DownSyn Forum

kaj · Posted: August 18 2006, 2:19 PM Post subject: Expecting a baby Jan 2007

Hi everyone, I am expecting my 4th child in January 2007. I have had a CVS done and we have been told our baby has Down Syndrome. So, we are here to find out as much as possible to prepare for his birth. Although it came as a shock to begin with, we have very quickly got used to the idea and are now just looking forward to his birth.

We are due to have a detailed scan in September and they will be taking a close look at his heart to see if they can see any problems, so we are a bit apprehensive about that but are trying to stay positive.

look forward to being part of this forum Very Happy

Kath

kris10z · Posted: August 18 2006, 2:34 PM Post subject:

Kath,

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your baby! I am pretty new to the forum, but I am loving the friendships that have been born here and the support that everyone provides! Any questions? Ask them! Between all of us, we have experienced it all.

I did not know of Ethan's diagnosis prenatally and my husband and I were in a state of shock, of course, after finding out but that little boy has been an absolute joy and he (in his 5 years of life) has taught me so many beautiful lessons. I look forward to his every day and what he discovers.

Welcome, please keep us all in the loop with the baby and your family! Very Happy

_________________
Kristen: Wife to Scott, Mommy to Ethan (5/25/01, DS & ALL)

Gabby's Dad · Posted: August 18 2006, 2:35 PM Post subject:

Congratulations,

I will pray for a healthy child for you. I have a little DS girl of 17 months who had a bad heart (AVSD) that needed surgery when she was 5 months old. It was hard but somehow you find the strengh and get passed it. I am so proud of you for welcoming this child into your lives. Be prepared for this child to teach you more about yourselves then you can imagine. It will be alot of work and will need alot of patience but I can promise you one thing, your family will instantly become closer. At times you will cry and get depressed but the joys far exceed theses days.

Again congrats and if you ever have questions or concerns, please let us know and the folks here will surely help you along.

Abigail'sMom · Posted: August 18 2006, 2:59 PM Post subject:

Oh congratulations on your pregnancy! My pregnancy/birth was pretty uneventful (we didn't know until birth of her diagnosis) so I am not able to offer any extra advice on this. However, you have a blessing like you never thought you would have. Again congratulations and welcome to the site. I look forward to talking with you more and one day meeting your new little one. Prayers for a safe and healthy pregnancy/birth.

_________________
Eli
Mom to Abby (DS 10/21/03), James Thomas (01/31/06)

rhonda · Posted: August 18 2006, 3:05 PM Post subject:

Hello and welcome!! A little boy, congratulations!! Praying all goes well in September for you. Looking forward to learning more about you and your family.

_________________

Rhonda

Taylor 13, Jordan 12, Dylan 3

keri · Posted: August 18 2006, 5:18 PM Post subject:

Congratulations and welcome!!! Ask anything, you have found a great place here. Kait did have AVSD heart repair at 7mo and is very healthy

_________________
Keri Mom to:
Sydney 9-25-01
Jack 2-10-03
Kaitlyn DS 7-30-05 Brave Heart 2-24-06

jacknbellasmama · Posted: August 18 2006, 5:32 PM Post subject:

Hello and Welcome!!! Congratulations on the your pregnancy! I didn't experience knowing prenatally about my son Jack's diagnosis so I can't help you there, but anything you need or want to ask, don't hesitate. My son Jack is 4 months old and is the light of our lives...I have to admit the initial diagnosis was disheartening, not because it made me feel any different about him, but because I was worried about his health and future and everything else you can imagine...Jack has an AVSD heart defect and will have surgery in about 1 1/2 months...that is what is scary to me, not the DS. After the initial shock, our family has moved forward and never looked back to how we felt in the beginning. Life is normal. Every day is a joy...every milestone a great triumph. Your little one will bring you more blessings than you could ever imagine...Once again Welcome to downsyn. This site is amazing! Very Happy

_________________

Wife to John
Mommy to Keeley 9/22/01, Bella 2/19/04, Jack Ryan 4/7/06 (DS)
http://www.carepages.com/ServeCarePage?cpn=JackRyanClark&extrefid=tlcinvite

EliasMom · Posted: August 18 2006, 7:13 PM Post subject:

welcome!! u came to the right place.

hoping to see more about u, ur family and the new baby

oh and congrats!

