REMINDER: to all board members

[DKNY]

Ladies.....

I know pregnancy is a time of many uncertainties. When all we wanted in the world was to become pg, I don't think we're really thinking about what happens to our emotions after we become pg.

Our board is full of questions and concerns about all the "what if's" that flood our minds during pg. We seek advice about testing....should we or shouldn't we? We seek opinions from others about test results and their accuracies. The topics here are endless.

There are very few topics that aren't embraced on our board.

I would like to request though, that when certain topics arise, that we choose our words carefully, and with thought and consideration for other people.

With many women having children so late in life, one common concern is having a child born with Down Syndrome. Additionally, statistics have shown Autism steadily rising over the decades.

I'm sure we'd be hard pressed to find a pg woman (or any woman who has been pg) who hasn't had these concerns enter her mind.

But please remember when we are discussing these topics to not attach stigmas to them. A child born with Down Syndrome or a child diagnosed with Autism should be referred to as such. To make any references to "abnormal," "unhealthy," "downs baby" "sick/sickly" in connection with Down Syndrome, Autism, or any other similar type of condition, can be extremely upsetting and hurtful to someone else.

Please be mindful of the fact that there are women on the pg boards with special needs children. To one person it may just be speaking about a test or a "possibility," but to someone else it may be speaking about their "baby/child." So please be kind in choosing your words, and try and imagine how you might feel if you were the parent of a special needs child.

Thank you

If anyone has any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to PM or email me.

[Coach Linda]

Thanks for your post. I am the mother of a special needs child. My prayer every night is that people will learn that, to be different is not to be less than. It is simply, not being the same as. Our daughter does not look like other people and does not have the same functions as others but she does have a masters degree and is currently teaching teachers how to diversify the education of children with differences. We are so proud of her. We encourage others not to look at people with differences and identify what they can't do but to look at them and identify how they do the things they do.

Coach Linda

[KimAtFertilityAuthority]

Wonderful post. Thanks!