This can be difficult news to hear, and everyone handles situations like this in different ways. It is often helpful to talk with your doctor or genetic counselor to make sure any questions that you have are answered, particularly if the results are complex or confusing. Even if you are familiar with the condition, it can be helpful to talk things through with your provider, or to get any up-to-date information, as things in the medical field change rapidly.
What comes next is a very personal and often challenging decision to make. There are generally three ways to move forward once you find out that a pregnancy has a chromosomal or genetic condition:
- Continue the pregnancy and make preparations (both mentally and medically) for when the baby gets here.
- Continue the pregnancy and place the baby up for adoption. There are many programs available that can help find a family for a baby with special needs.
- Do not continue the pregnancy.
It is important to remember that there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ thing to do in this situation; only what is the right choice for you and your family. Your doctor or genetic counselor can help to answer any questions you may have about your options, and may have other resources that may be helpful.
Click here to learn more about scheduling a genetic counseling appointment for pregnancy-related questions.
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Last updated on Aug 21st, 2019
