Nuchal Translucency Testing? . . . for Downs syndrome . . .?

Question

If you can find where this test is available, and you test positive, would you seek to abort the fetus? or accept the burden of producing/raising a defective child?

CNN news - 1/1/07 . . .
About one in 800 babies has Down syndrome, a condition where having an extra chromosome causes mental retardation, a characteristic broad, flat face and small head and, often, serious heart defects.

Julie -
When you teach your son to "not judge others", practice what you preach?

Some of us (myself included) who HAVE produced/raised 'defective' humans, speak from a place of knowing. . .not self-righteous, pompous palaces!

antiquated? you say? Try brutally honest - and beyond needing to reside in the land of 'denial' - with phrases such as . . . 'challenged', 'special needs', etc.

Humans ARE born with horrible deformities - and I feel sorry for those parents who were not able to make an informed decision - before they watched/felt society injure their 'less than perfect' offspring with sanctions and separations, callousness and cruelty.

Teach your son that there are more ways to view reality (that are just as valid), beyond your own myopic view . . .

Answer 1

I would like to think I would keep the baby, because no matter what, it is still something I would have created, hopefully, out of love. I see many Downs Syndrome people around, and many of them live very fulfilling lives, but then, also, I know in extreme cases, it can be a very harsh life. I think it is really something you would have to live through, before you can make the decision. I would hate to think I could abort any unborn child, but until a person is in that position, I think it is too difficult to know what you would do. I hope to God I never have to make such a decision, but if I do, I hope God would give me the strength to keep that baby, and love it as any other of my children.

Answer 2

I would let life take its course. I don't see a child with Down's syndrome as defective, but if a mother finds out her baby has Down's syndrome and now thinks of the baby as defective, I'd say definitely don't keep him/her. But don't kill the baby; if the baby's meant to die, s/he will; it's not up to the mother. The mother should have the baby put up for adoption, for the reason of him/her being handicapped, and find the right family to give this child the best future s/he can have.

Answer 3

Down Syndrome children are on average the most loving and cuddly and perfect children you could ask for. The majority of them live independant of their parents as adults.

Obviously you've made up your mind you want a child and you've cared about this one otherwise you would not have paid for the testing. Did the blood testing also conclude to Down's?

You're at a high risk of creating another wonderful child with Down's.

There is nothing wrong with your child, its just different from you. Would you have an abortion if you found out it was a boy and you wanted a girl?

Don't deny a life you wanted because it doesn't fit your ideals.

Answer 4

I am the mom to a son who happens to have DS. and I knew it when I was 5 months pregnant, and I also knew he had a congenital heart defect called av-canal that would need to be repaired when he was an infant. I also was given the option of abortion, but chose not to. I chose a different path of motherhood, it isn't a burden, but rather a delight! I am not going to say it is easy, because it isn't, but what part of motherhood is easy?
my son has an extra chromosome...he isn't defective! he is a sweet loving little boy, it may take him a bit longer to accomplish his goals, but believe me he does accomplish them! and even has a few tricks of his own.
your last statement "or accept the burden of producing/raising a defect child" is to say the very least antiquated. it kind of reminds me of the early part of the 20th century where kids with DS were institutionalized for no reason other than the fact they looked "mongoloid" and were considered retarded. people were ignorant, and did not realize that people with DS can and most certainly do live full lives...they work, some live on their own and so on.
it is no more a burden raising a child with DS than it is raising a "normal" child, and in a lot of ways it is more fulfilling, because you know the obstacles your child will have to overcome, not only physically and mentally, but from narrow minded people who catagorize individuals based on syndromes or what they look like rather than who they are. My son is being raised to be a productive member of society, but more importantly he is being taught not to judge others before getting to know them.

Answer 5

By the time this test is able to be used you have already come to terms with the pregnancy and should already love the child.
A child is a child. They're all different.
Accepting this is part of being an adult.
This is one of the reasons I think all of these pre-natal tests can be bad. At a time when you most need to be calm and relaxed you are being bombarded with what-ifs and fears.
They do have their place. I'm just not sure where that place is for the average woman.

Answer 6

I am a worker with children with autism and/or downs.... Me personaly, it would depend on the support system i had. if it was just me, i would abort, if i had family and the babys daddy, i would keep it. I would also find out what resourses are available in my area, and begin networking before the baby is born so when the baby is there, the supports are there also!

Answer 7

Down's Syndrome does not mean the child is defective. People with handicaps are differently-abled and can be very productive people if given the opportunites.

Answer 8

I would keep it, it's still your baby, no matter whats wrong with it you'll still love it

Answer 9

in the ultrasound, anything under 3 ml (or mm??) is considered normal...the less fluid the better...