A prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome - now what?Dealing with a Prenatal Diagnosis of Down SyndromeIf you have received a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome for your baby (or even an increased chance of the baby having it) you are likely on an emotional rollercoaster. How will you cope with the waiting, how will you cope with a special needs child, what about the baby's siblings, relatives...and on, and on it goes. You never thought it woud happen to you. But it did. Now what are you going to do?Before you make any decisions, find someone who has a child with Down Syndrome. (preferably someone who had a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome so they can share their story with you) Talk to them. Ask your obstetrician for a referral if you can't find anyone. Go online ( I assume since you are reading this you have access to the internet) and research some more - don't just stop here. I will include links to other great sites about Down Syndrome (including others dealing with prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome) further down. Did you know there are people who are waiting to adopt children with Down Syndrome? Having a child with Down Syndrome is such a blessing. We have learned so much from our Sammy, imagine that, he's teaching us! More on that later too.
At first it was a little difficult because I was hanging on to denial for dear life! When I finally stopped denying, I realized that he really was not so different from my other children (except for the fact that he slept through the night from the day we brought him home, when he was 11 days old, yay!!!).
Each baby born with Down Syndrome is a baby first and foremost. People with Down Syndrome are much more like their peers than different from them. Your baby will bear resemblances to you, your husband, other family members. Your baby will surprise and delight you! There is much good that comes from having a child who happens to have Down Syndrome. Just as there is much good that comes from having a child who has "Red Hair Syndrome". "Think of all the extra time and effort we will have to spend, the extra education," you say. Hmmm. That delightful little baby with "Red Hair Syndrome" may need extra attention too. She will likely have fair skin (uh-oh, skin problems, sunblock, dermatologists) a temper (think anger management) hair issues (lots of trips to the beauty shop) and who knows what else comes along with being a redhead. I have also read that red heads have lower pain thresholds, so you'd better start buying up stock in your choice of over-the-counter pain relievers. Okay so some that is purely made up (not the part about the skin or pain thresholds though), but you get the picture. Every child is unique, and every child deserves the opportunity to achieve to his or her fullest potential. Every child will bring love and wonder and laughter and tears into your life, as well as frustrations and difficulties, no matter what 'syndrome' they happen to have. Please, take the time and initiative to find out as much as possible about Down Syndrome before you make any decisions. When you receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome you may be pressured by others to quickly have an abortion. I beg you, think about it. Who can make such a huge decision rationally in a matter of a week or so?
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