Post by Daniella on May 26, 2006 10:31:28 GMT
YOUR BABY HAS DOWN’S SYNDROME
During pregnancy most parents have hopes and dreams for their future child. When the baby is born with Down’s syndrome their dreams are shattered - they are shocked and confused. The period immediately after a baby’s birth is a difficult time to be given such news. Parents are not at their strongest, physically or emotionally, and many experience feelings which disturb them. This booklet is based on the writings of parents who have had the same shock, have had a baby with Down’s syndrome, and have felt many of the emotions that you are going through now.
Sorrow
When you are told that your child has Down’s syndrome, it would be exceptional not to feel sad. If you can express this feeling by ‘letting go’ of your tears, you will find it easier to cope afterwards. There is no shame in weeping - it is a natural reaction, and crying together can help both parents bear the sadness.
Most parents need to go through a period of mourning for the imagined or hoped-for child they expected.
Anger
Most parents ask ‘why should it happen to us?’ There is no answer to this question, but it is all right to feel anger and no one will blame you. If you can talk it through with a caring friend it may well be helpful.
Shock
It is quite natural after a while to feel ‘numb’. This is your mind’s way of protecting you from more pain than you can handle. As shock fades you may experience other reactions, which might include
feeling as if you are in a bad dream
becoming forgetful and finding it difficult to concentrate
denial
Guilt
Not all parents feel guilty, but many do. This is also a natural reaction, although the fact that your child has Down’s syndrome is certainly not your fault.
These feelings are perfectly normal and. According to most parents’ experience, they may never be completely eradicated but will become less prominent as time passes.
During pregnancy most parents have hopes and dreams for their future child. When the baby is born with Down’s syndrome their dreams are shattered - they are shocked and confused. The period immediately after a baby’s birth is a difficult time to be given such news. Parents are not at their strongest, physically or emotionally, and many experience feelings which disturb them. This booklet is based on the writings of parents who have had the same shock, have had a baby with Down’s syndrome, and have felt many of the emotions that you are going through now.
Sorrow
When you are told that your child has Down’s syndrome, it would be exceptional not to feel sad. If you can express this feeling by ‘letting go’ of your tears, you will find it easier to cope afterwards. There is no shame in weeping - it is a natural reaction, and crying together can help both parents bear the sadness.
Most parents need to go through a period of mourning for the imagined or hoped-for child they expected.
Anger
Most parents ask ‘why should it happen to us?’ There is no answer to this question, but it is all right to feel anger and no one will blame you. If you can talk it through with a caring friend it may well be helpful.
Shock
It is quite natural after a while to feel ‘numb’. This is your mind’s way of protecting you from more pain than you can handle. As shock fades you may experience other reactions, which might include
feeling as if you are in a bad dream
becoming forgetful and finding it difficult to concentrate
denial
Guilt
Not all parents feel guilty, but many do. This is also a natural reaction, although the fact that your child has Down’s syndrome is certainly not your fault.
These feelings are perfectly normal and. According to most parents’ experience, they may never be completely eradicated but will become less prominent as time passes.