Surgical abortion - need reassurance

[evasofi]

Hi, Never thought I will be writing this kind of post ... but here you go. Need a bit of reassurance, feel scared of the upcoming abortion.

I'm on my 14 weeks and the result of down syndrome had confirmed yesterday both with CVS and with Harmony test. The baby already has heart problems and the survival chance is near 0. In short, our only option is to interrupt the pregnancy which is currently planned in a week time - surgical abortion. I'm terrified with thoughts of how the post-abortion is going to be... both morally and physically. There are periods of numbness following by hours of tears and don't know if this will ever stop. This was our first try, but I'm 40 so the chances of having a healthy baby in the future is quite slim.

All I need is a couple of positive responses with good outcomes after going through similar hell. I know lots of couples going or went through stories like this and that we are not alone.

[Bigblueskies]

Hi

I’m really sorry you are going through this, it is tough and I can only imagine your pain having to terminate a wanted pregnancy. I have no direct experience but I had to have a surgical removal at 10 weeks previously for a twin pregnancy that wasn’t viable because of a different trisomy. It was a painful procedure but it was ok, I felt physically fine after a couple of days. Personally I preferred it to letting the pregnancy loss go on and on, putting my health at risk too as well as being emotionally unbearable. But it is a complex decision and a very personal one. I hope you are getting support and someone to talk all this through with. It’s not easy to process.

I should also say that I am now pregnant again and had the all clear from harmony test and combined test. I am 41. Please do remember that the odds are still in your favour, despite being a little older, if you wish to try again in the future. The risk of a genetic abnormality does go up at this age but it is still smaller than the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.

Big hug and look after yourself! X