Baby survives abortion offer

A couple who were advised to abort their baby when doctors said he had a rare brain disorder have spoken of their joy after their "miracle son" was born in perfect health. Doctors warned his mother and father that Brandon would be born deaf and blind and would probably survive only for a couple of hours.

Becky Weatherall and her partner Kriss Kramer were offered a termination up to just weeks before the birth...But the couple defied doctors' advice and their son was born healthy on October 1 last year (2007).

Well that turned out well. I came across an interesting web page that discussed how some of the procedures that check for defects can, themselves kill the baby or cause grave complications. Amniocentesis in the mid trimester, for example.

Amniocentesis involves taking a small amount of fluid from the baby’s amniotic sac through a needle inserted into the mother’s abdomen and uterine wall. The cells in the fluid are cultured and examined a month later. Certain chemicals in the fluid can also be measured.

It is dangerous if done before the third trimester. In England and other countries the test itself kills upwards of 1% of the babies tested. Opinions differ. A reputable English study found that there were 14 fetal deaths in the amniocentesis groups compared to 5 in the control group.


Related Link: Brandon a miracle baby

Related Link: Abortion Facts - Fetal Handicap