Hello concerned,

Sorry for the delay in responding.  I had searched for the statistics and couldn't immediately find them.

My answer to you is, not everyone who develops schizophrenia has a chronic form, and the earlier the person gets in treatment with medication, the better the outcome.

I know at least two people diagnosed with schizophrenia who have had children.  One woman has a healthy daughter.  The man has a daughter who developed bipolar, yet she has had a full and productive life.

I am sorry that your brother's schizophrenia has devasted your family.  From what you've said, it appears he isn't doing well, so I hope he is able to find some relief with medication and support, if not with therapy as an add-on treatment.

My final suggestion is that you educate yourself about the early warning signs, and should you suspect something is out of line, take your son or daughter in for treatment immediately.

The statistics are out there, yet I wouldn't go by what a statistic says, because it's enitrely possible you will raise a healthy child.  I wouldn't allow your worries to take over at this point, because your goal is to have a healthy pregnancy and there is some suggestion I've heard that a baby picks up on things in the womb. 

So when your child is born, continue to focus on giving your child love, and telling that child at every opportunity that you love him or her.

Regards,

cb