im getting a level 2 ultrasound monday?

Question

and if the results are that my child has down syndrome i don't know if I can handle it. I have discussed things with my partner and we are not sure what we should do. We have discussed that adoption might be the answer. We both know how much it's going cost, medically and emotionally. And we definetly don't have the cost. I need some inputs. Possibly with other people that have gone through the same situation? This is a sensitive subject so please don't answer rudely. Thanks in advance.

they want to do a level 2 because my HCG levels are high. this is also my second child and my first one is normal and healthy and i love her to pieces. It's just that im a young mother and it's not that i want my freedom etc. I just know a family that has a down syndrome child and it ruined there family.

Answer 1

I understand your nervousness, but I can tell you that as a mother of a 2 1/2 year old son with Down syndrome, I cannot imagine life without him. He has brought us so much love and happiness. Yes, there were some medical considerations, but by law (federal law) therapy and early intervention services must be given to the child at little or no cost to the family. After age 3, the school district provides services. Our son has not been a burden at all...in fact, when I compare him to his "typically developing" peers, I'd say we won the lottery!!

Having said that, if you truly feel you could not handle it, then I applaud you for considering adoption and not termination. Let me tell you, there is quite a waiting list to adopt children with Down syndrome. That may surprise you, but I know many families who have adopted and are waiting to adopt and they specifically want a child with Down syndrome. I hope that if you decide you are incapable of raising this child that you will allow another family to love and raise him or her. These children can and will do most everything that any other child does...it just may take a bit longer. They grow up, graduate school, get jobs, some drive, some marry.... there is no limit to what they can achieve when they are allowed to do so.

I would like to invite you to visit http://www.downsyn.com/
there is information and a forum there which may help you.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Are you having the level 2 ultrasound because of the triple screen blood work? I had the test done and it came back that our baby could possibly have down syndrome and some other chromosome disorders. I stayed constantly stressed from 17 weeks pregnant until the end and did alot of research on chromosome disorders. I had a level 2 done twice and they still couldn't tell us the baby did not have downs or trisomy 18. We were also told that the baby had a choroid plexus cyst on his brain which is also an indicator of chromosome disorders, but they did not tell us that this is also found in most healthy fetus' also. At the ultrasound they will offer you an amnio, that will tell you for sure if the baby has down syndrome. We did not get the amnio, because we decided to keep the baby no matter what so they couldn't say that our baby was OK. I delivered a very healthy baby boy in September. Please don't get yourself stressed if you had the blood work done and that's why you are having the ultrasound, I have talked to alot of people that have gone through the same thing because of that blood test and all of their babies were born healthy too!Good luck!

Answer 3

This is a really tough thing......did you have any other testing before this, like CVS or amniocentesis? Either one of those would tell you whether or not your baby would have Downs. I'm not sure that they can tell from a Level 2 if the baby has downs. There are certain indications that might lead them to suspect Downs, but I'm not sure they are absolutely accurate. You might talk to your doctor about that. I know I worried about this sooo much when I was pregnant w/twins. We'd tried for so long, and I was worried that amnio would cause me to miscarry. We went for the amnio but they did an ultrasound first. The minute I saw those babies on ultrasound, I melted and thought I want those babies no matter what....what an unbelievable gift...Now that's just my experience, but what I'm saying is don't stress too much about what you have no control over. Wait until you see the baby and see what the doctor says about the ultrasound. There is a lot that they can tell on a Level 2 and if they are suspicious, they can do more testing. But take it as it comes, and try not to worry about every conceivable circumstances. Take in information as it comes, talk with your partner, listen to your heart. You'll know what to do.

Answer 4

This is a difficult situation. I had to have a schedule II ultrasound also, but for different reasons. At my sons first ultrasound 1 of his kidneys was dilated and they saw chorroid plexus cysts, in his skull. The cysts usually are harmless (they are spinal fluid that has been pushed into the brain cavity) but can be markers for downs as well as trisomy 18, a genetic disorder that will usually result in death before you reach full term.

My son had neither now he is a beautiful active 3 year old. However having been faced with the decision of "what to do if" ourselves, after many days of tears between the first and the second ultrasound, we decided to put it in Gods hands. I said if it is meant to be it will be. If he has problems he will still be half of me, & how can I give someone that is half of me and half of my loving husband, away. And think that someone else will do a better job. Had he had trisomy 18 they would have asked me if I wanted to terminate since, he probably wouldn't have survived the pregnancy, but we decided should we have to make a decision we would keep the pregnancy as long as we could so long as it didn't risk my life.

We were so fortunate to not have to actually face any of those decisions. You may find that everything is okay, & you wont either. But if you do, think about it from the child’s standpoint. When s/he is older if they found out they were adopted, because you didn't want a child with problems, because you couldn't be bothered, how would you feel to know that your parents thought you such a burden? You can choose not to let it ruin your family and see it as a celebration of needing each other even more!? As a situation to go above & beyond of what you should have to! It is your decision, ultimately but you should look at it fairly from every standpoint before you make a decision about someone else’s life!

*** Also you can usually take a blank VHS tape to your high level ultrasound & they will tape it for you to show your friends & family, or just to keep for yourself!

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
im getting a level 2 ultrasound monday?
and if the results are that my child has down syndrome i don't know if I can handle it. I have discussed things with my partner and we are not sure what we should do. We have discussed that adoption might be the answer. We both know how much it's going cost, medically and emotionally. And...

Answer 6

I was 35 when I was pregnant with my first. Because of my age, my Dr recommended an amnio. The results came back that the baby had an unidentifiable genetic marker..which could mean that something may be wrong with the baby even though my ultra sounds were normal. My baby just turned a year old and he is absolutely perfect. Just keep in mind that no test is 100% accurate --even the amnio (2 other people I know had "false" amnios as well, so I don't think my case was that rare). It is a stressful situation, but I couldn't imagine not having my baby in my life today.

Answer 7

Why did they want to do the level 2? My obgyn wants to do another ultrasound at 28 weeks because of a decreased head to abdomen circumference ratio. I'm not sure what that means, but whatever happens, I know we'll keep and love this child. My first born is normal and healthy, but I love him so much that I can't explain it. Whatever happens, just know that you will love that child more than you can comprehend.

Answer 8

Downs syndrome babies do not ruin families,they bring families closer together..they need love just as much as other children do...There are wayy too many children out there that are being put up for adoption because there baby has a condition..My little brother is autistic and he is the best thing that happened to my family...He is not expensive,my parents are not poor at all,they both make good money but they get free services from therapists that work with him and other sources such as schooling etc...The only thing they have to provide to him is normal children things such as clothes,shoes food etc...Im not being rude but giving your baby away because she has a disability is selfish,how do u think your baby will feel???

Answer 9

i could only imagine how you feel, i wonder the same thing when i get pregnat what will i do if somthing goes wrong...and i dont know what i would do...but with down syndrom this kids are almost a blessing, they are beautiful inside and out and it seems they keep thier innocence, they make me smile....do some reaserch talk to some people who have children with this problem...do what you think is right...good luck with everything whatever you do will be the right desicion

Answer 10

If it turns out that your child does have down syndrome, there is no reason really to adopt him/her. besides the government will help you out with a check for him/her. i think you can love your child with down syndrome equally as your normal one. but good luck with everything.