_________________
Ali, wife to Felipe, mom to Elias (Feb 21 2005)

lauren · Posted: August 18 2006, 9:40 PM Post subject:

congrats! And Welcome!

_________________
Lauren Huy
Mom to
Sellars 2/4/98
Maddox 5/18/04
Cooper(DS) 7/1/06

[img]

kellyrimmer · Posted: August 18 2006, 9:45 PM Post subject:

Congrats, Hello and of course Welcome!!! This is the site to come to for info and just support everyone here are great. I am also pregnant with my fourth baby. When I was pregnant with Alexis We had no idea about her having DS and would have givin anything to know like you do so I could have learned. I wouldnt trade Alexis for anything in the world. I know you will be the same way. Can wait to get to know you and you family better and also I have one huge question
What will you name him?????? Welcome again

_________________
Kelly Rimmer
Mom to
Paige 11-12-92
Aaron 06-16-99
Alexis 08-19-05 (DS)
Baby #4 11-04-06

Koby'sMommy · Posted: August 18 2006, 10:15 PM Post subject:

CONGRATS!!! OH you are about to join the greatest "minority" ever....It is a wonderful world...with ups and downs, but that is just parentin in general huh?? DO you know if it is a boy or a girl? Any name Ideas??? Where do you live? How old are your other children? It is so great to meet you! Glad you joined us..YOu have certainly come tothe right place....we are a big family and always have room for more!-COurtney

_________________
Courtney-Wife to Chris- Mommy to Koby (12/16/04)

"I am careful not to confuse Excellence with Perfection.Excellence I can reach for; Perfection is God's Business" -Michael J.Fox

waith · Posted: August 19 2006, 6:14 AM Post subject:

Congratulations and a big welcome to Downsyn. We have another new member who is also due in Jan, she will proberly introduce herself. I found Downsyn beore I had Dominic, although I lurked until after he was born. It was such a breath of fresh air, seeing with my own eyes the positive side of DS. I knew then come what may, everything would be fine and you know what it is.

_________________
Maxine UK. Mum to Elliott 12, Dominic 2 DS.

Carson's Mom · Posted: August 19 2006, 8:20 AM Post subject:

Congratulations! You certainly have to come to the right place. There is a lot of information that can be utilized here from parents with experience in a wide variety of areas. We will be here to support you all the way. Any questions that you have, fire away. You will almost always find an answer. Please keep us posted on how things are going for you.

Kayla

_________________
,
Kayla, Callan(5), Kenna (3), Carson 1 yr,

Laurieannie · Posted: August 19 2006, 9:16 AM Post subject:

Welcome to Downsyn, Kath! and CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!
Babies are such a joy. The families on the forum will answer any of your questions and give you such support. I think this is THE best place to come when you've had a diagnosis of Ds. My son is 2 and I've just recently joined the forum, but I love it. The people are so friendly and willing to answer all questions.
Good Luck in September with your additional tests. You'll be in our thoughts so keep us posted and tell us more about your family.

_________________
Laurie- wife to Wayne
mom to Kate-22, Micah-5 and Reuben(ds)4/21/04

If you treat an individual as he is, he will stay as he is; but if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be. ~Goethe

Tigger · Posted: August 19 2006, 9:20 AM Post subject:

Welcome to downsyn!! We knew about Talitha's AVSD heart defect pre-natally but DS was not confirmed until after birth. She had surgery at 4 1/2 months and has been powering on since. At first the DS diagnosis was really hard but she is such a delight I now wonder what all the fuss was about.

We would feel privileged to walk with you through your pregnancy and hope you will stick around as a member of the downsyn family.

_________________
Karyn
Mum to Nikki (19 Jul 89), Stefanie (3 Sep 96), Joel [18 June 98] and Talitha (DS) (18 Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

LovelyKennedy · Posted: August 19 2006, 9:23 AM Post subject:

Welcome! You have found the most AMAZING place here, full of info and support and whatever you need! I look forward to "meeting" your little one. Prayers for a healthy pregnancy!

