When Lisi Lopez and her husband knew that their second baby boy had Down Syndrome, the doctors kept convincing them to abort the baby until 20 weeks old. The couple refused and decided to keep the baby. Five years later, they could not be happier with their decision.
When Lisi had her third pregnancy, months after she learned she had blighted ovum, she did not expect to have a baby with Down Syndrome. When she had her 11-week scan, she got concerned when the technician returned, and she told her that the doctor would take a closer look, Epoch Times reported.
Down Syndrome
It turned out the doctor saw a concerning issue with the baby's NT, the fluid behind his neck. It was thick, which is usually an indication of Trisomy 21 or Down Syndrome.
Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. A medical term for having an extra chromosome is "trisomy." The extra copy impacts the development of the baby's brain and body, causing both mental and physical challenges for the baby.
The condition is the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the United States, in which it is estimated that 6,000 babies born in the United States have Down Syndrome.
Fear of the unknown crept in Lisi hard, making her feel numb and lost. After all, Down Syndrome is usually associated with heart defects and other problems. Common health problems of babies with Down Syndrome include hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, ear infection, and eye diseases.
According to BBC, around half of persons with Down Syndrome have heart defects. However, 10-15 percent require medical intervention.
Although babies with Down Syndrome have learning disabilities, speech, occupational and physical therapy help them improve their physical and intellectual abilities. Many children with Down Syndrome can now attend regular classes and are capable of living on their own.
Lisi admitted that she had this outdated misconception about Down Syndrome that "she feared something that should be celebrated."
Pressures on pregnant mom with Down Syndrome
Lisi was not alone in her struggle to stand against the abortion of babies with Down Syndrome. In October 2020, several moms attested that their doctors had pressured them to abort their babies with Down Syndrome even at 38 weeks.
Emma Mellor, who was 24, was pressured to abort her daughter throughout the pregnancy. Even at 32 weeks, a doctor reminded Emma that she could legally abort the baby until birth.
Living with a Baby with Down Syndrome
Lisi's baby Leo was born two weeks early. After being placed in his mother's chest for a brief moment, he was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The doctor said he was strong enough to go home four days later.
Leo went through open-heart surgery at the family's local children's hospital for three months. While on operation, Leo's lung collapsed when the doctors removed the breathing tube. However, Leo bravely pulled through. He came out stronger in the end, his mom said. Lisi knew that she had made the right decision, as Leo brought joy to the family.
