Ethical Decisions

[Christmas Tree 4920]

You find out after 16 weeks that your partner is carrying a down syndrome baby....

 

What do you do?

[Tom 14021]

My Auntie is nearly 50 and she has down syndrome.

 

So obviously 'Keep on, Keeping on'.

[Walliver 0]

I'd be tempted to suggest an abortion. I'm not sure I'm capable of looking after a child with so many needs and in all selfishness I'd want a more 'regular' child that I could watch and help grown and learn at a quicker rate.

 

Then I'd do whatever the mother said.

[Christmas Tree 4920]

I'd be tempted to suggest an abortion. I'm not sure I'm capable of looking after a child with so many needs and in all selfishness I'd want a more 'regular' child that I could watch and help grown and learn at a quicker rate.

 

Then I'd do whatever the mother said.

 

 

Aye, suppose that sums up my position.

 

Tom I'm sure there are lots of families who's lives are enriched by having a down syndrome child.

 

I raise the question a, for a bit of fun in GC but also because it is a test now for every expectant mother and therefore a decision that most of us will have to consider at some point.

 

It also occurs after the first scan when parents have already seen their child wriggling around.

 

Think that makes it a real tough decision.

[JawD 99]

A very emotive subject. A tough choice thinking about it now, imagine how tough it would be in the real situation? I have a half sister who has Downs. That made me terrified that for some reason one of my kids could be born Downs, even though thats not how it works. When my youngest was around 20weeks (during pregnancy) it was suggested (wrongly I may add now) that he could have scoliosis or spina bifida. We wouldnt know for a week until we had another scan. In that week, we both just really felt strongly protective to our unborn son. No self pity, maybe a little anger and sadness. I know its not the same, but being in that position your thought process changes. I suspect that may well be the same if you found your child was Downs. As it happens, the opinion of the person who done the first scan was incorrect and our son was fine. But that was one hard week.

[Gemmill 47054]

I raise the question a, for a bit of fun in GC

 

Yeah this should be fun.

[Christmas Tree 4920]

I raise the question a, for a bit of fun in GC

 

Yeah this should be fun.

 

Let's say interesting then

 

And Jawd, that must have been one hell of a week.

 

You could also be right that what you think you would do and what you would actually do may differ.

 

I think your own circumstances play a part as well, first kid or fifth, age etc.