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Haemophilia and you

Starting a family with haemophilia

Short guide for people who are thinking about parenthood

Haemophilia is an inherited disorder, meaning that it is a genetic condition whereby parents pass the haemophilia gene on to their children. This guide is for carriers and people with haemophilia as they think about parenthood and starting a family.

For men and women living with haemophilia and women who are carriers, consulting with a human geneticist well in advance of a pregnancy will provide you with valuable information about your genetic makeup.1 

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Preparation gives you the best chance

Involving your physician or haemophilia healthcare team from the start will ensure all the necessary steps are taken for a successful pregnancy and birth.2

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Thinking about a future family

For males, haemophilia usually results from inheriting the haemophilia gene from their mother, who is a carrier. After birth, a pediatric specialist at the nearest hemophilia treatment center should evaluate the newborn. For women who may carry the haemophilia gene, genetic counseling prior to family planning is recommended to assess potential risks.2,3

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Growing up with haemophilia

With modern treatment, most children with haemophilia can grow up to lead full, active lives.4 What’s important to remember is that children get used to their condition. The key thing to remember is that with proper care and effective treatment, children with haemophilia can live perfectly healthy lives.5 

The hereditary transmission of haemophilia3

The father has haemophilia, the mother is healthy. 
Sons: healthy 
Daughters: carriers 

The father has haemophilia, the mother is a carrier. 
Sons: 50% chance of having haemophilia 
Daughters: will be carriers and have 50% chance of having haemophilia 

The father is healthy, the mother is a carrier. 
Sons: 50% chance of having haemophilia 
Daughters: 50% chance of being carriers 

  1. World Federation of Hemophilia: Genetic Counselling for Hemophilia (Revised edition 2015).
  2. Srivastava A, et al. Haemophilia. 2020;00:1–158.
  3. Canadian Hemophilia Society. Heredity of hemophilia. (v1.0).
  4. Canadian Hemophilia Society. How serious is hemophilia (v1.0).
  5. World Federation of Hemophilia. Introduction to hemophilia: Treatment (v1.0). 

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NP-40106 created January 2025