Falcon Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I do not want to get into the topic of abortion or Pro-life here....Please understand.... My issue is this, I do not believe in abortion. As a Catholic I know it is wrong (MY OPINION). My wife is currently pregnant with twins and we were advised to go for "genetic testing". Basically they can test both babies and if they should find that 1 is not going to make it, they can end that baby to improve the second one. First, this is not the case for us but it is on my mind since talked to by the doctors. Second, would it be wrong if that were the case and we decided to end the 1 for the life of the second? PLEASE PLEASE keep this adult and not get into any kind of political conversation. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 "Ending it" for that baby would be abortion, which is murder, so yeah, it's absolutely wrong. Other than that I'm really nut sure what sort of answer you're looking for.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Just think that there are two souls already in the womb. I would recommend not even having the test and letting God do as he wills unless you are are willing to make a decision like you are thinking of. I will pray for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIKolbe Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Yes, it would be wrong. If you need someone to talk to, PM me. You, your wife, and your two children will be in my prayers. - MIKolbe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totus Tuus Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Always remember that while it may look like one baby "won't make it", only God should decide whether the baby will or not. It's not up to us to end a life - God's Providence takes care of that for us! If the baby lives, it was his holy will; if not, it was his will. To add a bit of encouragement, I have heard many, many stories of mothers whose babies were not supposed to "make it" based on prenatal testing, and their babies not only survived, but were normal and healthy. Prayers are headed your way! Lauren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 [quote name='Falcon' post='1441537' date='Jan 3 2008, 09:24 AM']I do not want to get into the topic of abortion or Pro-life here....Please understand.... My issue is this, I do not believe in abortion. As a Catholic I know it is wrong (MY OPINION). My wife is currently pregnant with twins and we were advised to go for "genetic testing". Basically they can test both babies and if they should find that 1 is not going to make it, they can end that baby to improve the second one. First, this is not the case for us but it is on my mind since talked to by the doctors. Second, would it be wrong if that were the case and we decided to end the 1 for the life of the second? PLEASE PLEASE keep this adult and not get into any kind of political conversation. Thanks[/quote] Unless you are gonna agree to murder one or both of the children if they are defective, why have the test in the first place? You cannnot murder one child to save another. You cannot murder children to save the life of the mother. The end does not justify the means. Children born with something wrong with their bodies still have perfect little souls from God, and that is what you are responsible for. My first pregnancy resulted in one twin alive and one miscarried along the way. My next 2 pregnancies were perfect. Forget the test, have a happy pregnancy, and accept the children God has chosen for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary-Kathryn Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Dear Falcon, What you need more than anything right now is the ear of a compassionate priest. Please, please go talk to one you and your wife are comfortable with. He will guide you and help you through. many prayers for you and the babies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prose Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 No, it would not be legitimate to kill one for the other. However, I do believe that if one is dying or will cause the other to die it may be okay to give birth like as in the moral type of completing a tubal pregnancy. It is not to cause death, but to ensure survival. I, personally, have always gotten the genetic testing with both pregnancies and I would do it again. I liked the option of being able to prepare myself if I am to be raising a child with disabilities, and if I was carrying twins, I would like to be able to prepare myself should it be the case that one is likely to pass away in utero. That is my own opinion though. Others (obviously) feel otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrestia Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Do they have reason to believe that your wife is at a higher risk for adverse genetic mutations? Or do they just screen all multiples? Is there a vascular issue? If the doctor has no specific reason to suspect a genetic condition I would consider skipping the test altogether. Medical explanation below, if you want it. As for the question of selective abortion... I can't imagine doing it... but I've never had to face that decision. - warning - medical speak below, skip if you don't like big words - There is a significant amount of data that indicates the [i]in utero[/i] death of one [u]monochorionic[/u] twin can adversely affect the surviving twin to a great degree. That's not necessarily the case with [u]dichorionic[/u] twins. Monochorionic twins are also monozygotic - so they should have the same genes - so I don't see why genetic testing would be indicated. If the twins are dichorionic the risk to the surviving child is low - so I don't see why genetic testing would be indicated. I'm not a perinatologist so please don't consider my opinion to carry any more weight that any other phatmasser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotRod Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I am really undecided about the testing process I have 4 children, and each time they ask us if we want to do all these tests, part of me says, ok, I want to know if there is a problem, as I would need to make different preparations, but on the other hand, the underlying motivation for the test's in the first place seems to be, for them to let you know if you should consider an abortion. And when that fact is pondered, it sickens me to think that the doctor would think I would EVER consider that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totus Tuus Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I don't know how the testing is done these days with all the new technology, but are we talking amniocentesis? Isn't that procedure a really high risk in the first place? I have heard about the procedure itself causing a lot of problems to unborn children. I wonder if any Church authorities have made statements on genetic testing? Our current Holy Father is very scientifically-minded so it would be a real blessing to get his thoughts some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beata_virgo_maria Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Doctors often don't tell you that these tests can [u]cause[/u] miscarriages and other complications. With Amniocentesis there is a 1- 3% chance you will have a miscarriage, and with Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) there is a 1- 5% chance of a miscarriage, and there are also side effects like higher rates of preterm birth, limb and facial deformities, cervical lacerations, and maternal infection. (However, keep in mind I'm not doctor, this is just information I learned in my medical classes.) 1. NIH, "Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging in Pregnancy," Consensus Development Conference Statement 5, no. 1 (1984, Washington, DC). 2. World Health Organization, "Diagnostic Ultrasound in Pregnancy, WHO View on Routine Screening," Lancet 2 (1984): 361. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrestia Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Amniocentesis is not [i]that[/i] dangerous. The sources below are updated routinely. from [url="http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=pregnan/6937"]http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=pregnan/6937[/url] "The best estimate of the risk of miscarriage related to amniocentesis performed under ultrasound guidance is 0.8%" For CVS, see [url="http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=pregnan/7849"]http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=pregnan/7849[/url] "For every 100 women who undergo CVS, approximately one woman will have a miscarriage as a result of the procedure." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beata_virgo_maria Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 (edited) It depends on the study you look at. Also on the doctor, etc. They very at about 1% to 3-4% miscarriage rates, which would coincide with the studies you posted. Edited January 4, 2008 by beata_virgo_maria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 [quote name='HotRod' post='1441672' date='Jan 3 2008, 04:32 PM']I am really undecided about the testing process I have 4 children, and each time they ask us if we want to do all these tests, part of me says, ok, I want to know if there is a problem, as I would need to make different preparations, but on the other hand, the underlying motivation for the test's in the first place seems to be, for them to let you know if you should consider an abortion. And when that fact is pondered, it sickens me to think that the doctor would think I would EVER consider that.[/quote] Yeah, thats part of the reason why I have always refused the tests. I know no matter what I am keeping that baby so knowing in advance doesn't really change much for me. I can understand why Prose and others would opt to have it done to prepare in the event that their child did have an illness that they would need to deal with.... but for me I find them pointless. From what I've heard from other mothers more often than not IF you end up with a positive on the first test its a false positive and you have to go through further, more invasive testing only to show that there was nothing wrong in the first place. No thanks. As long as its optional I refuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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