_________________
Beth Mom to Cameron 2/26/2000, Kendall 6/25/2002 and My Lovely Kennedy 9/10/2003(DS)

JenBrock'sMom · Posted: August 19 2006, 9:48 AM Post subject:

Kath and family - congratulations on your pregnancy and you baby boy. The Ds diagnosis was difficult for me to hear about my little one - we found out at birth - but like you, we have dealt with our initial emotions and are enjoying being first time parents to our little boy Brock who just turned one. There are several members on Down syn who found out about their child's diagnosis before birth and I'm sure they'll share some information with you. We will all be eagerly awaiting your updates!

_________________
JenBrock'sMom & wife to Jay
Brock 7/28/05

LarkinsMom · Posted: August 19 2006, 12:13 PM Post subject:

Welcome!! You have come to the right place for support, information and venting. Our Larkin is 10 months old and has had very few health issues related to DS. What seemed so dark in the beginning was only us not being able to see the sunshine. Our world is full of sunshine thanks to her!

_________________
Amy
Mom to Chase 8/29/95 & Larkin 10/4/05 (DS)

twyceborn · Posted: August 19 2006, 2:01 PM Post subject:

Congrats and welcome to Downsyn!!!!

_________________
Kim and Justin (08/15/95)

helandy.cop · Posted: August 19 2006, 3:02 PM Post subject:

Congratulations. Has he got a name yet? Hope all goes well in your detailed scan, and you have a trouble-free rest of pregnancy. If you've got any questions, you've come to the right place ..... so fire away!

_________________
Helen

Mum to Rachael Kinza (25/07/01), Matthew Isaac DS (14/06/03) and Hannah Cerys (14/06/05) - my gorgeous children! :p

dugarry · Posted: August 19 2006, 4:36 PM Post subject:

congrats and welcome to this fantastic place, we did not know about Kacie's DS until she was born, we officially it was 4 hours after she was born, and it was a shock at first, but our lives are so much more full of joys with her with us.
Welcome to you and your family.

_________________

Daz and Nic, mummy and daddy to Owen (19mths) and Kacie (DS) 3 months

kaj · Posted: August 19 2006, 5:36 PM Post subject:

Thank you all so much for the very warm welcome!! Very Happy

We haven't quite chosen a name yet for our baby boy, it may be Adam or it may be Brett or Ryan, we have lots of time to make up our minds, and will probably think of a few more names along the way, who knows Wink

Our children are 2 girls aged 19 and 16, and a boy of 10 who has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Tourettes Syndrome. Because of our lad we already have a little experience in special needs, so at least some of it won't be new to us, but I have to say that we know very little about Downs Syndrome.

We live in the UK and to be honest it has been quite a battle to get extra help (for education etc) for our 10 yr old son. Anyhow, at the moment we are just taking each day as it comes and really looking forward to being able to hold and love our new baby.

Thank you all again for the welcome, I will let you know how the scan goes, I am so scared about it.

Best wishes
Kath

adamsmommy · Posted: August 19 2006, 6:49 PM Post subject: I vote for Adam.

It's a great name! Very Happy

Congratulations & Welcome. I'm sure you will find a wealth of knowledge here, & lots of support too. You have such exciting times to come. Just wait until you can hold that beautiful baby boy in your arms. You will know that he will be just fine.

My son, Adam, just turned four, & he is the light of my life. He starts kindergarten in 2 weeks, & just got his new backpack today. He's so excited!

So glad you joined us here.

_________________
Anjie
Proud mom to Laurel(15), Erin (9), & Adam ( 4, ds)
"I would rather have high expectations & fail than have low expectations & succeed"

ginnym · Posted: August 19 2006, 8:52 PM Post subject:

Congratulations on your expected new arrival! My BF and I are expecting our first child, a daughter in about 2 and 1/2 weeks! We received a prenatal diagnosis of DS after our 18 week ultrasound showed some soft markers and we decided to do amniocentesis so that we would know for sure and could prepare ourselves. We are very excited and cannot wait to meet our new addition! We have had lots of ultrasounds and meetings with the cardiologist and pediatric surgeons. Our little girl had a small hole between her ventricles, but it has appeared to disappear and the cardiologist beleives it has closed. She does have duodenal atresia, so she will be having surgery right after birth. Feel free to pm me if you would like and welcome to the group! It is a great site and everyone is so helpful and supportive! Good luck!

