Doctors Pressured Family to Abort Baby With Trisomy 18
"The baby is incompatible with life. Here is the number if you choose to terminate."
Until this Summer, I had never heard of Trisomy 18. Also known as Edwards Syndrome, Trisomy 18 is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra 18th chromosome in a person's cells. This can cause heart malformations, kidney problems, breathing difficulties and a number of other problems. The idea of a genetic disorder was abstract, until Tad, my unborn baby cousin, was diagnosed with T18.
After learning that Tad had T18, doctors quickly changed their tone when talking about him. Despite the fact that some children do survive with the condition, they told his parents that the condition is "lethal" and that the baby is "not compatible with life". Sometimes subtly, and sometimes bluntly, they urged abortion.
Fortunately for Tad (and his extended family), his parents are not only opposed to abortion, but active in the pro-life movement in their community. But, hearing my aunt and uncle tell about the doctors brought me to an important question: Aren't we all "incompatible with life"?
Death is faced by every human being - even those with the ideal lives envisioned in the "every child a wanted child" mantra of Planned Parenthood and pro-abort groups. The fact that Tad will one day meet his Creator proves that he is just as alive and human as his born contemporaries. Knowing that this sad day may come sooner, however, is no reason to end his life now. Ref. Source 7
Parents of Seven Children Reject Abortion to Have Baby With Trisomy 18
Bernadette and Philip Smith were the proud parents of seven children - Philip Jr., Delores, Soma, Titus, Isaac, Israel, and Eden - when they were blessed to learn they would soon welcome an eighth child. But by the fourth month of the pregnancy, during a routine ultrasound, doctors learned there was a problem with the baby. The Smiths were told that their child had Trisomy 18, or Edward's syndrome.
"They told me that she was fatal," explains Bernadette, "and that she wasn't going to make it." Ref. Source 8
Baby Zion, Diagnosed With Trisomy 18, Lived 10 Days But Will be Remembered Forever
So often when a baby is diagnosed with a condition like Trisomy 18, doctors will encourage parents to consider an abortion. But Robbyn and Josh Blick, when they found out their baby had the condition at 20 weeks, they never gave aborting little Zion Isaiah a second thought.
In an extensive interview with The Blaze they talked about their faith in God and dedication to life: Ref. Source 7
We Thought Doctors Were Helping Our Daughter With Trisomy 18, But They Were Slowly Killing Her
We thought they were helping. Every time we took our daughter Faith to the hospital for her illness, they would nurse her back to health. Faith has Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome).
Trisomy 21 is Downs Syndrome.Trisomy 18 is much harsher with 90% of these children not reaching their first birthday. Ref. Source 6
Doctors Told My Parents Three Times to Abort My Sister Just Because She Has Trisomy 18
"How is Faith doing?" That is probably the question I have heard the most in the last five years. Every time I get asked that question, I have the same general answer: "She is doing okay, but the doctors still have not figured out _____." Ref. Source 4
Doctors Said Their Son Was “Incompatible With Life” Because He Has Trisomy 18
After doctors diagnosed little Simon Crosier with Trisomy 18 as a newborn baby, they labeled him “incompatible with life.” His mother, who refused an abortion, now fights for laws to protect parents. Trisomy 18 also known as Edward’s Syndrome is a genetic disorder which includes an extra chromosome 18. Ref. Source 7
Doctor Refused to Help Their Baby With Trisomy 18, He Was Just Waiting for Her to Die
Some of our new friends Naomi and Matthew found out they were pregnant with their 4th child and were quite excited! Matthew had a feeling that something was not right. They decided to get blood taken for the Quad Screen which screens for Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. Ref. Source 3
They Scheduled an Abortion When Told Their Baby
Had Trisomy 18, But the Prenatal Test Was Wrong
Parents who find out that their unborn baby will have Trisomy 18, or Edward’s Syndrome sometimes hear that their child will be “incompatible with life” because the condition is often fatal. In fact, only 10% of children born with the condition survive to see their first birthday. Ref. Source 3u