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Antenatal Tests |
Information about the different antenatal screening and diagnostic tests available in the UK.
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Making Decisions |
As parents of a baby with an abnormality, you may feel very alone. You may think you are unusual and that no-one can possibly understand how you feel. You, and everyone around you has assumed that your baby would be normal. When you are told your baby has an abnormality, you lose the healthy baby of your dreams and your belief in yourself. It is quite natural for you to wonder if it could have been avoided. You might try to blame yourselves or even each other; you might feel that you or the hospital staff could have done something to prevent it happening. In fact, almost always there is no connection between what you think you did (or didn’t do) and what has happened.
When you first hear the news, it is likely that you will have a mixture of very confusing emotions. There will be sadness at the loss of the normal baby you had hoped for, as well as sadness for the baby you are carrying. In order to make your decision about whether to continue with or end the pregnancy, do not be afraid to ask all the questions that are on your mind; it may help you to write them down. Many people want to know as much as possible about what is wrong with their baby. Sometimes it may be a well recognised condition with a lot of information available, while at other times very little will be known. You may have to ask to speak to a geneticist or paediatrician to get some of the answers you want or perhaps go directly to the specific disability organisation. Ask for time if you need it; it may be important to you in the future to know that when you made your decisions, you had all the information you needed.
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Explains some of the more common terms that you may come across. It is not meant to be a substitute for getting good information from those professionals responsible for looking after you. If they use words and language that you do not understand, feel able to ask them to repeat what they have told you and to explain themselves more clearly.
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Getting Support |
ARC provides a helpline, email support group, hosted parent days, as well as a parent support network.
Click here for more details.
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ARC's Publications |
A range of highly regarded literature for parents, families and professionals.
Click here for more details.
Details of books and services found useful by ARC members.
The contents do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ARC.
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