_________________
GinnyM - 32
SeanM - 35
BabyMaeve - 25 August 2006

Maeve's CaringBridge site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/maevemannion

elizasmom · Posted: August 20 2006, 11:03 AM Post subject:

Welcome! Please feel free to ask any question - someone here will know the answer or help you find it. Good luck with your u/s and keep us posted as to how it goes. Can't wait to see the first pictures of your son and learn more about you and the rest of your family!

_________________
Liz - Mom to Walker (3/24/02) and Eliza (Ds) (5/6/05)

waith · Posted: August 20 2006, 11:52 AM Post subject:

Wow Kath just realised your in Birmingham.
Jo **Hannah's mom** UK.
Is from Birmingham, check out her site http://www.proudwalsall.org/
We may even get to meet up some time in the future.

_________________
Maxine UK. Mum to Elliott 12, Dominic 2 DS.

KStrickland10 · Posted: August 20 2006, 5:43 PM Post subject:

Welcome and Congratulations on your baby. This baby will be a joy just like any other and you have definitely come to the right place. This place will become a family to you and has been such a help to me. Cameron (6months) just had heart surgery for AVSD 3 weeks ago. He is recovering beautifully, and without the scar, you would never know he had it done.

_________________
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

[/url]
www.caringbridge.com/visit/cameronstrickland

owensmom · Posted: August 20 2006, 11:48 PM Post subject:

Congratulations! We did not know about the ds until a week after birth -- but we did have several markers for it on an us early in our pregnancy. We decided not to find out via amnio. It was a difficult decision to make at the time (to not have the amnio done). At that time, I started reading a little bit to get myself prepared. By the end of my pregnancy, however, the high risk doctor didn't think the baby would have ds because of his size (Owen was 9 lbs 3 oz at birth).

It is amazing at how good the scans are -- and knowing ahead of time will just help everything go much smoother at birth! This is a great site, very helpful.

_________________
Tricia
mom to Jason 12/24/03 and Owen (ds) 6/29/06

dect · Posted: August 21 2006, 3:00 PM Post subject:

Congratulations and welcome!! I'm sure you'll find lots of useful stuff here (and great people!!)

_________________
Deryck
Dad to Xena 2 Aug 97, Lucas 28 Jun 99, Persephone 12 Jan 2004 (DS & AVSD repaired)

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind - Theodore Geisel (Dr Seuss)

http://www.picklesnet.co.uk

** Hannah's mom ** UK · Posted: August 21 2006, 6:38 PM Post subject:

Hi Kath

welcome to the site

I only live about half an hour from Bham so if you want to meet up then I would be delighted to see you and you can meet our little girl Hannah

I have a leaflet for you so if you PM me your address then I will post it to you first class post

As waith said here is our support group website www.proudwalsall.org We meet on the first Saturday of the month ( although we are still on our summer break at the moment so the next meeting will be October ) and you are more than welcome to come along

Please do join up with the message board we have ( its not as busy as it is here but there are a few people on there from here that you may recognise )

Also you are welcome to take a look at Hannah's webpage to read all about her www.caringbridge.org/me/hannahuk

We are going to be in Take a Break magazine on 31st August too

and here is the the link to Hannah's video if you want to take a look at the photo montage I did for Down's syndrome awareness

http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=88b31728ac885d830e7be&skin_id=0&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email

I am so excited for you for this little bundle of joy you are carrying. He will bring so much to your life, more than you will ever imagine

Jo

_________________
Jo mummy to Hannah (DS ) who was 3 in July 05,Rebecca who was 2 in Jan 06 and Rachel born 6th April 2006

My beautiful girls

Please visit Hannah's webpage read all about her journey
Hannah's Video

Maysonsmama · Posted: August 21 2006, 10:38 PM Post subject:

congratulations on the upcoming birth of your blessing!! How exciting! Welcome and keep us updated on your scans!!!

_________________
Amy mama to:
Jayden-7/94
Rylee-10/97
Mayson-2/06 DS