Wondering what Members views are on the subject of Terminating a Pregnancy. If during an Ultrascan,it is discovered the unborn child had serious deformaties,or it is found to have an incurable mental incapacity,then what is the most humane line of action to take,if any. Taking into consideration the Mothers future well being,too.Knowing that this infant will require 24/7 care for the rest of it's life,which could be 70yrs or so.Having no quality of life.What would you do if you were pregnant, and were told this news? Interested to hear your thoughts on this touchy subject.

First, when I think about circumstances such as you described, DSTM, I always wonder if people discuss this rare but sadly possibility before they decide to conceive a child. And if they ever discuss what each of them would want to do.

I can only speak for myself but I know I would have an abortion. Many, many reasons but I would not choose to give birth to a child severely deformed (mentally).

Thanks for your thoughts,Mara. My first wife was having twins and had to abort the pregnancy to save her own life.Ever since I have pondered on what decision I would arrive at,had we been faced with a situation,I have described.Do you go ahead and have a child which absolutely has no future?Cause absolute misery to the child,to the parents,to the other children in the Family,be subject to Stares and finger pointing from inconsiderate strangers.Also when you die,the son or daughter would most likely be hospitalised till their last breath.It would be a heart wrenching decision to make for any Mother and Spouse,I would imagine.
Taking everything into consideration,I feel it would be a selfish act, to subject your baby to a life of misery.
I am in agreement with you,Mara.
Others may see it differently,and would like to hear your opinions on such a touchy subject.

I don't condone abortion, however, in the circumstances you describe and with the technology that we have at out disposal today that can forwarn us of an abnormal child who would never have any quality of life I think I would have to agree with you and Mara, DSTM. There is one question that I would raise about this particular subject, who decides what is quality of life for a handicapped child. I can see where otherwise handicapped but loving children that do have a life with people they care about and that loves them could possibly never be given any chance at all if subjected to these measures.

i could never do that even if i found out the child was ill a baby is someting thats brought into this life to be loved and cared for and given attention i could never have a termination i have a son who is 9months old and he is my life i would never change him for the world

This is such a painful question. And so many thoughts and feelings. I would say that the only time for us to consider termination (and my wife agrees ) would be to save her life. We discussed what if the baby was ----- and we said we'd keep it.

I honestly felt the same way - that have a 'disabled' child would simply mean a bit more hard work and it would all be worthwhile if the child was happy.

Until I spent time in a 'last ditch' type hospital. Each child was cared for as well as possible by the kind and professional staff but it would be literally grasping at straws to believe than so many of these poor wee creatures had any quaility of life whatsoever. Not even a teeny tiny bit. Huge sad sigh. In fact, many of them, while they could breath on their own, that was literally the only thing they were capable of except feeling pain. A horror for them and the parents.

Do NOT, and I mean this from my heart, go to the below site if you are at all squeamish. Although the deformity of these poor wee creatures is being blamed on 'Gulf War Syndrome', sadly deformaties just as severe as these happens right here in our own countries.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~stgvisie/VISIE/extremedeformities.html

I admire those that think they could cope with it - but even if done with the best of intentions I can not admire anyone who would willingly give birth to one of these poor wee creatures. To give birth means to give life - and so many of them have no life whatsoever. Heartbreaking.

Kind hearts are lovely indeed and I suspect that kindness may extend to those that often have to make the hardest choice of their lives. Gentle smile.

Think, now. If you were told that you were going to have a child born with cystic fibrosis, could you really go through with having a child that would have nothing but a life of misery and pain to endure? Sounds quite selfish to me.

Abortion is sometimes a great technological advancement, regardless of what some pro-life extremists may say. I, myself, am pro-choice, not because that is what I believe, but rather because abortion does not really affect me.