prenatal diagnosis

I recently watched a documentary called “A World Without Down’s Syndrome” (spelled the English way). The title in itself makes me sad. Yes, my initial response to the news that our second baby would have Down syndrome was shock and fear of the unknown. But I thank God I had the time to get to [...]

When you are pregnant with your first child it can be scary enough, but when the child you are carrying has something “wrong” with them, the fear can be magnified. Now I put the word “wrong” in quotes because there is nothing wrong with my daughter, but the doctors acted like there was. I was [...]

In my experience, when your child ends up having Down syndrome, people often have some thoughts to share with you. Some people say misguided things like, “I’m sorry.” Some well-intentioned people say interesting things such as, “Your baby will be like the angels.” And then there are those who have no idea what to say at all. [...]

Dr. Stamilio, Dr. Urrutia and Dr. McPherson, You may not remember me. I might be just another pregnant mother in a sea of patients you care for regularly. But I remember the three of you. Dr. Stamilio, I remember your kind and gentle voice when you told me that my unborn baby had a high [...]

As my two daughters and I walked happily to the ultrasound room, we did not have a clue how our lives were about to change forever. At the time, my biggest concern was that the technician would divulge the sex of our little one, as we wanted it to be a surprise at birth! The [...]

I read an article recently (My Child’s Disability is Not a Tragedy,) which threw me back to my daughter’s prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida when I was 20 weeks pregnant. Here’s what I remembered: at that moment, I did believe it was a tragedy. It felt like a tragedy. It hurt. It was terrifying. I didn’t know [...]