Termination for downs syndrome heartbroken

[Sarahvd193]

Hi there, I don't even know if I'm in the right place to post this. Me and DH have had the most awful couple of weeks and the worst is yet to come. I was told last year that I have pcos and don't ovulate very regularly so we were shocked but so happy when I found out I was pregnant in Feb. Had a few early scans as I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right (I have anxiety so thought it could be playing up). All looked fine and I started to relax a bit just before 12 week scan a few weeks ago. We were so happy to see our wee baby bouncing around on the screen. The midwife explained she would have to get a consultant to have a look as baby had some fluid but try not to worry. First consultant said our baby had large cystic hygroma and no nasal bone detected but said this could resolve. Booked in for CVS the next day with another consultant who was a bit more straight to the point. She explained baby also has fluid on chest and abdomen and that our chances of a live birth were next to nothing. Couldn't do the CVS until the following week due to placenta issues and bloods in the mean time showed high risk of downs. I'm 27 and was so shocked. Got the results yday and it is downs. Consultant explained that this combined with fluid meant I would more than likely miscarry as fluid indicates baby is already failing. We were offered termination and as awful as I feel, we have agreed. I cant go on like this. I go into today for the first part of medical termination then Thursday to deliver. I am terrified. I found CVS awful. I'm nearly 15 weeks. I'm so scared this will happen again as I know its rare but there are different types of downs syndrome and some can be passed on (my friend is specialist children's nurse so has done her homework). Anyway apologies for the essay, I just feel so angry, scared and hopeless xx

[igglepiggleisanarsehole]

I'm so sorry.

[KittyandTeal]

I'm so sorry you are going through this.

I had a tfmr at 22 weeks for T18 last Jan. It is so hard but, like the consultant said, it is unlikely your baby would survive much longer.

You should be able to get full results back from the cvs but your friend is talking about a translocation of chromosome 21 (in your case) which is a form of T21 that can be passed on. It's pretty unusual completed to 'full' Down's syndrome. The results would tell you full, partial or mosaic (actually not sure if mosaic shoes on cvs)

I recently suffered an inter uterine death of ds at 14 weeks that was medically managed. The process is exactly the same as a tfmr at this gestation.

I am happy to answer any questions you have about the process of labour (and it is a bit like labour) or what happens after having been through a trisomy pregnancy and birth at this gestation.

[bluebelle2662]

I'm so sorry, I have recently been through a medical termination, though mine was at 23 weeks. The decision is horrendous to have to make and I'm so sorry to read about your situation. I'm happy to talk you through it if you need x