New Parents

You have found this page either because you have had a recent ante-natal diagnosis of Down's syndrome after screening or you have a new baby who has received a diagnosis post birth.


Your child with Down's syndrome will live life to the full


Congratulations!

is the first thing I want to say, because you have a wonderful, beautiful, much wanted baby. You may feel as if you didn't sign up for this path, but your child will be a strong part of your family, contribute to your community and teach you much along the way.

Down's syndrome is a chance occurance of 3 copies of chromosome 21. Anyone can give birth to a baby with DS and nothing you did or didn't do could have had an effect on that.

Hearing that diagnosis has a different effect on everybody, but rest assured we have all been through a period of adjustment, of learning, shock and worry too as new parents. 


Back in the days following Natalia's diagnosis, I searched for a realistic picture of what life for a family like ours would be like. Downs Side Up is therefore a collection of everyday experiences we have enjoyed as a family. It also a brings together tips and advice, resources and support groups and sometimes I about how we are trying to change the world to make it just a little more inclusive for all.



Parents feel a range of emotions when they receive a diagnosis of Down's syndrome 

Take time to get to know your baby and enjoy spending time with them. Every child with Down's syndrome is unique and it is important to see them as simply your child and not a set of symptoms or predictions for their future. They are far more like the members of your own family than any other child with the condition and they will live life to the full

Perhaps you have a local support group where you live that you could join? The Down's Syndrome Association and Down's Syndrome Scotland provide wonderful fact sheets and leaflets which are a good start point while you struggle to understand what this all means. Not everyone wants to meet other families immediately, and that is why online support is so essential these days. You can read as and when you want and dip in and out of conversations as you feel ready.


If you find that family members and friends are struggling to come to terms with your news, ask them to read What to Say When a Baby is Born with Down's Syndrome.  


You might find our new resource useful as a start point for important conversations with your family and medical professionals. Talking About Down's Syndrome - Conversations for New Parents is a set of questions that prompt those early discussions. 




1 comment:

  1. THIS WOULD SUPORT PARENT LIKE MINE WHO HAD A CHILD WITH A SPEAKING DIFFICULTY FOR THE FIRST TIME SO THANK YOU!

    ReplyDelete

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