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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Australian Birth Stories: Bianca (podcast)

Australian Birth Stories: Bianca (podcast)

An interview with Bianca who unexpectedly navigated the complex reality of a Downs Syndrome diagnosis. Despite multiple health professionals advising her to terminate, she chose to keep her baby, journeyed through a tumultuous pregnancy and delivered him at 34weeks via cesarean.

Photo of Nova-Lee’s story (Blog)

Nova-Lee’s story (Blog)

This is Nova-Lee’s story, of an unexpected heart diagnosis during a scan for premature water rupture before 30 weeks and perinatal palliative care/comfort care. “We moved to the butterfly room, where Nova was placed on my chest, with dad next to us. Taking in every last moment. From memory Nova-Lee lived for 3 hours, at 10:50pm.”

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