Be Not Afraid
Often, parents are who are given a poor prenatal diagnosis, such as Down Syndrome, Anecephaly, Trisomy 13 or 18, or a number of other possibilities, are then left with making the decision to either terminate or proceed with the pregnancy. In some cases, parents are not given adequate information to make truly informed choices. When the diagnosis involves fatal defects, parents can be made to feel that continuing with the pregnancy is not a legitimate option open to them. Occasionally, parents have reported feeling that they were expected to terminate, or felt pressured toward making a decision to terminate.
BeNotAfraid.net is a resource that offers real couple's stories and outcomes which show that continuing a pregnancy, regardless of the baby's diagnosis, whether fatal or disabling, remains both the morally and medically legitimate option. At St. Joseph Catholic Church & School, we offer prayer sponsors for the family and their unborn child as they continue their pregnancy until spontaneous delivery. There are also specific services provided by outside sources to families who have received a poor prenatal diagnosis based on their specific diagnosis and needs including doula services, prenatal photography, counseling, burial gowns, and much more at no cost to the family in need.
For more information about this ministry or to find out how you can get involved, please contact Crystal Stein at (864)221-6242 or crystalstein@aol.com any time. If there is one thing we want to express to parents who are facing difficult decisions, it is simply this . . . be not afraid.