Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Last summer both Lynsey and myself got some great news that we were expecting a new addition to our family and a brother or sister for our son. All was going well until 20 weeks when we had an anomoly scan. The room went quiet and Lynsey and I knew something was wrong. We were told there were some concerns. We had to see a specialist that day who confirmed the concerns from the initial scan. Both of us were devastated but tried to remain positive and were referred to Leeds. More bad news followed and alot of sole searching was done. Scunthorpe Hospital were great at putting us into contact with ARC- a charity that tries to give impartial advice for parents who receive news of the antenatal result and the choices. The charity have been extremely helpful over the last 10 months or so and without them our decision would have been all the more difficult.
Here is some information about the charity and the work they do
ARC provides non-directive support and information to parents before, during and after prenatal testing
In the UK around 750,000 women become pregnant every year and every one of these will be offered some form of screening test, such as an ultrasound scan and/or a serum test (blood test). As a result more than 35,000 women will be told that there is a risk that their unborn baby may have a serious abnormality. This will cause a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty for the parents and their families. Most parents will ultimately be reassured that the pregnancy is progressing as expected. Unfortunately, some will receive the devastating news that their baby has a serious, sometimes fatal disorder or a condition where the outlook is uncertain.
Our aim is to enable parents to make decisions throughout screening and testing in pregnancy
ARC is the only national charity which provides non-directive support and information to parents before, during and after antenatal testing. We offer parents specialised support for as long as is needed when an abnormality is diagnosed in their unborn baby. Our aim is to enable parents to make decisions during antenatal testing which are appropriate to their individual circumstances.
ARC offers information and support to parents who are:
- Making decisions before, during and after the antenatal testing process
- Told that their unborn baby has an abnormality
- Having to make difficult decisions about continuing the pregnancy
- Having to make difficult decisions about ending the pregnancy
- Having to cope with complex and painful issues after a decision, including bereavement
- Representing the views of parents in Parliament, the media, government bodies and the NHS
- Using parents' experience to influence professional practice through training, talks, conferences and networking
Help is offered for as long as is needed
ARC acts as the national voice:
ARC is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of parent members and professionals, and is supported by a medical advisory body and patrons.
So please dig deep and donate now.
