Information on Abnormal Prenatal test

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Abnormal Prenatal Test

Your response will, of course, depend on the prenatal test that was done and the specific defect that may be involved. It is important, first of all, to have a clear understanding of the reliability of the test(s) and the implications of the results of the test on the screen, such as the alpha-fetoprotein blood test, that could prove to a false alarm after further testing? Is there more than one possible explanation to the results? Does a repeat test or follow-up study need to be done to confirm diagnosis? All of these questions should he reviewed carefully after receiving news of abnormal results on any test.

Assuming that a birth defect has been identified with some certainty,else might you do upon receiving this information? Again, this will dependnificantly on the type of problem and its long-term implications. The diagn e.en syndrome, for example, which has a relatively normal life expectancy, is jifferent from anencephaly, in which most or all of the brain is missing follows very soon after birth. You will, in fact, need to deal with news defect on a number of levels.

Your emotional response will probably be intense and will need to he acknowledge and expressed among those whom you love and trust. Don't be sur-you experience a wide range of feelings, including:

• Shock

• Denial—This can't be happening. Accepting the diagnosis might beextremely difficult, even when the same diagnosis is given by further:esting or another consultant.

• Sorrow and grief—over many losses: the loss of hopes and dreams for anormal child or for the baby's life itself if the defect is one that will seri-ously shorten her life.

• Anger—at oneself (What did I do wrong?), at someone else, or even atGod (Why have You allowed this to happen?)

• Impatience—wanting more information, answers to difficult questions,and perhaps more testing immediately.

This is the time for solidarity and teamwork between husband and wife.ilhogrring or finger-pointing is a luxury no one can afford.

Your practical and problem-solving response should be to find out more about&feet. What does it involve? Can anything be done to correct or improve itor after birth? Reading about it, doing research in the library or on the, or talking with other parents who have dealt with the same problem canyou understand more clearly what you may he dealing with later on.

Your support-gathering response is extremely important. Those with whom youst among family, friends, and church members need to be brought up toon your problem. You will need shoulders to lean (and cry) on, open earskarts, and knees ready to bend in prayer for you and your child.

Finally, your spiritual response is crucial. During this time you may wonder God is making any sense or if He hears your cries and prayers. Don't be sur-(and try not to get upset) if you hear simplistic or unkind "answers" from mean individuals; don't let such responses prevent you from drawing away from God, who really does care about this situation more than you can imagine, its ultimate significance—what it will mean, how it will affect you and your family, what you will learn from it, and how this difficulty and sorrov. Your baby will be redeemed—although you may not be clear for many years or even during this lifetime.

You might feel a great deal of pressure to end a pregnancy by means of abortion.especially if the defect is severe. You wonder if it wouldn't be more merciful to allconcerned if this imperfect life and all the trials that will accompany it would no:be brought into the world in the first place.

We certainly don't want to trivialize the sorrow, difficulty, and expense in-volved when a child has a serious defect. But it is important to remember that nochild you bear will he free of defects and imperfections. Even if all the body partsand systems are completely normal when a baby is born, other profound prob-lems could develop later in life. A "normal" child might suffer injuries and illnessafter birth or break your heart eventually by making poor lifestyle choices. On the other hand, a baby who is malformed or destined for subnormal intelligenceor a very short life could become the greatest blessing of your life.

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