Prenatal testing for Down Syndrome Everyone wants to know that their child is growing and will be a healthy functioning child but more and more women are receiving the diagnosis that their child has Down syndrome. Some may ask how accurate is the screening process? Prenatal screenings can give you an estimate of what chance your fetus has of having Down syndrome. These tests are just a probability but if you take the Diagnostic tests it can provide you with an almost 100% accurate diagnosis. It is good to have reliable maternity coverage for women who are going through this challenge, as the screenings can add additional costs to prenatal healthcare. There will often be blood tests alongside a detailed ultrasound to check for key indicators of Down syndrome.
What does the Test Entail? The test called “MaterniT21� involves blood from the mother and is much more extensive. While these tests are more accurate they also can cause complications to the pregnancy. For many who know they will keep the baby regardless of condition, they choose to decline the intensive testing process. Taking the test can help parent really prepare for a Down syndrome child and be aware of the added needs. Some of the things to be aware of are listed here: 1. Often times parents can be daunted with the tasks ahead. With the birth of a Down syndrome child there can be some abnormalities that may make the birthing process more difficult such as larger heads or shoulders which can increase risk. 2.
Really Down Syndrome children are not much different from other children in that they go to school, have birthday parties, and play around. They may need extra attention from medical specialists and need special attention from educators.
3. You will need to keep track of all medical treatments and concerns for your child. This will ensure that you are able to accurately provide medical professionals with the information that they need. 4.
There are different varieties of Down syndrome that parents should be aware of so that they can address their specific needs better. The most common case is trisomy 21.
5. Be aware of your child’s limitations because they are all different (even though many think that down syndrome is the same for all people). This may require a lot of learning and education on your part as a parent. 6. You will need emotional support when times get tough. Finding other parents who are dealing with some of the same challenges can be very advantages. 7. It is important that you don’t set any limits on your child just because you think they are different. It is important that you love them and treat them like you would any other child. 8. It is important to create diversity in your environments so your child receives creative experiences that help in the development of his or her brain. 9.
Encourage your child to play with all sorts of toys. This will help the brain as well.
10. Accept that your child will develop at his/her own speed and in their own way. This will lessen the stress and pressure on you and them as well. Overall the challenges listed are not all comprehensive but they can give parents an idea of what to look for and how to take care of their growing child. It is important to have a good family health insurance to take care of some of the medical costs that will be present with the ongoing parenting of Down syndrome children. Photo Credit: Nina Matthews, Paul Adkins