Hi everyone. I was dating a Navy Sailor and he mentioned that he may have GWS. I just found out that I am pregnant, and I am wondering if this will or can affect my child. As I have read, I am assuming so. Does anyone know of the kind of tests I could have my doctor's check for?? Or does anyone have any information that could be useful?? He isn't much help since they just keep telling him at the VA Hospital that GWS doesn't exist. I have tried contacting doctor's from the VA Hospitals who specialize in this field, but to no avail will any one talk to me. I am scared and worried. Just thought someone could help me out. Thanks for your time.

Do not be scared ,me and my wife have had two children and both healthy.We have lost one in a miss carrage which was a few years back .My wife is now pregant now and the baby seems fine she is on her third month and everything seems to be ok.When we lost our first baby my wife kept blamming the dentist ,but I blame my self due to my illness being more in the advance stage .My prayers are with you and do not be scared ,I am ex-navy my self.My exposer was due to the vaccines since I was nowhere near the gulf.So just hang in there and try not to stress your self out to much Take it easy and be not scared You will have a healthy baby just remember that.
Mark A
USN

I am the one that got stuck going to the Gulf War and not my husband. We have two sons that are healthy and happy. They do have some problems, but I am not sure if it is from me or not. My oldest son (11) has ADD and my youngest son (4) has asmatha. I am the one that gets all of the problems. If I can leave that way I will because I would rather have them than my children. You will cause more damage to your child by stressing yourself out. The best thing you can do is follow your doctors advice to the letter and keep your self healthy, your child will be okay. Gulf war Mom of 2.

Hi - hope your pregnancy is going well...and congratulations.

I just want to say that my husband has a lot of the symptoms of GWS - but has never been prof. diagnosed.

After reading all the info I can get my hands on - I can see why you are worried. I had an unexplained miscarriage then became pg with my oldest son who is now 7. Other than unexplained pre-term delivery, he was born perfectly healthy. My second son, now 5, had seizures as an infant and no explanation was ever found. He was also born with two heart defects, an ASD and a VSD...both of which healed on their own with no intervention. My daughter was born in 2000, and also has seizures, with no explanation ever given to us. We often wonder if it could possibly be GWS related, but of'course, no one in the medical prof. will speculate.

Anyways - one problem that I have seen recurrent in the offspring of GWS survivors, are heart defects. While pg with my 3rd child, my OB/GYN did agree to a fetal echocardiogram, which is basically a level II ultrasound of the baby's heart. I was told if my daughter was going to have the same defects as my middle son, this test would show it. Luckily, she did not.

In your shoes, I would feel privileged to have the foresight to look for these types of problems. I would educate myself, and calmly bring your concerns to the attention of your doctor. Request a level II ultrasound, have the AFP test, or even an amnio if your dr. offers. Being prepared will always put you one step ahead.

Hugs to you - and I hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy which ends in a perfect healthy child.

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Kim C.
Loving mom to Logan (7yrs), Luke (5yrs), & Sierra (2yrs)

My wife and i have had 3 perfectly healthy children since 97,keep your chin up and you will both be fine.

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Michael L. Albers
Scout us army