my girlfriend is in her mid-thirties and has a long list of health concerns. As a result she was amazed when she became pregnant and understands this may be her only chance to carry a baby. Her results came back that she is at high risk for Down's Syndrome. She has to wait 2 more weeks before she can go through the diagnostic needle procedure, which will also mean she will be too advanced with her little boy to have the choice for whether to have an abortion. I found out last night that the diagnostic also can lead to miscarriage. This is so hard to comprehend and I woke up wondering if I can be a surrogate mother? Would her eggs be healthy? How do I know? I want to be as supportive and sympathetic for what she's going through. How do women cope? All this science and technology, and all the consequences seem overwhelming.I would really love to hear what anyone has to say. She has less than a week before she needs to make a decision. How can I help her? What are her options?
options for a friend who is high risk for Down's Syndrome
- Elusive_Liz
- Australia
- Total posts: 3
- tjns04
- QLD, Australia
- Total posts: 547
If she will be too far along to abort [if she would choose that way] & the test carries a risk of aborting the pregnancy then I would think I wouldnt do the test. Theres nothing she can do if the test comes back positive anyhow.
She will find out at her 18week scan if the baby is down syndrome.
From my experience anyone over 35 when they fall pregnant is automatically put into the 'high risk' catergory. I was offered the blood test at 12 weeks to see if I was at high risk too but decided against as to me it didnt matter at all. I would NEVER abort a baby, no matter if it was downs or not. I just decided to wait until the 18 week scan & I treated it like the previous 3 pregnancy when I was younger.
She will find out at her 18week scan if the baby is down syndrome.
From my experience anyone over 35 when they fall pregnant is automatically put into the 'high risk' catergory. I was offered the blood test at 12 weeks to see if I was at high risk too but decided against as to me it didnt matter at all. I would NEVER abort a baby, no matter if it was downs or not. I just decided to wait until the 18 week scan & I treated it like the previous 3 pregnancy when I was younger.
- Elusive_Liz
- Australia
- Total posts: 3
If she will be too far along to abort [if she would choose that way] & the test carries a risk of aborting the pregnancy then I would think I wouldnt do the test. Theres nothing she can do if the test comes back positive anyhow.
She will find out at her 18week scan if the baby is down syndrome.
From my experience anyone over 35 when they fall pregnant is automatically put into the 'high risk' catergory. I was offered the blood test at 12 weeks to see if I was at high risk too but decided against as to me it didnt matter at all. I would NEVER abort a baby, no matter if it was downs or not. I just decided to wait until the 18 week scan & I treated it like the previous 3 pregnancy when I was younger.
- Elusive_Liz
- Australia
- Total posts: 3
thankyou for your input. Just those few words are veryupportive and helpful for getting me thinking, not just feeling.