tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5509367763483360241.post4259776759465164093..comments2023-10-16T08:14:57.875-04:00Comments on Everyday Adventures: Thoughts on prenatal testing...danettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555927841950877805noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5509367763483360241.post-30541970832754364752008-09-09T00:30:00.000-04:002008-09-09T00:30:00.000-04:00I am the mother of a one year old daughter with DS...I am the mother of a one year old daughter with DS. We found out ahead of time, I failed the initial blood test although Sydney passed the nuchial fold sonogram. We opted for the 24 point sonogram which she again passed with no DS markers. I really had a feeling, so we opted for the amnio and sure enough she was positive for DS. I am one of those who was glad to know. We prepared ourselves and our family and friends. Sydney's birth was nothing but joy (outside of the medical issues). BUT, having said that, the 90% abortion rate is out there and awful. There are a bunch of us who are actively working with our local DS associations to get the medical profession to give a balanced approach to the diagnosis and not just list grim statistics. Thank you for blogging about this. I think your point on "What if" testing went on to other things like autism, you wouldn't want to be in that world was spot on. For all of our kids sake, I hope no more "pre-natal" testing gets created until our world becomes more educated and accepting.Jeanettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12378780987070152860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5509367763483360241.post-89876601327081686062008-09-08T01:16:00.000-04:002008-09-08T01:16:00.000-04:00Melody - It's hard to believe anyone would say thi...Melody - It's hard to believe anyone would say things like that, how awful!<BR/><BR/>Debbie - excellent point about the rate of false positives, thanks for bringing that up! You didn't ambush, I appreciate your insights!<BR/><BR/>Thanks everyone for your comments and kind words.danettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15555927841950877805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5509367763483360241.post-58509802876891268582008-09-06T22:49:00.000-04:002008-09-06T22:49:00.000-04:00I have a beautiful 3 year old daughter with Down s...I have a beautiful 3 year old daughter with Down syndrome. One thing you didn't mention is the high rate of false results. How many of those children that are terminated did not have Ds? Personally we did not have the test and I was 35. The increased risk raises as you get older simply because of your age. My doctor did not push the blood test. When I said termination was not an option he said then don't do it. <BR/><BR/>I have met many parents that were glad they knew ahead of time so they could prepare and research. Personally, I didn't want to worry about the remainder of my pregnancy. So, we got the crash course. 24 hours after our daughter was born we learned she had Ds. The first thing I wanted to do was hold my baby girl. For me, that was comforting and I wouldn't have been able to do that if I found out when I was pregant. <BR/><BR/>I don't mind the testing, it's the pushing of so many doctors to terminate. They look at the diagnosis on paper. Sure it's scary there, but you need to research the person. I wish more information was given to parents on the joys of raising these children. I know several people that lost their children at a young age due to medical problems. They would rather have had their child for a few months than not at all. Some have considered adopting a child with Down syndrome.<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry to ambush your blog. I appreciate everything you said. It helps to hear it from someone who does not have a child with Down syndrome. Thank you!Debbie @ Three Weddingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11778199494515694006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5509367763483360241.post-20393709491961895812008-09-06T21:00:00.000-04:002008-09-06T21:00:00.000-04:00I get so sad when I hear things like this. I am a...I get so sad when I hear things like this. I am amazed that the numbers of aborted children with down syndrome are so high. I will never judge another person by this, because their actions are their own, but I know I could not do that. I didn't have any testing done while I was pregnant with my son, because I knew I would love him regardless. To me, it is morally wrong to pick and choose my children by their medical conditions.Penelopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01839588124708882856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5509367763483360241.post-49848336089946521492008-09-06T20:57:00.000-04:002008-09-06T20:57:00.000-04:00Thanks for this post! I admire you so much for wri...Thanks for this post! I admire you so much for writing about this. I also wonder about the inaccuracies of prenatal testing - how many people are rushing to abort their babies just because there is an "increased risk." Regardless, it's heartbreaking to think about, and I agree that once there is prenatal testing for autism we will see the same thing that has happened with Downs... makes me want to weep. I truly pray for that this country will somehow wake up. Thanks again, Danette.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5509367763483360241.post-54771469728490281102008-09-06T16:38:00.000-04:002008-09-06T16:38:00.000-04:00Wow. Someone needed to say this.As a child of a y...Wow. Someone needed to say this.<BR/><BR/>As a child of a young mother who was extremely pushed to have an abortion (meaning, driven to a Planned Parenthood appointment) - and a person with a disability (profoundly deaf), I am saddened that people will use these reasons to do away with an inconvenient life.<BR/><BR/>Every child has special needs, every child needs love. I'm sure you cannot imagine your life without your little ones - what blessings!<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your thoughts.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12112453369738198010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5509367763483360241.post-60117902452303286512008-09-06T15:55:00.000-04:002008-09-06T15:55:00.000-04:00Those of us with special needs children would not ...Those of us with special needs children would not change it for the world. I believe that God does not make mistakes and gives us our children with a purpose in mind. My life is so much enriched because I have been blessed with my special angel. It has NOT been easy, don't get me wrong but she is a blessing to me and every member of our family. <BR/><BR/>I appreciated this post and God bless you!<BR/><BR/>MarciaHDMachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18143268594835639142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5509367763483360241.post-6665527773083757772008-09-06T12:06:00.000-04:002008-09-06T12:06:00.000-04:00Excellent post. People even say to me about Lee......Excellent post. <BR/><BR/>People even say to me about Lee..."I bet if you had known what his extreme behavioral difficulties would be later in life you would never have adopted him." or "I bet you would like to have given him back." Lee was my child the first time I laid eyes on him...end of story.<BR/><BR/>All of this testing makes me want to ask will it one day be "ok" to murder a child who has already been born but whose needs were not recognizable before birth? Scary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5509367763483360241.post-51183238299696770982008-09-06T11:33:00.000-04:002008-09-06T11:33:00.000-04:00Dianna - thanks for your comment, I completely agr...Dianna - thanks for your comment, I completely agree!danettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15555927841950877805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5509367763483360241.post-29403956934307739622008-09-06T08:22:00.000-04:002008-09-06T08:22:00.000-04:00It is sad that so many babies with Down Syndrome n...It is sad that so many babies with Down Syndrome never get to experiencing life. It is heart breaking. My brother and my brother-in-law have Down Syndrome. For me, I did none of the testing that was recommended during the pregnancy, no matter when the babies were born we would love them, cherish them and have no regrets. Every child deserves life.Diannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07008087446496295632noreply@blogger.com