Mum who was advised to abort her baby after doctors thought he had Down Syndrome, gives birth to healthy baby

Jordan Squires is urging all mums to get a second medical opinion if they get the same advice

November 19 2018

A mum who was advised to terminate her healthy baby after her 12-week scan is urging other mums to get a second medication opinion if the same happens to them. 

Jordan Squires, 22, was told at her 12-week nuchal scan that the baby she was carrying was 'high likely' to have Down Syndrome due to the large amount of fluid on the back of his neck.

But Jordan and her partner Johnathan refused and prepared themselves throughout the pregnancy to proudly raise a baby with Down Syndrome

But when little Jay was born, he showed no sign of the condition and has now been given the all-clear. 

Jordan says, 'Straight away I was told that they advised terminating the pregnancy without giving us any other options or support.

'We were so angry and we told them where to go.

'There was no way I was going to do that, we had waited so long for this baby and we would love our child regardless of the disability.'

Jordan added, 'I was furious that they were encouraging people to do that and if it had been someone different then they could of been persuaded by the doctors, then they would have ended a healthy pregnancy.'

The couple also refused to have a amniocentesis test, which involves using a large needle to extract and test amniotic fluid from the uterus and there is a risk of a miscarriage.'

'When you've been told your baby has a disability you're obviously in a vulnerable position and it can be easy to make quick rash decisions,' said Jordan.

'I understand they need to make people fully aware of the commitment and challenges that they can face but for us he would have always been loved.'

What is Down Syndrome?

Down Syndrome is caused when there is an extra chromosome in a person's body. People with Down Syndrome have 47 chromosomes in their cells instead of 46. They have an extra chromosome 21, which is why Down syndrome is also sometimes known as trisomy 21.

People with Down Syndrome have:

  • some characteristic physical features

  • some health and development challenges

  • some level of intellectual disability.