ProLife

This post was inspired by Michelle. Please also read her post on this topic and enjoy the beautiful pictures of her daughter Ruby.

As some of you may have read on my blog in the past, approximately 92% of parents who receive the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome terminate their pregnancies. Recently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ changed their recommendations for prenatal testing for Down syndrome. In the past, it was only recommended that women over 35 be offered the testing, now the ACOG is recommending that all women be offered the screening. Currently, when women receive the prenatal diagnosis, not all doctors are providing them with accurate, up to date information about Down syndrome. Instead, women are overly inflenced to get the testing or to terminate the pregnancy. Consiquently, even more babies with DS are not going to get a chance at life. Right now, there is a new bill in the Senate called the Brownback-Kennedy Prenatally Diagnosed Condition Awareness Act that will hopefully ensure support and proper information for parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
After having my son and meeting so many families who have children with Down syndrome in person and online, it's clear to me that if the families facing a diagnosis of DS could meet our kids, they would see how wonderful and beautiful our children are and how much they belong to be here with us. I wish it wouldn't have taken having Logan to open my eyes to these amazing children and their families.
If you feel strongly about this issue, please sign the petition to support the Brownback-Kennedy Prenatally Diagnosed Condition Awareness Act.