So we had spent the weekend trying to decide whether to have the CVS test, which involved taking some of the baby's placenta to test it. Whilst we knew there was a small risk of miscarriage, in our heads we were split 80/20, with 80% being in favour of having the test to allow us to have a definitive result.
Monday 3rd September
We were booked in for genetic counselling. We turned up, not knowing what to expect, the only counselling we'd had was our marriage counselling prior to being married...funnily enough the vicar asked things like 'Do you both want children? How do you plan to bring up your children? How would you deal with difficult, life altering decisions?'
Our genetic counselling took place with a lovely midwife, who basically had a folder and lots of diagrams. We went over the basics (that I remembered from GCSE Science) such as the fact that we have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Also, we learnt that Chromosome number 21 was responsible for Down Syndrome, chromosome 18 for Edwards Syndrome, and chromosome 13 for Patau. At this point, we were also told, the lower the number, the worse the chances of survival and the lower the life expectancy.
Lastly, we discussed the testing, of which we chose to have. I was due to have my CVS within the week.
The day of the CVS
We sat waiting in the foetal health waiting room, I felt sick with nerves.
As we entered the procedure room, we were instantly put at ease by a lovely Irish gentleman, who was an ex-Oxford specialist helping out at Our local hospital for 10 weeks (how lucky were we!).
Within 30 seconds of putting the scanner on my belly, Dr Chamberlain informed us that we could not have the procedure today as the sac from the twin baby (that no longer existed) was in the way. We left feeling a little dismayed, but were booked in for a similar procedure called an amniocentesis, in 3 weeks time. 3 WEEKS, HOW LONG!
The next few weeks passed slowly, we started to tell friends and family the news of our baby joy, but we also began to share our 'other' news with our family and close friends.
Tuesday 25th September
Back in the foetal health waiting room, but strangely feeling more at ease this time. At 9:30 we were called in, and greeted by Dr Chamberlain's friendly face again. This time the procedure could go ahead. It involved putting a long needle through my stomach in to baby's amniotic fluid.
Tim was hoping to turn away and stare at the wall as this took place, but it just so happened that the Dr sat right next to him, and he had no choice but to watch (he he!).
It was relatively quick and painless, and by 10:30 I was back home resting on the sofa. We were told that I needed to rest, and that if a miscarriage was to occur, it would probably be in the next 3-5 days. We were also told to expect a phone call by Friday with the initial results - the testing of chromosome 21, 18 and 13.
The next few days, I can only expain as feeling 'wierd', we had visits from concerned friends and family members, and even a lovely dinner cooked by one fabulous friend. My stomach felt bruised, but we knew that we had made the right choice to have the tests.
Thursday 27th September
We had chosen to go for a drive to get out of the house. As we entered the next town on to us, my phone began to ring....BLOCKED NUMBER.....my heart raced, I clicked the green button.
I still dont remember much of that phone call. Tim had pulled over near a war memorial, and sat staring at me, trying to read the emotions on my face.
The few things I do remember are:
'We didnt expect this result'
'It is called Turner Syndrome, and actually affects the sex chromosome, pair 23'
'We don't know much about it either'
'We will arrange for you to see a consultant tomorrow morning'
'99% of Turner Syndrome babies dont make it through pregnancy'
I ended the call, tears streaming down my face, tears streaming down Tim's face. He was desperate to know everything that was said, but I could barely remember. I repeated the main pieces of imformtion, and we then drove home in a stunned silence. All that ran through my head was 99% of Turner Syndrome babies dont make it.....surely they must be wrong, they MUST.
To this day, we still can't drive past the war memorial without some thought of that Thursday afternoon.
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