Re: DS babies and Abortion

[Guest guest]

The AFP is only 60% accurate. It's a " why bother " kind of test.

RE: DS babies and Abortion

Also wanted to mention that TESTS CAN be wrong.

From memory and I can't remember the statistics - all of these tests are

not 100% accurate. Probably like 98% accurate but not sure.

So there would be a very small percentage of babies aborted because of a

false result. In reality when a negative result comes back a Dr. should do

a follow up - though I'm not sure if the negative results has something to

do with the testing or the 'make-up' of the mother/child.

Jan, mother of Trent 22yo w/DS from the LandDownUnder

[Guest guest]

Mmmmmmm -= think I replied too soon - what is an AFP? Seems to be a

fairly common pre-natal test you guys have or maybe something that is newer

since I had my kids.

As to the ultrasound diagnosis, according to the Radiologist I worked for it

is extremely hard to diagnosis DS, accuracy would depend on the type/quality

of machine used. Relying on an ultrasound to determine sex the results can

be wrong.

'IF YOU LISTEN TO PARENTS TALK ABOUT THEIR KIDS THEY ARE PERFECT' -

I commonly told everyone MY children were perfect angels, but my husbands

children were fair little horrors !!!!!!!

Keep smiling

Jan, mother of Trent 22yo w/DS from the LandDownUnder

Re: DS babies and Abortion

my afp was neg with sydnie as well.

Re: DS babies and Abortion

Also wanted to mention that TESTS CAN be wrong. I was in contact with

pregnant Mom that was SURE she was going to have a baby with Down

syndrome. All

tests indicated... from what I recall, even the amnio! Mom had a 2 vessel

cord

and was over age 40. She spent the entire pregnancy devastated. She was

looking

for an adoptive home.

Low and behold...........baby girl arrived..........no chromosome issues.

Wonder how many babies are aborted and the tests were wrong? Just breaks

my

heart.

Laurie

[Guest guest]

My triple screen was low..........in fact when we moved and I got me

medical records, I saw it was the lowest score possible to still be

considered in the normal range. I remember the doc telling me it was

low, but still in the normal range and there was no need to do anything

else (I was 34). I am so thankful that they did not suggest other

testing (which was correct, since I was within the normal range and the

ultrasounds liked fine..... no reason to suspect anything), and I had a

great pregnancy, worked until the day before El;izabeth was born, and

had no worries. Much easier (for us) to deal with the diagnosis while

holding a baby in your arms, rather than to have to face the pressures

from the medical community and to some extent, society. Honestly don't

know what we would have done with a prenatal diagnosis, since we were

both so uninformed about DS. Shudder to think about how we would have

dealt with the pressure for the doctors. We were not treated too badly,

but just rather ignored because no one knew what to say. I was

thankfully a bit oblivious the first few hours, but DH was following her

around watching the weighing, measuring, etc. and he knew something was

wrong because no one would talk to him or look him in the eye.... he was

terrified. I do remember the OB saying (after we had been seen by a

wonderful geneticist and got a diagnosis of DS) " I really encourage you

to take her home. " Because I was still in shock, I didn't get the drift

of what she was saying.... I thought she was talking about when we could

go home from the hospital!!!!!! Hit me like a ton of bricks 2 weeks

later...... imagine, someone leaving without their baby because they

just didn't want them!!!!!!!!!

I can certainly say has changed our lives. After working for

10 months, and trying to juggle daycare, Early intervention, etc., I

quit my job (which I had worked years for, getting my Ph.D., doing a

postdoc, etc.) and we moved back to CA to at least be on the same coast

as family. We live a different lifestyle than we did, partly because we

have slowed down a bit ( a good thing!), and partly because we have to

live on one income (an OK thing). We have a 3rd child (who was not in

the original plan..... 2 kids, dog, house in the suburbs, you know), but

I used the geneticist's words against my DH and told " Mr. we agreed on 2

kids " that would do better with a younger sibling.... and

right away :-) We can't imagine our life without Sammy.... we'd be more

relaxed, rested but oh so BORED! Plus, he got a wonderful tomboy to

watch NASCAR and play sports with........ finally a girl that wasn't girly!

