What doctors should tell you about having a baby with Down syndrome
by Whitney Barthel posted in Parenting
My baby will never be able to ride a bike, read a book, or leave home. How will I love this child that will surely always be a burden"
These are some of the thoughts that haunt me now, seven years after receiving my son?s prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. Now, with my son in my arms, I am embarrassed and ashamed of these nasty -- far from the truth -- ideas that ran through my mind.
So why do I share them" I share them because they are the thoughts of so many parents like me who were given a diagnosis. And with that diagnosis, no hope.
You see, parents like me are usually (usually, not always) sat down after receiving a diagnosis from doctors and genetic counselors, and given the worst-case scenario. The experts say things like ?heart condition, mental and physical retardation, therapies, quality of life, and shortened life expectancy.? You think, ?My God, how am I going to do this"?
The sad truth is by trying to prepare us for what could go wrong, healthcare providers forget to tell us what could go right.
Maybe what needs to be said is this, ?Congratulations on your baby boy/girl! Your test does confirm he/she most likely does have Down syndrome. Now before I tell you some of the health concerns we will need to look out for, I am going to tell you this. Your child will still be a child. They will still have the ability to laugh and play and be naughty. He/she will have features from you and your spouse. When y...
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