How many down syndrome pregnancies are aborted

These include amniocentesis, which takes samples of amniotic fluid from inside the uterus to test, as well as testing cells from the placenta. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Share on Pinterest. Testing for Down syndrome. Wire service provided by Associated Press. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences.

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The Save the 8th campaign said in a press release: The billboards, launched after consultation with Disability Voices for Life, a group representing families that include somebody with a disability, reveal on [sic] the shocking increase in the numbers of abortions carried out, and the heart-breaking rate of babies with Down syndrome being aborted, after abortion was legalised in Britain.

The billboards capture some stark facts that are being hidden from the debate. The questions here though are far more complex. They are about what kind of society we want to be. Do we want to be ruthlessly loyal to science, shunting away lives that may be complicated but also courageous, or do we want to respond with compassion and love?

Compassion and love sound like the better option, but it is also the hardest. It requires us to look deeply at what our society is and what it should be. How can we make our health-care system more easily prioritize the needs of people with disabilities, or fund our education system more fully so that children with disabilities can learn to their greatest potential and contribute in their own way to enriching our society?

He can read. He can swim. He may go to college or maybe not, but like any year-old, right now he is more interested in working at a pizza shop or a Halloween costume store. Clare Murphy, deputy chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said the test had simply given women a more accurate and less invasive screening option. The NHS website says it can be a very difficult decision whether to continue a pregnancy with Down's syndrome.

It advises women to speak to medics , family, friends and various charities and to people who have been in the same position. It says women should take their time and that whatever they decide, they will have support.

If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews bbc. How having a son with Down's syndrome changed rocker's music. Mum's pride at son's Down's syndrome book. Down's syndrome abortions 'need week limit'. Mother wins ruling over Down's syndrome test. Amniocentesis - NHS.

British Pregnancy Advisory Service. Positive About Down Syndrome. Image source, Lookphotos. Lorraine Buckmaster says she felt under pressure to abort her son Jaxon. Image source, Carly's Design and Photography. Jaxon with his older brother Cavan left , and older sisters Genna right and Lexi far right. Jaxon has no other health complications and his mother says he excels at his mainstream school. Jaxon is the youngest of five children and is adored by his family and friends.

Jaimie was diagnosed with Down's syndrome at birth but has no other health complications. Emma says she felt under pressure to abort her daughter Jaimie throughout her pregnancy. Jaimie is best friends with her brother Logan and has a very loving relationship with her parents. Image source, thedanclarke.