Could use some help

[ostrich]

My little brother and SIL could use some help. I'm not sure who knows this, but she's roughly four months pregnant with their first child. They just got the results of the quad test back, and it came up positive for Down Syndrome. By positive I mean a higher chance (1 in 13 *he'll have it). They've bumped up the ultrasound appointment so they can get more accurate results. So in a couple of weeks we'll know for sure.

In the meantime, could you send whatever spare thoughts/prayers/good vibes his way? They're going to love the little guy no matter what, but they could use the extra support.

If it turns out he does have Downs, any parents out there with any suggestions?

* They won't actually know the sex until it's born. I just say "he" as a default.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[Sheralyn]

I've heard of others haveing this test and everything ended up fine, even though it looked like Down's.

So keep the faith.

If it is Down's, those kids are the sweetest kids you could ever meet. When I was a teenager we went and helped out a church group who where all Down syndrom kids. I LOVED IT and I LOVED EACH OF THEM. They were the most loving wonderful children I have ever met. If your niece or Nephew turns out to have it, try to look at it as a blessing because in my opionion, they are the greatest.

[cruelshoes]

I am going to share something I have not shared before. When I was pregnant with Sarah our quad test came back positive too. They said that the chance was good that she had downs syndrome. The OB suggested that we have an amnio to know more information. Then he suggested that if we wanted to he would support us "terminating the fetus" (his words). Termination was never a consideration for me, and we declined the amnio because of the increased chance of miscarriage. The bottom line is that she would still be our baby no matter what. She is fine. She does not have Downs syndrome. Those tests can be wrong and are not a guarantee of anything. I am not trying to diminish how hard it is to get those results, but the baby could be just fine.

I work with a woman whose son has Downs syndrome. I will ask her if she has any resources available to help you brother/SIL. Meanwhile, you can count on positive thoughts coming your way from the Evergreen State.
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
10-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters (12 and 2) have neg. bloodwork

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

[ostrich]

Thanks guys! They won't have the amnio done either, though I'm still trying to find info as to why it causes complications. It's not like they can change the kid in either case, but it does make the parents more prepared. I know the quad test results can be very wrong, but it still makes me/them nervous.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[Eeyorific]

You, your brother, SIL and the little one are in my prayers!!

((((HUGS))))
_________________
Kristie M.

"The truth of God's love is not that he allows bad things to happen....
it's his promise that he will be there with us when they do!"

[isto]

Wow, Os, this is heavy! When i was pregnant with our first son, the tests showed that Downs was a high probability. We did not pursue any more testing because there was not even a thought about termination. Our son is absolutely fine. So many people I know have these tests and they come back abnormal. After that, for every pregnancy, I would not let my doctor do any of those types of tests. No matter what problem one of our babies could have had, we would never have terminated.

As for if this child does have downs, we were at the laundrymat 2 days ago with a boy with downs. Happiest child I've ever seen. Just beaming with smiles and so FULL of joy! He was such a blessing!

Prayers for your family! No matter what the doctors say could be wrong with this baby, remember that it is perfect just as it is. And what a gift!

[The Edifying Conscience]

Os,
So sorry to hear this news. I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything works out for the best for your soon-to-be niece or nephew.

[jimsters]

Hey OS.

Sent my thoughts your way a few times today. Pray things work out for everyone.

Jimsters
_________________
GF has really learned me about cooking
01 01
GF since 1989
Smoke Free since Oct. 2006

[nancw]

Os - Sending out good vibes and hopes for your family and baby.

[Fidissimus]

Our prayers are with you and your family (hoping for good news in a few months).
_________________
Cheers!
Jenn

GF BD: Feb. 2001
Free of wheat, barley, rye, oats, dairy, eggs, almonds, pineapple and brewers yeast.
http://graindamaged.blogspot.com/

[ostrich]

Wow, thanks everybody for the support! They appreciate it. I'll update this as soon as they go in for the ultrasound.

Isto - No, termination isn't an option for them either. That's why they're stopping the tests after the ultrasound.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[isto]

Ostrich, is everything going ok with the baby and the pregnancy? Your family has been on my mind a lot. Hope all is well!

[ostrich]

Aw nuts, sorry to make you worry! We've been so busy I totally forgot to update this. The baby is probably fine. The doc couldn't find any physical indicators of Downs. Now we're just hoping he isn't born while we're all in FL!
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[isto]

Glad everything is ok! So you know the baby is a he?

[ostrich]

Nope, they don't know the sex yet. LOL, actually, they have The Envelope sitting on top of the fridge. They're debating if they want to open it and find out.