In 1997, after so many years of infertility treatment, my husband and I finally got the news we were expecting, only to find out after my amnio that our daughter had a complete trisomy 13.  We were told she would not survive until term, that I should terminate my pregnancy.  My OB, the Geneticist, the Perinatologist, my son's Pediatrician, everyone I spoke to said I had to terminate my pregnancy, and at 18 weeks it had to be now.  
 
I was adamant I could not live with the decision, but my husband had listened to all the advice and agreed that it was for the best and pushed hard for me to terminate.  We were told she would not live, that she would suffer unbearably if she made it to term, and I was being selfish to want to keep her, so I agreed.
 
It is a choice I cannot live with to this day. I look at these pictures, read your stories and my heart aches.  Since I had a D&E, I never even got to see or hold my daughter - Serena Brianne, we named her.  There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of her or feel she was sent to me for a reason, and feel guilty for giving up on her - because she didn't give up.
 
We have since been blessed with another little girl, Eilish Ann.  She is perfect in every way, but she can not replace the daughter I have lost, or ease the pain that doesn't seem to every lessen.
 
Your message is so important.  Had I read these things nine years ago, I would have never listened to anything other than my own heart.  A mother's heart always knows what is best for her child.  Maybe she would not still be with us, but that would have been her choice, not mine, not theirs.  You give hope to those who have been told there is none, and a way for them to hear what is most important...the truth.
 
Thank you,
Laurie-Beth *82-1-510-744-0512 CA California