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​Mother Of Twins Said She Felt 'Pressured' To Terminate Her Son With Down's Syndrome

Aneira Davies

Published 

​Mother Of Twins Said She Felt 'Pressured' To Terminate Her Son With Down's Syndrome

Featured Image Credit: Caters News Agency

A Californian mum of twin boys has said she felt pressured to terminate her son, who was likely to be born with Down's syndrome, during her pregnancy.

Lizeth Breaux, 37, was 12 weeks pregnant with twins Andre and August when she found out one of them would be born with the condition.

Throughout the remainder of Lizeth's pregnancy, she felt doctors hinted that she should terminate the one baby with the condition, but Lizeth carried on with the pregnancy regardless.

Lizeth and her husband were excited to be expecting twins (Credit: Caters News Agency)
Lizeth and her husband were excited to be expecting twins (Credit: Caters News Agency)
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The mum-of-five gave birth to her two sons, Andre and August, on the 17th January and is relieved she didn't succumb to the pressure of terminating her pregnancy.

Lizeth said: "It was really surreal when we got the news that our one baby had Down's syndrome.

"My head was all over the place. I was up and down with how I felt, some days I was okay and had accepted it, and other days I was sick with worry about what his future would hold. I was terrified."

One of the hardest points of the pregnancy, however, was when multiple doctors were advising her to terminate.

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"All of our hospital appointments were focused on what August would not be able to do and how his and our life will be so difficult due to his condition.

"I always knew I was never going to terminate the pregnancy, but they had me second-guessing whether I was making the right choice and if I would be able to deal with this.

"They kept saying to me 'you can keep his twin, you will still end up with a baby', but I knew I wanted them both."

Lizeth found out at 12 weeks that one of her twins would be born with Down's syndrome (Credit: Caters News Agency)
Lizeth found out at 12 weeks that one of her twins would be born with Down's syndrome (Credit: Caters News Agency)
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At one point, later on in the pregnancy, August stopped growing and doctors insisted he wouldn't make it, but still Lizeth never lost faith.

"Each time the doctors kept repeating that he was not going to make it, and each time we went back for another appointment he was still alive. It was like they were trying to give me another reason to terminate.

"In the end, I had to tell them that until I cannot hear his heart beating anymore, I do not want to hear about how he is not going to make it. I told them to stop speaking negatively about him and to stop going on about a termination."

She adds: "They made me think that when he was born he was going to be broken, but he is just a normal child with some complications."

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Lizeth gave birth to twins August and Andre in January this year (Credit: Caters News Agency)
Lizeth gave birth to twins August and Andre in January this year (Credit: Caters News Agency)

Both twins are doing really well and August does not have any heart problems. He has had a few breathing problems, which resulted in the baby having his tonsils and adenoids removed. But in spite of this difficult start, he is healthy and progressing well, says Lizeth.

"I know our journey is not done and there is a long hard road ahead of us with many struggles to face, but I have absolutely no regrets. I love them both so much," she explains.

Twins August (left) and Andre (right) are now thriving says mum Lizeth (Credit: Caters News Agency)
Twins August (left) and Andre (right) are now thriving says mum Lizeth (Credit: Caters News Agency)
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"I hope my story can normalise the feelings you experience when you are told your child will be most likely born with Down's syndrome.

"It is okay to be terrified and to feel like it is not going to be okay. We are made for whatever child we are given and we are strong enough for anything. You do not have to be forced into anything."

We wish the family well for the future!

Topics: Life News, Life, Parenting

Aneira Davies
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