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Continuing a Pregnancy with a lethal diagnosis

260 replies

TheDisillusionedAnarchist · 11/06/2015 20:02

I am 23 weeks pregnant and sadly it was confirmed yesterday that our baby has Edwards' syndrome (trisomy 18). We had already known that he or she had a very complex cardiac defect, a small brain anomaly and a possible diaphragmatic hernia so we had partly anticipated this.

We both are committed to continuing the pregnancy, termination just doesn't feel like the right option for us, though I can completely understand how it does for many people. I wondered if there were others out there who had or are continuing a pregnancy with a lethal diagnosis and how they are handling people's questions and ideas about birth plans when you are not sure if the baby will be born alive or not and how long it may live.

OP posts:
BuckBuckBuckBuckBuck · 25/09/2015 07:01

Congratulations! She is beautiful!

Floralnomad · 25/09/2015 07:07

Congratulations and best wishes .

KittyandTeal · 25/09/2015 07:08

Oh disillusioned she is beautiful. I'm sat here in floods! I'm so glad you got to meet her. Fingers crossed for a good amount of time with her and that she stays stable.

I'm so pleased for you and your family Flowers

Wistfulthinking · 25/09/2015 07:08

Many congratulations on your beautiful daughter x

bimandbam · 25/09/2015 07:20

Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby girl. No matter what happens now she obviously wanted to meet you all enough to be here.

I hope the journey you take is everything you want it to be no matter how long or short it is. Very unmnty hugs xx

Nonnainglese · 25/09/2015 07:28

She's beautiful, what a little fighter!
Many congratulations and fingers crossed x

Noteventhebestdrummer · 25/09/2015 07:37

You're a wonderful mother and she's a beautiful baby x

Roomba · 25/09/2015 07:42

Congratulations - what a beautiful girl she is!

I hope you get lots of time to get to know her, and wish your new little family all the best.

I think I've got something in my eye now... Flowers

Mortifiedandscared · 25/09/2015 07:43

Congratulations she is beautiful. I pray she remains strong Flowers.

whitelisbon · 25/09/2015 07:58

Congratulations, she's gorgeous.

lougle · 25/09/2015 08:12

Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful daughter. May every second with her last an hour. Flowers

QuietIsland2 · 25/09/2015 08:20

She's beautiful.Flowers What a lovely name. Much love xxx

YouBastardSockBalls · 25/09/2015 08:22

Congratulations Flowers

What a beautiful, beautiful girl. You must be so proud Star

RJnomaaaaaargh · 25/09/2015 08:23

Aw she's a beautiful little thing. Congratulations and I really hope she does well.

lavendersun · 25/09/2015 08:42

OP, I read this in active convos just after you had posted and then my laptop ran out of battery (with me all teary!).

Congratulations.

Your strength and determination are amazing. Having been through a high risk/high odds of a sad outcome pregnancy, I am in awe of your fight to insist that your beautiful baby gets every possible chance at life.

I wish you all the very very best.

PontyGirl · 25/09/2015 08:46

Oh OP. She is absolutely beautiful. You must be so proud! Gorgeous little Rumer.

MadeinBelfast · 25/09/2015 09:06

Congratulations, she is beautiful. I wish you all the very best.

Orange1969 · 25/09/2015 09:20

Gorgeous baby girl Flowers

IslaMann · 25/09/2015 09:28

Congratulations, beautiful Rumer. So happy you got to meet her. Sending you strength for whatever you are facing in the future. Flowers

madcattersteaparty · 25/09/2015 09:46

Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! Lots of love x

ovenchips · 25/09/2015 09:48

Congratulations. She's gorgeous! FlowersFlowersFlowers

Boosiehs · 25/09/2015 09:52

Congratulations, what a beautiful girl. My thoughts are with you all, and I hope you get to enjoy as much time as possible with her. x Flowers

DixieNormas · 25/09/2015 10:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fizzysweetie · 25/09/2015 10:11

Congratulations! Rumer is beautiful. I wish you all the strength in the world for whatever lies ahead. Flowers

JokerOnTheHilltop · 25/09/2015 10:34

Congratulations! She's the sweetest little thing. I'm so so pleased for you Flowers