But do I regret it? No, not one bit. I think that this is one of the

most important lessons that we can teach our children is that at some

point in your life, you will be thrown a curve, and it's how you deal

with it that's important. Things don't always go the way you plan or

dream about them, but life goes on, and you've got to do whatever is

necessary to make things the best they can be. and Sammy are

incredibly conpassionate, and is already a staunch defender of how

to treat people with disabilities....... she's really trying to take on

" the R word " at the middle school. They are patient, and although both

are incredibly bright and have things come easy to them, they see that

not everyone is so lucky to have things come easily (schoolwork,

friends, tying shoes, buttoning clothes). I myself would have probaby

worked my children's life away because I really loved my career. But, I

have thrown all that energy into kid-centered activities, and now work

as hard as I did before, except for free :-) is writing an essay

for a contest wtih the theme " My Favorite Place " and her favorite place

is anywhere is because of the wonderful effect has

on others.

Our lives are so enriched by having here with us. The

unconditional love she shows to everyone is so amazing, and her sweet

smile could melt the toughest pro-abortion doctor's heart. I cannot

for one minute imagine our life without her. I know that even with the

best, positive information provided to women at prenatal diagnosis, DS

fetuses will still be terminated..... that's reality. However, I do

believe that many women would choose to go with their hearts have their

child if they were provided with accurate, well-delivered information.

I guess that is really the fight we should all think a little bit more

about!

, mom to (10), (8 DS), and Sammy (7)

>

[Guest guest]

I'm thinking you're right about that flirt gene, Ruthie has it in spades!

She's got everyone at church head over heels crazy about her and always

trying to get her to respond, which she often does with a shy little smile,

or her cute wave. She's getting more adventurous now and when we're talking

afterwards she'll scoot around the floor checking the place out, once she's

walking I think I'm going to have a hard time keeping track of her!

Sue

> Jackie,

>

> This is so cute!! 's new thing when he sees a group of teen girls

> together, is he will smile at them and actually say, " Hi, girls "

> practically

> winking at them, clicking his tongue and doing the pointer finger thing.

> So, I guess DS also has the flirt gene?!?! And btw, the teen girls

> love

> it because he is only 9 and wears size 6 clothes...so he is this

> " miniature

> man " , it's cute for now...

>

> Kym

[Guest guest]

I know the AFP has is notorious for abnormal results and it is usually

recommended an abnormal result be followed up by an amnio. The numbers can

be skewed just because of the mother's age, mine were 'off' with my 4th baby

so I didn't even do it with the last two, my doctor was fine with it.

Thankfully the OB I had with my 4th didn't see the slightly off numbers as a

reason for amnio (which I'd planned to refuse anyway.) With my last two, I

had a different OB (the first retired) and I was asked if I wanted genetic

testing, I said no and that was that. He said if I changed my mind to let

him know.

Sue

>

>

> From memory and I can't remember the statistics - all of these tests are

> not 100% accurate. Probably like 98% accurate but not sure.

>

> So there would be a very small percentage of babies aborted because of a

> false result. In reality when a negative result comes back a Dr. should

> do

> a follow up - though I'm not sure if the negative results has something

> to

> do with the testing or the 'make-up' of the mother/child.

>

> Jan, mother of Trent 22yo w/DS from the LandDownUnder

[Guest guest]

People give these children away every day, in the US and around the world.

There is waiting list of folks wanting to adopt domestic infants with DOwn

syndrome, but we work at Reece's Rainbow to find families for those who weren't

terminated, those who still have an opportunity to grow and thrive with a loving

family.

Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry

www.reecesrainbow.com

Re: DS babies and Abortion

My triple screen was low..........in fact when we moved and I got me

medical records, I saw it was the lowest score possible to still be

considered in the normal range. I remember the doc telling me it was

low, but still in the normal range and there was no need to do anything

else (I was 34). I am so thankful that they did not suggest other

testing (which was correct, since I was within the normal range and the

ultrasounds liked fine..... no reason to suspect anything), and I had a

great pregnancy, worked until the day before El;izabeth was born, and

had no worries. Much easier (for us) to deal with the diagnosis while

holding a baby in your arms, rather than to have to face the pressures

from the medical community and to some extent, society. Honestly don't

know what we would have done with a prenatal diagnosis, since we were

both so uninformed about DS. Shudder to think about how we would have

dealt with the pressure for the doctors. We were not treated too badly,

but just rather ignored because no one knew what to say. I was

thankfully a bit oblivious the first few hours, but DH was following her

around watching the weighing, measuring, etc. and he knew something was

wrong because no one would talk to him or look him in the eye.... he was

terrified. I do remember the OB saying (after we had been seen by a

wonderful geneticist and got a diagnosis of DS) " I really encourage you

to take her home. " Because I was still in shock, I didn't get the drift

of what she was saying.... I thought she was talking about when we could

go home from the hospital!!!!!! Hit me like a ton of bricks 2 weeks

later...... imagine, someone leaving without their baby because they

just didn't want them!!!!!!!!!

