RateItAll: The Opinion Network

Irrelevant to the issue. . .you stand for personal freedoms or you think they can be negotiated. . .contributes absolutely nothing to the argument.

When I was younger, a coworker and I had a discussion about birth defects and I had always thought if I had a baby with a birth defect that I would terminate the pregnancy. Little do you know what you will do until you are faced with that decision. My 5th child was diagnosed at 17wks with anencephaly. The drs recommended termination and actually pushed for it. We chose to carry our precious daughter to term. She died during labor at 41.5 wks. I cherish the time I was pregnant with her and relished her kicks and moves. When she was born, I looked at her precious little feet, her perfect little legs, Her sweet chubby little body and her beautiful chubby cheeked face. She was gorgeous! With a hat on you couldn't tell she had anencephaly at all. She not only touched my life, but so many others as well. Her story continues to reach out to others from housewives, medical students, high school students, men,etc. and couples also facing the same journey. While I continued my pregnancy, I realize that my decision might not be the best decision for all. But it is a decision only one experiencing it can make. My only wish is that drs would present the truth and offer both choices, instead of pushing their opinions on the expectant couple. The couple should be able to make an informed decision. A woman once told me she could never do what I was doing as it would kill her other kids. I told her that you never know what you are capable of until faced with that situation and that as far as my other children, I thought I was teaching them the best lesson of all...unconditional love. I have no regrets about carrying to term and to do it all over again, I would... just to hold her one more time. Tammy H ^i^Jessica Marie's Mom 12-28-98 www.geocities.com./hotsprings/spa/4346

As seeing an anencephalic kid, I've always held a soft spot for them. I, myself, could never abort my child if I found out it was anencephalic. I remember an anencephalic baby I loved named Muhammed. He passed on soon after birth. I do remember I wished to take care of him because he was neglected by his mother. If I had an anencephalic child, I would cherish him/her for the time I had them.