Can I Terminate a Pregnancy if My Baby Has Downsyndrome
Zoey O'Hehir does not know how she remained composed in front of the students she was teaching, just the phone call she received will stay with her forever.
Key points:
- Down Syndrome Australia (DSA) surveyed 320 parents of children with the condition
- It found most half of families reported feeling pressured past healthcare providers to terminate their pregnancy
- In Australia, 90 per cent of pregnancies are terminated if Downwards syndrome is detected, DSA says
In the middle of class, the expectant female parent was told her unborn child had tested positive for Down's syndrome.
And the doc said he had booked Ms O'Hehir in for a termination.
"Information technology was very scary and just the mention of termination struck a nerve," Ms O'Hehir said.
"Before I could say anything, before I could process anything or even breathe [he'd scheduled the termination]."
Ms O'Hehir and her husband, Jake, both now 28, had been trying for a babe for three years.
Afterward receiving the prenatal results, they met with their doctor and were given a Downward syndrome fact canvas but said the care in the weeks following was "minimal" and "side by side to nothing".
The couple, from regional New South Wales, were told to "expect the worst" and given three outcomes for their baby with Down's syndrome: lifelong dialysis treatment, stillborn or neonatal death.
They decided to proceed with the pregnancy and their daughter, Arlee, is now seven months old and lives with Downward syndrome.
Ms O'Hehir said she was meeting all her milestones and had exceeded everyone'southward expectations.
"She's amazing and has brought then much happiness to our life," Ms O'Hehir said.
"She may have a little chip of low muscle tone, which comes with Down's syndrome, but other than that she's honestly just similar a normal baby."
Enquiry has revealed Ms O'Hehir was not solitary in her experience of feeling pressured to have a termination.
'Shocking' survey shows pressures faced by parents
Down's syndrome Australia (DSA) said half of new parents faced discrimination and neglect from medical professionals during and after prenatal screenings.
DSA chief executive Ellen Skladzien, who led the research, said the results were "shocking" and revealed a system that was not working.
"To hear families being repeatedly asked most termination and non supported in their decision [to proceed with the pregnancy] is a case of neglect," Dr Skladzien said.
"Nosotros heard about doctors who told families that their child would have a lifetime of suffering or that they would never achieve anything."
The survey of 320 parents who accept a kid under the age of 10 with Down's syndrome, was washed over July and August.
Dr Skladzien said it was time for change in the preparation of doctors.
"Getting access to balanced, expert information should no longer be the exception. Information technology should be the norm," Dr Skladzien said.
"Nosotros know doctors aren't trying to do the incorrect affair, they just need more back up."
Down's syndrome Australia is using the research results to make a submission to the disability royal commission about prenatal screening.
In Australia, it is estimated that when prenatal screenings detected Down syndrome, 90 per cent of pregnancies were terminated.
Dr Skladzien said access to data and support services was a vital part of the controlling process.
"Parents also need connectedness to other families who have children with Downwards syndrome and, regardless of what decision they brand about their pregnancy, that decision needs to be respected."
In a statement, the Royal Australian and New Zealand Higher of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) best-selling that the mode a Down syndrome diagnosis was communicated influenced parents' choices.
Information technology said results should be given in a style that helped parents understand their options, including connecting them with resources and support organisations.
RANZCOG applauded the efforts of advocates to change the manner the public thinks almost Down's syndrome, saying that "any underlying social bias or discrimination" needed to exist discussed by the community.
'He has completed our family unit'
Queensland mother Julia Laine was significant with her second kid when a 20-week scan revealed her unborn son had a heart status and, probably, Down syndrome.
"We were in shock," Ms Laine said. "Nosotros were sitting alone in the room, merely in complete atheism, because we didn't call up anything along those lines. We just thought we were going to come across a salubrious little baby."
An amniocentesis confirmed the Down syndrome diagnosis and they met with doctors.
"The doctor said, 'Nosotros tin fix your son'south eye but there'due south no style we'll ever be able to fix the fact your son has Downward syndrome'," Ms Laine said.
"It was pretty traumatic because I didn't care if he had Downward syndrome — if his heart could be fixed, then he was worthy of life."
Ms Laine said they were told their child would be a "massive burden" and might "destroy" their marriage.
"Information technology was completely awful and biased information that was given to the states," Ms Laine said.
She said that in her view, "They didn't think his life was worthy. I couldn't believe I was hearing that from someone who was a doctor and supposed to be providing care to us."
Their son, Grayson, is now iii and an energetic and cheeky toddler.
"He has completed our family unit and I couldn't imagine our lives without him."
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Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-08/pressure-mothers-feel-about-babies-with-down-syndrome/100521094
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