This week's cover of InTouch Weekly is FABULOUS.

[ohinternets.livejournal.com]

An excerpt from the article:

Though raising an infant has been challenging, Bristol has the unconditional love and support of her family — especially her mother, Sarah Palin. After all, no one can better understand the complicated decision to have a baby under difficult circumstances. Just a year earlier, at the age of 44, Sarah carried her son Trig to term, even though she was told during a sonogram that he would be born with Down syndrome. Now, the mother and daughter are sharing a unique experience— raising baby boys together under the same roof.

Comments

[mugglechump.livejournal.com]

Sarah carried her son Trig to term, even though she was told during a sonogram that he would be born with Down syndrome.

While I'm glad Sarah Palin did continue her pregnancy, it really irritates me that the article phrases it as if it was some majorly unusual choice to make. As if the obvious and 'normal' thing to do would be to abort Trig because he wasn't 'perfect'.

[ohinternets.livejournal.com]

Sadly, as someone pointed out upstream, nearly 90% of Down Syndrome affected babies are aborted, so her choice is tragically abnormal and unusual.

[mugglechump.livejournal.com]

Without knowing where that statistic is coming from, it's hard to argue either way, but I'm sure there's been a tremendous spike in abortions of Downs babies since it's become part of regular pregnancy screening. It makes me sick that it's become rote. There's nothing that can be done to cure the condition, so really it's just a flag so women can do away with babies that they consider substandard.

[ohinternets.livejournal.com]

I agree with you. The statistic came from this study (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/65500197/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0), but there are many similar studies both in the U.S. and other countries, all of which are within the same statistical range.

[sabbrielle.livejournal.com]

I think such screenings are definitely legitimate. Knowing information doesn't necessitate any kind of action. It could help the parent(s) be prepared, especially since caring for children with special needs can be much more resource-intensive. What if, during the pregnancy, the parents are looking at different career options, one which pays less but is more interesting, and one that's a bit boring but has a higher salary? Knowing that money is going to be crucial even moreso than with a regular baby will help them make the right choice in that situation.

[caromiofic.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if I was ever pregnant, I'd use the info gathered to prepare the best I could for my kid. One, I love learning, and two, I like getting things right, so knowing where to focus my research would just be a big plus.