Girl or boy. Will she have curly or straight hair, grandpa’s blue eyes or grandma’s green eyes? Dad’s musicality, mum’s artistic talents or completely the opposite. The questions we ask ourselves during pregnancy are diverse and grow to infinity. The answers are often impossible fodder for id conversations, giving fodder for conversations and debates in many a home over the next nine months. We talk, we have hard discussions, but we make bets on one thing we are always serious about: is my baby okay?
It used to be possible to solve this problem only after giving birth and showing nine months of patience. Today, it is possible to have everything under control to some extent and to answer the questions and problems that bother us, starting from the sixth week of pregnancy, thanks to prenatal diagnosis. These studies are not for everyone, most parents play the game of roulette in anticipation of a happy outcome with the belief that their children are fine. But for parents whose fear and nerves keep them up at night, the benefits of prenatal testing outweigh the risks.
There are many situations where prenatal diagnosis it is actually recommended. This is the mother’s age over 35, belonging to a family burdened with genetic diseases, infections such as rubella, toxoplasmosis that cause fetal damage. These are situations where future mothers were exposed to harmful substances after becoming pregnant, had unsuccessful pregnancies or gave birth to sick children.
In over 90% of cases, prenatal diagnosis does not show any disturbing changes or abnormalities. For the remaining 10% of parents, this is a shock and great suffering. However, it allows you to make important decisions regarding the future and a possible way to improve the situation of our child.
What possibilities do future parents have in such a difficult situation?
Continuation of pregnancy, which most couples choose because they believe that the child and family is able to live with the revealed disease or when no other option seems possible. You can then make a number of decisions as to the further course of action, choose the way of treatment or rehabilitation. This is the time to emotionally work out the problem. A very difficult decision in the case of revealing genetic defects seems to be possible in some cases permitted by law, abortion.
There is also the possibility of prenatal treatment, which is possible in an increasing number of cases and gives very good results or prognosis for the future. This may include blood transfusions, surgery, enzymes, or drugs that promote lung development, for example. It is becoming more and more commonplace. Nothing is perfect, not even the current state of advancement of prenatal tests and diagnoses made by doctors. Any changes and irregularities should be consulted with specialists