Being an older mum to be (I was 42 when I found out I was expecting) we decided to have a Nuchal Translucency Scan and combined blood test, to assess our 'risk' of having a baby Down's Syndrome. The result of the NT scan showed that our risk of carrying a child with Downs Syndrome was 1 in 5, this is a very high risk result, and we decided straight away that we wanted to know for sure. So we arranged to have a CVS test done, which would give us a definate yes or no answer. The result came back that we were expecting a baby boy who would have Trisomy 21, more commonly known as Down Syndrome.

It was a confusing time for us, there were tears, we were scared of the unknown, and to add to the confusion everyone was saying how 'sorry' they were (???). Looking back we still haven't worked out properly what our thoughts and feelings were at the time, we just 100% knew that we would love our baby and in hindsight thats all that really matters.

There is an unbelievable 94% abortion rate following a positive diagnosis of DS. Why, oh, why??? I wish with all my heart that women could always be told the whole picture, that a baby with a disability might be hard work but that there is absolutely nothing on earth that surpasses the rewards they bring to you, and the immense joy you will feel with helping them achieve.

More complications.....

Far from being a straight forward pregnancy, this was a complicated pregnancy with one problem after another. From very early on I developed SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) which is a very painful condition related to pregnancy and I ended up walking with crutches and taking very strong painkillers, not fun!

I was also carrying too much fluid (Polyhydramnios) and the excess weight made it even more difficult, and then just to put the icing on the cake I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, (ended up having to inject insulin twice a day!) oh what fun, no wonder they thought I was depressed!!

Throughout it all though, I had a brilliant team at the hospital and was fully supported, it makes such a difference when you have excellent care and feel able to contact someone with all your worries and concerns. I also had an excellent community midwife who made weekly visits to my home to check on me, this saved me having to make the painful journey to the clinic on crutches.

Luckily, I was fully supported in my choice to have an Elective Caesarean Section, and this made all the difference to my frame of mind because of a previous bad birth experience and also because of the pain I was already in due to the SPD. Thank you to my Consultant and Midwives for really listening to me.

All in all I was glad when the pregnancy was over and there was a light at the end of the tunnel...............