A story of grief and healing: Efrem and Blandina (PDF book) » stories of prenatal diagnosis

We know that prenatal diagnosis is more common than many think. Yet, we rarely hear the stories of the people that have received unexpected news about the health, development or genetics of their unborn baby. We wish to change that so parents no longer feel hidden or isolated.

We have collated parents stories to share with the variety of reactions, experiences and outcomes.

Note:

  • These stories appear in random order.
  • Stories which help 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.

Click on the logo/image to go directly to the story, or select the View Profile link if you wish to read more about it first.

Please contact us to let us know about any other stories we should include here.

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

About the resource

“At first, Efrem and Blandina’s only concern with their pregnancy was getting back to Australia safely after finding out they were pregnant overseas.

They checked in with a doctor who told them that they’d be fine to return home. He asked to keep in touch.

Over the coming weeks, like any new parents, Efrem and Blandina started imagining their new exciting future.

But, things took a sharp turn after their standard 13-week ultrasound. Their little one, who they had nicknamed 4.3 after a funny misunderstanding in an earlier check-up, had a neural tube defect. This condition was incompatible with life – meaning either their much-loved baby would be stillborn, or have a very short and painful life.

They made the painful decision to terminate their pregnancy out of their deep love for their baby’s wellbeing.

While we often understand grief as a result of stillbirth or during childhood, we don’t often talk about or hear about the grief felt by many other parents.

Termination of pregnancy and miscarriage brings all of the same feelings of loss and devastation, as parents grieve for a baby they never had a chance to meet, and for a life they never had the chance to love. Red Nose supports many different types of families who have experienced many different types of loss.

To help cope with their grief, Efrem and Blandina have turned their story in a book of hope and healing. Not only did they find this therapeutic, they also hope it will help other parents who have to make one of the most difficult decisions a parent can face.”

Their story is available now as a download from the Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Library.

Notes

neural tube defect