I can certainly say has changed our lives. After working for

10 months, and trying to juggle daycare, Early intervention, etc., I

quit my job (which I had worked years for, getting my Ph.D., doing a

postdoc, etc.) and we moved back to CA to at least be on the same coast

as family. We live a different lifestyle than we did, partly because we

have slowed down a bit ( a good thing!), and partly because we have to

live on one income (an OK thing). We have a 3rd child (who was not in

the original plan..... 2 kids, dog, house in the suburbs, you know), but

I used the geneticist's words against my DH and told " Mr. we agreed on 2

kids " that would do better with a younger sibling.... and

right away :-) We can't imagine our life without Sammy.... we'd be more

relaxed, rested but oh so BORED! Plus, he got a wonderful tomboy to

watch NASCAR and play sports with........ finally a girl that wasn't girly!

But do I regret it? No, not one bit. I think that this is one of the

most important lessons that we can teach our children is that at some

point in your life, you will be thrown a curve, and it's how you deal

with it that's important. Things don't always go the way you plan or

dream about them, but life goes on, and you've got to do whatever is

necessary to make things the best they can be. and Sammy are

incredibly conpassionate, and is already a staunch defender of how

to treat people with disabilities....... she's really trying to take on

" the R word " at the middle school. They are patient, and although both

are incredibly bright and have things come easy to them, they see that

not everyone is so lucky to have things come easily (schoolwork,

friends, tying shoes, buttoning clothes). I myself would have probaby

worked my children's life away because I really loved my career. But, I

have thrown all that energy into kid-centered activities, and now work

as hard as I did before, except for free :-) is writing an essay

for a contest wtih the theme " My Favorite Place " and her favorite place

is anywhere is because of the wonderful effect has

on others.

Our lives are so enriched by having here with us. The

unconditional love she shows to everyone is so amazing, and her sweet

smile could melt the toughest pro-abortion doctor's heart. I cannot

for one minute imagine our life without her. I know that even with the

best, positive information provided to women at prenatal diagnosis, DS

fetuses will still be terminated..... that's reality. However, I do

believe that many women would choose to go with their hearts have their

child if they were provided with accurate, well-delivered information.

I guess that is really the fight we should all think a little bit more

about!

, mom to (10), (8 DS), and Sammy (7)

>

[Guest guest]

When I was pregnant with my AFP test was Off they

said showing I had a 1 in 99 chance of having a child with

Downs, I was only 28. My Dr. suggested having a level 2

ultrasound before any other testing, I agreed after the

ultrasound , that showed no markers, they gave me a 1 in

200 chance that he would have Downs. I was more concerned

with him having a cleft cause my older son had one and I

wanted a heads up with surgeries and things if he needed

them. The tech asked if I wanted an amino and told me that

my chances of miscarriage was 1 in 200 and so I declined

(would have anyway needle thing). My Dr. was great about it

and there was never any talk after that. He totally went

with my choices on everything.

Then when he was born I was so scared cause I had no idea

what I was getting into I had dreams about losing him and

couldn't hold him for the first day. I didn't want to bond

with this child I was going to lose. Then they came in to

tell me that his EKG was normal and I started to feel a

little better, My Dr came in and sat with me telling me

about his best friend and how he had a brother with DS. As

he talked about all the things this man could do (living on

his own in special housing designed for people who need

just that little bit of help, and girlfriends and such) he

also told me told me this friend had asked him to become

caretaker if something was to ever happen to him ( the

friend) and he had agreed. I had started to feel better

and took my son into my arms and really didn't let him go

for months. Making up for being scared. I quit my job

(cause no daycare was ever going to be good enough) Thru EI

and another baby we are still learning so much from him. I

sit with him every night to put him to sleep and listen to

him tell me about his day (in his not quite four year old

jibber that only we understand) and thank the heavens for

him I am so glad the gods have placed this little boy with

me even when times are tough like 2 am trips to the ER for

Croup and no sleep the next day cause there are other kids

to dress feed and take care of I love my kids and won't

change any minute of it

C- Mom to 4- Robbie (8.5), Zoe (8), (3.5),

and Drew (2).

