My husband and I were ready to be parents. We decided to start trying and on our first try we got the positive pregnancy test. We were elated.

We decided to start trying and on our first try we got the positive pregnancy test. We were elated.

At twelve weeks, my doctor did an ultrasound to check for NT (a soft marker for Down Syndrome). Everything looked perfect and all signs were pointing to a healthy baby. We still chose to do the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) just to ease our minds. But we weren’t worried, because our ultrasound looked beautiful. The following week I got the phone call with our results. I could tell my doctor’s tone was more concerned than when we had last spoken. He said, “I’m so sorry, the test shows that your baby is at an elevated risk of T21 (Down Syndrome). I’m going to send you to MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine) and they will give you a level 2 ultrasound.” I didn’t cry immediately, I was numb. I didn’t know what this meant, but throughout the next week we started doing research.

Down Syndrome was so much more than what I had thought. Many with Down Syndrome have or are at high risk for heart defects, respiratory issues, leukemia, thyroid issues, etc. I felt hopeless as I continued to research this diagnosis. So, the night before my MFM appointment, my husband and I watched these videos of people that have Down Syndrome. We cried as we watched them laugh and tell jokes. It gave us some hope that maybe it will be okay. I looked at my husband and I said, “If they can tell us our baby will be like that, everything will be okay.” He just smiled and nodded as if he thought the same thing.

Unfortunately, all remaining hope disappeared the following day. Our baby had signs of a heart defect. My world came crumbling down. Already one of the many issues associated with Down Syndrome, was something that my child would have to fight. I couldn’t bring my beautiful baby into a world of pain and suffering. We decided to have an abortion.

I’m so grateful for the compassion they shared with me on both days.

My doctors couldn’t perform my abortion because of strict hospital policies so they had to send me to a clinic.

The staff made me feel more relaxed and supported than the initial shock of this place I had entered. I’m so grateful for the compassion they shared with me on both days. We said our goodbyes to our sweet baby on the second day before we left our house. We told him he is so loved. We told him God and all of our family would take care of him in Heaven. Finally, we told him that we chose this for him so that he would never have to suffer on Earth and our love for him will never end.

I share our story, because I believe every woman should have a choice. I’m thankful I got to choose for my very loved and wanted baby.

I share our story, because I believe every woman should have a choice. I’m thankful I got to choose for my very loved and wanted baby.