Читать книгу Sister Lilian’s Pregnancy & Birth Companion - Lilian Paramor - Страница 16

Many prospective parents worry about whether their unborn child will be normal. The more anxious you are by nature, the more difficult you will find it to put this into perspective. Remember that most babies are born ‘normal’. The value of not stressing unduly about this in pregnancy is great. Rather deal constructively with anxiety.

If you are aware of hereditary problems in your family, it is advisable to seek advice from a genetic counsellor before starting a family. Much heartache can be avoided in this way. Expectant couples who are at risk of giving birth to a baby with a genetic problem would be well advised to undergo appropriate tests (see Testing in pregnancy, which will put their minds at rest, assist them in a possible decision to terminate the pregnancy or give them time to prepare for the extra challenges of parenting a special-needs baby.

I advise every expectant parent to read The Antenatal Testing Handbook: The Complete Guide to Testing in Pregnancy by Vivienne Parry and others for an excellent overview of the tests available. It addresses the questions relating to genetics that are uppermost in the minds of many before conception and during pregnancy.