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The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati has an important message today, as many women choose to delay having a baby. It's important to separate the myths from the facts about this syndrome.
Local 12's Liz Bonis explains why in today's Medical Edge.
Tiffany Ripley had her son, Xander, at 18.
Mary Lynne Sauby had Ryan at 42.
Both boys have Down Syndrome, a condition from altered chromosomes. For these mom's...
"I almost wouldn't want him any other way."
Mary Lynne Sauby, Mother: "The first time I saw him all swaddled up, I just fell in love with him immediately."
But along with the Down Syndrome Association, however, both mom's also want women to know, while risk for this syndrome increases with age, you can have a baby with Down Syndrome at any age.
Dr. Ted Lum: "The overall picture is easily looked at in your young 20's your risk for Down Syndrome is one in a thousand, at 39 it's one in a hundred. It has nothing to do with your health, how well you take care of yourself, whether it's your first baby your eighth baby, it's truly a random event."
To learn more, Doctor Ted Lum suggests women have what he refers to as "pre" creation counseling before birth. That's sort of a fancy word for the 13 month pregnancy, which means if you are even thinking of having a baby you need to go to your health care provider and talk about your risks and how to take care of yourself in that time. But these mom's also want you to know...
"They do everything any other child does."
"Don't be afraid, be not afraid, any child would bring you challenges, I don't feel any differently."
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