X chromosome. All of this aside, there is one feature of Klinefelter syndrome that I can not bear the thought of; infertility. The fact that I know that my child will never have the ability to produce children is the singly handedly biggest reason I wish Klinefelter Syndrome did not affect my child. Tomas will never be able to feel the way I felt when I first held him in my arms. I have already started painting a good image for adoption with Tomas. I only hold that adoption can be in his future otherwise not only will he never have children, I will never have grandchildren.
My reaction and what I would do if Kinefelter Syndrome was:
-Discovered EARLY in the pregnancy
If this XXY makeup were to be discovered early in the pregnancy, I would be upset, no doubt about it but I would get over it. Since it is not genetically passed on there really isn't anything I could've done about it- whether choosing the right partner or things of that sort. Personally, I only agree with abortion when I feel like someone is not ready or equipped to be a mother. If you can't take care of someone you are bringing into this world, why do it? Since I am ready for a child, however, abortion would not be an option for me. The XXY syndrome would just be an extra obstacle put on both me and my child that we have to overcome. There are much worse things that can happen to a fetus and children with Klinefelter Syndrome can live a relatively normal adult life.
-Discovered LATE in the pregnancy
Nothing would really differ if I discovered my child had Klinefelter syndrome late in my pregnancy. Any mother would be upset and disappointed if anything was less than perfect concerning her child, especially a first born, but at the end of the day I would not be devastated- what's the point? At that point, abortion is out of the question (although it was always out for me). All I could do is mentally prepare for the challenges that I might endure during the time where I raise my child and support him through-out adulthood. Also, I would do my research. I have to know about what to expect.
-Discovered AFTER birth
Discovering this defect after birth I think would be the worst of all. This is because it would come as a shock. At that point you probably have an image of a perfectly healthy child, if no other problems occur obviously, so if my child were to be diagnosed after birth I would be somewhat devastated to be quite honest. It would definitely NOT in anyway change the way I felt about my child but it might change the way I treated him just because of a better understanding of his mental and physical situation. I would do research to the best of my ability and notify his teachers and anyone who interacts with him on a regular basis. I would do anything to make his life easier because this syndrome has a lot to do with insecurity and depression etc.
Did me and my partner agree on the course of action taken?
Although I have not had proper communication with my partner about this situation, I think that morally, we would agree on the course of action taken. However, if me and my partner were to need to resolve any differences I think communication is key. The person who can back up the action they want to take in order to better the life of our son would definitely get to take that action.