Prenatal diagnosis is more common than you may guess.

One in 22 babies have a “major congenital anomaly”, a difference in their genetics, health or development that is associated with significant medical care, disability, or early death. Many of these babies receive a diagnosis before they are born. Yet, there are even more babies who aren’t routinely counted in this statistic, including babies lost before 20 weeks gestation and babies who have anomalies or differences that are considered to be “minor”.

Many expectant parents are told that their unborn baby has a difference or diagnosis or may have a high chance of a difference or diagnosis.

An unexpected prenatal diagnosis can be distressing and traumatic. Sometimes the news is the hardest, sometimes it’s the decisions, and sometimes it’s the gaps in care or judgements from others that harms.

For many, the initial news of a possible fetal anomaly or difference is only the start of the journey through the unexpected.