16 Weeks Pregnant - DS Diagnosis

[JoS]

Congratulations on baby number two. Can't offer any help but just wanted to say you may have a few challenging times ahead as with any child, but with lovely parents, and Mason as a brother you will be one big happy family. x

[karalma]

Congratulations. I don't have any experience of parenting a child with DS but have worked with a lot of young people with DS. Some of their issues are the same as other young people but generally they have been very funny and happy young people that I have worked with. I do follow a family on Facebook that have 2 gorgeous boys who have DS. This may help you if you have questions: facebook/ollieandcameron/.

Good luck with your pregnancy.

[shepsy77]

Congratulations! I don't have a child with a disability but I do have experience of working with children with learning disabilities and am currently training to be a LD nurse.
I have never met a person with DS who isn't utterly charming! They have an intuitive kindness that radiates from them and is contagious. As others have said, your child will need more support but he/she will lead a happy and fulfilling life (which, as a parent, is all we want for our kids surely?)
Yes, there will be challenges but in a way you are blessed because you will have an idea of those challenges before they arise thus preparing yourself.
No one is "perfect" and nobody has the "perfect" child but I imagine DS parents up and down the country would say their child is pretty close to it.
You seem like a lovely family and I hope that in a few months when you are cuddling your pride and joy you look back on these supportive messages and think "they were all right :-)"

[Dreambelieve]

Congratulations! You have made a wonderful decision which I really admire. My son has autism and severe learning difficulties, we have found out what life is all about through the lessons we've learned and feel privileged to have him in our lives. There are huge networks of support especially from other parents and I'm sure you and your family will thrive xx

[floridaphil]

Sorry, another with no direct experience of raising a child with DS but I have crossed paths with quite a few kids and adults with the condition and I find them to be VSPs, Very Special People. Best wishes 👍

[Kellea]

I've no direct experience either but would just like to wish you well for the rest of your pregnancy. X

[orlandosgr8]

This must have been a big shock for you and I admire your decision, you are clearly wonderful parents and Mason will be a fabulous big brother, sending you hugs and best wishes xx

[Loopylooloo]

I am sure Mason will be a fantastic big brother, children are wonderful usually in these circumstances, much better than most 'grown ups'!

Your post brought a tear to my eyes, I want to wish you all the best for your pregnancy, and for your future together as a very special family xxx

[GrumpyDopey&Me]

This is a good website

futureofdowns/

[Worgie]

Firstly congratulations on your pregnancy and what a difficult decision to have to make. I don't have any specific personal experience with DS but my youngest son has autism and I work with adults with a learning disability. My advice is this. Your life will be different from how you planned but different is not always a bad thing. I have made some amazing friends that I never would have met if my son had not had autism. Don't get me wrong, I have also lost a lot of friends because of my son's disability too but to be honest if they don't stick by you when times are tough are they really friends at all?
Someone asked me a while ago if I had the option to flick a switch and "cure" my son of autism would I and I found it very difficult to answer. If I am honest for him and his future I would but for me? Why would I want to change a boy who is funny, bright, loyal, never lies and is basically one of the nicest human beings I have ever met. In many ways he is the perfect son and has been far easier through his teenage years than my "normal" son. That said, we have had a lot of tough battles to get him the education he needs and the help he needs.
I truly believe I am a stronger, more patient and better person from having a son with a disability. My only guilt has been the impact on my older son who has had to put up with a lot of ridicule over the years about his younger brother and a lot of my attention has been focussed on my younger son and not him. This is something I will always feel guilty about (typical bad parent guilt pangs we all have) but again my elder son is far more tolerant and caring than most of his peers and he understands how lucky he is to have all the opportunities he does.