A recent article in the press described one couple's "abortion pact." That is, if any pregnancy had a chance of a fetal anomaly they would abort. The couple felt that because of their age – she was 37 and he was in his 40s – they had an increased risk of having a child with a disability and they were not prepared to care for such a child. I was going to write an emotionally detached post about this article, because I've had a few weeks to calm down from when I first read it. Yeah, right. I cry whenever I think about it. I was going write about the difficulty in making a decision when you simply don't know. You don't know what the future will hold for you or your child. You don't know if the test is accurate. You don't know if the science is sound or what medical interventions will come. There are no crystal balls. I was going to write about the notion of 'chasing normal' and how it permeates our society's quests for perfection. Really, how perfect are you? What if someone decided that you were somehow wrong or 'damaged.' Would you still be here? I was going to write about how this is a reflection of consumer culture and our objectification of people – that we think we can buy perfection and we (as parents) deserve nothing but 'the best.' Designer handbag, imported car, designer baby. I was going...

Article reflects on a couple's choice to abort if a fetus shows anomalies, discussing societal attitudes towards disability and perfection.

Prenatal Testing &#8211; the Abortion Pact

A recent article in the press described one couple's "abortion pact." That is, if any pregnancy had a chance of a fetal anomaly they would abort. The couple felt that because of their age – she was 37 and he was in his 40s – they had an increased risk of having a child with a disability and they were not prepared to care for such a child. I was going to write an emotionally detached post about this article, because I've had a few weeks to calm down from when I first read it. Yeah, right. I cry whenever I think about it.  I was going write about the difficulty in making a decision when you simply don't know. You don't know what the future will hold for you or your child. You don't know if the test is accurate. You don't know if the science is sound or what medical interventions will come. There are no crystal balls.  I was going to write about the notion of 'chasing normal' and how it permeates our society's quests for perfection. Really, how perfect are you? What if someone decided that you were somehow wrong or 'damaged.' Would you still be here?  I was going to write about how this is a reflection of consumer culture and our objectification of people – that we think we can buy perfection and we (as parents) deserve nothing but 'the best.' Designer handbag, imported car, designer baby.  I was going...

Prenatal Testing &#8211; the Abortion Pact

They say that a large percentage of women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome have an abortion. But I will not point my finger at the women who have given their babies back to God without ever holding them in their arms. Why? Because I understand. I know how they feel. Although abortion was never an option for us, I still wrestled with the exact same feelings these women had. I cried bitterly wondering why we had been given a "broken" baby. I didn't want Nichole. Deep inside I wanted her to die. Can you believe that? I wanted my baby to die because I was scared. So scared. I had more questions than I had answers, and everywhere I looked Down syndrome seemed like a life sentence for my daughter...and for me. When you are pregnant, and your baby has a possibility of having Down syndrome, doctors respond. Their response, sadly, is not a welcoming one. Most do not offer up-to-date information, or to connect you with other parents that have children with Down syndrome. Most doctors do not talk about Down syndrome beyond their medical experience. They talk about how Down syndrome will affect your baby – a doomed medical condition – in which your child will suffer greatly, because so many things could go wrong. No. What they talk about are more tests. Many talk about a "choice," and they talk about making that choice now! They throw out inaccurate information, claiming...

A mother shares her initial fear of having a child with Down syndrome but ultimately finds love and value in her daughter's life.

Abortion and Down Syndrome

They say that a large percentage of women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome have an abortion.  But I will not point my finger at the women who have given their babies back to God without ever holding them in their arms. Why? Because I understand. I know how they feel. Although abortion was never an option for us, I still wrestled with the exact same feelings these women had. I cried bitterly wondering why we had been given a "broken" baby. I didn't want Nichole. Deep inside I wanted her to die. Can you believe that? I wanted my baby to die because I was scared. So scared.  I had more questions than I had answers, and everywhere I looked Down syndrome seemed like a life sentence for my daughter...and for me.  When you are pregnant, and your baby has a possibility of having Down syndrome, doctors respond. Their response, sadly, is not a welcoming one. Most do not offer up-to-date information, or to connect you with other parents that have children with Down syndrome. Most doctors do not talk about Down syndrome beyond their medical experience. They talk about how Down syndrome will affect your baby – a doomed medical condition – in which your child will suffer greatly, because so many things could go wrong. No. What they talk about are more tests. Many talk about a "choice," and they talk about making that choice now! They throw out inaccurate information, claiming...

Abortion and Down Syndrome

According to Arizona state officials, no it's not. The new legislature, which states that doctors who fail to clearly articulate an unborn child's risk of birth defects are protected against malpractice suits, is meant to prevent women from having abortions. The Senate proposed this bill that would eliminate malpractice suits against doctors who allegedly did not make clear the risks of defects or disabilities of an unborn child. Some parents of children with disabilities or birth defects have attempted to sue doctors for a child that "should not have been born." They state that if they were made privy to their child's risks, they would have considered an abortion. The new law would prevent such lawsuits and give anti-abortion doctors a free pass to essentially lie to their patients. Section A of Senate Bill 1359 states: "a person is not liable for damages in any civil action for wrongful birth based on a claim that, but for an act or omission of the defendant, a child or children would not or should not have been born." Senator Nancy Barto, who supports the bill, told KTAR news that "the lawsuits that are being brought imply that the physician is somehow at fault if the child is born with a disability." Bill supporters, like Barto, say the "wrongful birth" suits are attempts to blame someone for a child's disability. Doctors who do not fully divulge or properly inform expecting parents of birth defects are protected with the new law. Critics say the...

Arizona bill may protect doctors against malpractice suits if they withhold birth defect risks, potentially affecting abortion decisions.

Is Lying Against a Doctor&#8217;s Moral Code?

According to Arizona state officials, no it's not. The new legislature, which states that doctors who fail to clearly articulate an unborn child's risk of birth defects are protected against malpractice suits, is meant to prevent women from having abortions. The Senate proposed this bill that would eliminate malpractice suits against doctors who allegedly did not make clear the risks of defects or disabilities of an unborn child. Some parents of children with disabilities or birth defects have attempted to sue doctors for a child that "should not have been born." They state that if they were made privy to their child's risks, they would have considered an abortion. The new law would prevent such lawsuits and give anti-abortion doctors a free pass to essentially lie to their patients. Section A of Senate Bill 1359 states: "a person is not liable for damages in any civil action for wrongful birth based on a claim that, but for an act or omission of the defendant, a child or children would not or should not have been born." Senator Nancy Barto, who supports the bill, told KTAR news that "the lawsuits that are being brought imply that the physician is somehow at fault if the child is born with a disability." Bill supporters, like Barto, say the "wrongful birth" suits are attempts to blame someone for a child's disability. Doctors who do not fully divulge or properly inform expecting parents of birth defects are protected with the new law. Critics say the...

Arizona bill may protect doctors against malpractice suits if they withhold birth defect risks, potentially affecting abortion decisions.

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Special Needs
Articles

Prenatal Testing – the Abortion Pact

Abortion and Down Syndrome

Is Lying Against a Doctor’s Moral Code?

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Prenatal Testing &#8211; the Abortion Pact

Abortion and Down Syndrome

Is Lying Against a Doctor&#8217;s Moral Code?

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles

Prenatal Testing – the Abortion Pact

Is Lying Against a Doctor’s Moral Code?