Sad for my friend

[lowra]

A friend of mine discovered at her 20 week scan (which actually took place at 22 weeks) that her baby has Edward's syndrome, it is unlikely she will carry to full term and if she does the baby will be severely disabled.

I can only imaine the agony she is going through. She is obviously devastated and has a very difficult decision to make :(

I am pregnant too which is by the by I guess.

The reason I am posting I suppose is because I was suprised that such a severe disability would be diagnosed so late. Apparently she wasn't given blood tests at 16 weeks, and the baby appeared healthy at the first scan.

I can't help thinking that my friend seems to have received a poor level of care. I thought blood tests at 16 weeks were standard? I suppose there is only a certain amount they can see at the 12 week scan. I just feel so sad that she has found out so late in her pregnancy, although I know it would be heartbreaking at any stage.

Thanks for your kind words Super

My friend is heartbroken, not sure what her decision will be. It looks like most people opt for a termination with this kind of prognosis.

Yes I think the bloods will only show a risk, but I don't think she was even offered them :(

Lowra
I too am very sorry to hear about your friend.

Edward's is one of those conditions that sometimes shows up on a 20 week scan, the 12 week scan would not show it up which is why the 20 week scan is so important.

I doubt that she has received a poor level of care, it can often go undetected till birth,so the care she has had would seem right. Sad though it is.

would it be detected with a Nuchal Screening test? (Scan and bloods at 12 weeks).

So sorry your friend is going through this...

When I saw my friend at christmas she was so excited and was already feeling movement. We were making plans, discussing our next purchases and birth choices and now this, a month further down the line. I kind of feel guilty and worry how she'll feel when my baby arrives. Whyme, I guess you are right, that is what the 20 week scan is for...

she will pleased for you,i was in a similar situation,me and my friend went for our first scans a 12 weeks,when i came out she wasn't there,i found out later her baby had died at about 8 weeks,i felt so guilty that my bump was growing and tried to hide it,silly i know.

she got pregnant again pretty quickly,i was at the end of my pregnancy by then,so that was a relief.

but 2 weeks before her baby was due,he too died from cord complications.i went on to have another baby and she then went on to have healthy twin boys,and she did tell me at the time,it was sad she had lost hers,but she was still happy for me.

so sorry for your friend,its such a sad time.