Massachusetts

http://www.myYearbook.com/?me=BDJeMlU2WGALM1cwATY= " >Yearboo

k

Re: DS babies and Abortion

People give these children away every day, in the US and

around the world. There is waiting list of folks wanting to

adopt domestic infants with DOwn syndrome, but we work at

Reece's Rainbow to find families for those who weren't

terminated, those who still have an opportunity to grow and

thrive with a loving family.

Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry

www.reecesrainbow.com

Re: DS babies and Abortion

My triple screen was low..........in fact when we moved

and I got me

medical records, I saw it was the lowest score possible

to still be

considered in the normal range. I remember the doc

telling me it was

low, but still in the normal range and there was no need

to do anything

else (I was 34). I am so thankful that they did not

suggest other

testing (which was correct, since I was within the normal

range and the

ultrasounds liked fine..... no reason to suspect

anything), and I had a

great pregnancy, worked until the day before El;izabeth

was born, and

had no worries. Much easier (for us) to deal with the

diagnosis while

holding a baby in your arms, rather than to have to face

the pressures

from the medical community and to some extent, society.

Honestly don't

know what we would have done with a prenatal diagnosis,

since we were

both so uninformed about DS. Shudder to think about how

we would have

dealt with the pressure for the doctors. We were not

treated too badly,

but just rather ignored because no one knew what to say.

I was

thankfully a bit oblivious the first few hours, but DH

was following her

around watching the weighing, measuring, etc. and he knew

something was

wrong because no one would talk to him or look him in the

eye.... he was

terrified. I do remember the OB saying (after we had been

seen by a

wonderful geneticist and got a diagnosis of DS) " I really

encourage you

to take her home. " Because I was still in shock, I didn't

get the drift

of what she was saying.... I thought she was talking

about when we could

go home from the hospital!!!!!! Hit me like a ton of

bricks 2 weeks

later...... imagine, someone leaving without their baby

because they

just didn't want them!!!!!!!!!

I can certainly say has changed our lives.

After working for

10 months, and trying to juggle daycare, Early

intervention, etc., I

quit my job (which I had worked years for, getting my

Ph.D., doing a

postdoc, etc.) and we moved back to CA to at least be on

the same coast

as family. We live a different lifestyle than we did,

partly because we

have slowed down a bit ( a good thing!), and partly

because we have to

live on one income (an OK thing). We have a 3rd child

(who was not in

the original plan..... 2 kids, dog, house in the suburbs,

you know), but

I used the geneticist's words against my DH and told " Mr.

we agreed on 2

kids " that would do better with a younger

sibling.... and

right away :-) We can't imagine our life without

Sammy.... we'd be more

relaxed, rested but oh so BORED! Plus, he got a wonderful

tomboy to

watch NASCAR and play sports with........ finally a girl

that wasn't girly!

But do I regret it? No, not one bit. I think that this is

one of the

most important lessons that we can teach our children is

that at some

point in your life, you will be thrown a curve, and it's

how you deal

with it that's important. Things don't always go the way

you plan or

dream about them, but life goes on, and you've got to do

whatever is

necessary to make things the best they can be. and

Sammy are

incredibly conpassionate, and is already a staunch

defender of how

to treat people with disabilities....... she's really

trying to take on

" the R word " at the middle school. They are patient, and

although both

are incredibly bright and have things come easy to them,

they see that

not everyone is so lucky to have things come easily

(schoolwork,

friends, tying shoes, buttoning clothes). I myself would

have probaby

worked my children's life away because I really loved my

career. But, I

have thrown all that energy into kid-centered activities,

and now work

as hard as I did before, except for free :-) is

writing an essay

for a contest wtih the theme " My Favorite Place " and her

favorite place

is anywhere is because of the wonderful effect

has

on others.

Our lives are so enriched by having here with

us. The

unconditional love she shows to everyone is so amazing,

and her sweet

smile could melt the toughest pro-abortion doctor's

heart. I cannot

for one minute imagine our life without her. I know that

even with the

best, positive information provided to women at prenatal

diagnosis, DS

fetuses will still be terminated..... that's reality.

However, I do

believe that many women would choose to go with their

hearts have their

child if they were provided with accurate, well-delivered

information.

I guess that is really the fight we should all think a

little bit more

about!

, mom to (10), (8 DS), and Sammy

(7)

>