stories of prenatal diagnosis

While congenital anomalies are more common than we think, we rarely hear the stories of the people that have received a prenatal diagnosis. We have collated some stories here, to share with you the variety of reactions, experiences and outcomes.

Note: these stories appear in random order.

We understand that stories which may empower one person, may be unhelpful for another.

Please use the dropdown category box to select a particular topic
or to avoid other topics. The decision-making category includes stories that reflect the vast array of potential experiences.

Select the View Profile button to read more about the story, or click on the image to go straight to the source.

Please contact us to let us know about any other stories featuring a prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies so we can share them here.

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Photo of Chayce’s Story (blog)

Chayce’s Story (blog)

This is Tayla and Mark’s story of prenatal diagnosis, TFMR at 26 weeks and birth, and this is Chayce’s story of the love and meaning her brought. “Chayce was here. Chayce was rare. Chayce will make some kind of a difference.”

Photo of Australian Birth Stories (podcast)

Australian Birth Stories (podcast)

A weekly podcast hosted by Sophie Walker, which showcases women’s first-hand accounts of their pregnancy and childbirth experiences in Australia. Some episodes feature stories of prenatal diagnosis.

Photo of Special: antidotes to the obsessions that come with a child’s disability (book)

Special: antidotes to the obsessions that come with a child’s disability (book)

“Most of us expect to meander through the motions of love, marriage and (textbook) baby in the carriage, but once in a while life has something a little more special in store…”

Photo of The agony of choosing termination for my baby who had foetal anomaly (article)

The agony of choosing termination for my baby who had foetal anomaly (article)

There is a silence around the death of a baby, and a greater hush around the issue of termination for foetal anomaly. Laura Doward shares her life-changing experience.

Photo of One Screened Every Minute: Belinda (podcast)

One Screened Every Minute: Belinda (podcast)

Belinda is a full time professional and mother of four children. She shares her experience of non-invasive prenatal screening and termination following a Trisomy 21 diagnosis. Belinda grew up as a hearing child of deaf parents.

Photo of One Screened Every Minute: Naomi & Al (podcast)

One Screened Every Minute: Naomi & Al (podcast)

They are the parents of two boys – Frankie, who is seven and Joe. Joe passed away suddenly just before his second birthday. Only a few months later, Naomi became pregnant. They talk about the decision to terminate the pregnancy when a non-invasive prenatal screening showed a high chance of a chromosomal deletion.

Photo of The Prenatal Bombshell (book)

The Prenatal Bombshell (book)

The Prenatal Bombshell is a companion guide through the journey from diagnosis and beyond once you’ve decided to either continue or end your precious pregnancy. The lived experiences of other women who have gone through this journey are also included to provide hope, support, and guidance through difficult times.

Photo of Fotini’s story – The pain of terminating much wanted pregnancies (post)

Fotini’s story – The pain of terminating much wanted pregnancies (post)

A mother’s experience of undergoing two TFMRs after receiving a diagnosis of spina bifida in two babies, Bruce and Blake.

Photo of Grief, acceptance and special needs parenting: it’s complicated (blog)

Grief, acceptance and special needs parenting: it’s complicated (blog)

A mother’s reflection about grief, acceptance, joy and growth after continuing a pregnancy following a prenatal diagnosis.

Photo of Australian Birth Stories: Annabel Bower (podcast)

Australian Birth Stories: Annabel Bower (podcast)

Annabel Bower received a prenatal diagnosis of hydrocephalus at the 20 week scan, after a hemorrhage in utero. Annabel spoke of her need to change medical providers in order to receive the support and information she needed, before delivering her son Miles early and saying goodbye.

Photo of The Still Mama Tribe Podcast (podcast)

The Still Mama Tribe Podcast (podcast)

Hosted by two mothers who have experienced baby loss (one following a termination for medical reasons), the Still Mama Tribe Podcast ‘aims to educate and create a community of families and professionals who come together to break the stigma and shame of baby loss.

Photo of A story of grief and healing: Efrem and Blandina (PDF book)

A story of grief and healing: Efrem and Blandina (PDF book)

After Efrem and Blandina made the difficult decision to terminate their pregnancy, they turned to writing their story to heal themselves and help others.

Photo of Still a Mum by Meagan Donaldson (Book)

Still a Mum by Meagan Donaldson (Book)

What no parent wants to face: Meagan Donaldson was 23 weeks pregnant when tests confirmed that her unborn baby had a rare condition. Told the prognosis for their daughter was poor, they made a heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to their little girl. Soon after, Violet Grace was born. Still, but perfect.

Photo of A Story of a Medical Termination by Zena (Blog)

A Story of a Medical Termination by Zena (Blog)

To the newly bereaved parent,

Please know that you’re not alone. I want to share my story of medical termination.

Photo of Curveball: Late Termination (podcast)

Curveball: Late Termination (podcast)

In the Late Termination episode, Beth chats with three mothers who each received a prenatal diagnosis and decided to end their wanted pregnancies.

Photo of The heartbreak of perinatal and infant loss (podcast)

The heartbreak of perinatal and infant loss (podcast)

Families shared their experiences of receiving life-limiting prenatal diagnoses and moving through pregnancy and perinatal palliative care.

Photo of One Screened Every Minute: Chantelle (podcast)

One Screened Every Minute: Chantelle (podcast)

When pregnant with her youngest son Chantelle received a high chance screening result for Trisomy 21 or Down syndrome. Chantelle talks us through how she and her husband, who initially had different ideas about continuing the pregnancy, navigated the decision-making that followed.

Photo of One Screened Every Minute: Sallie (podcast)

One Screened Every Minute: Sallie (podcast)

In this episode Sallie talks about decision making following a prenatal screening result showing a high chance for Trisomy 21 or Down syndrome when she was pregnant with her eldest child Oskar. She and her husband Josh decided to decline invasive screening and continued the pregnancy.

Photo of Two Peas in a Podcast: Prenatal Diagnosis with Pea Friend Megan (podcast)

Two Peas in a Podcast: Prenatal Diagnosis with Pea Friend Megan (podcast)

Kate & Mandy talk with Pea friend Megan about the prenatal diagnosis she received when she was 14 weeks pregnant with her 4th baby, and the absolute roller coaster that followed.

Photo of One Screened Every Minute: Kaisi (podcast)

One Screened Every Minute: Kaisi (podcast)

Kaisi received a non-invasive prenatal screening result showing a high chance for Trisomy 18 or Edward’s Syndrome. This result came soon after she lost a twin who was stillborn. After many months of having the pregnancy monitored and gathering information, the couple chose to terminate.

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