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My Child, My Gift: A Positive Response to Serious Prenatal Diagnosis

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Nugent focuses here on pregnancy and birth accompanied by an in utero diagnosis of a serious congenital problem. She reports that more than 800 conditions, including Down syndrome and anencephaly, can be diagnosed in utero today, and that as many as 90 percent of parents receiving such a diagnosis choose abortion. Those who continue the pregnancy are not heroes, Nugent writes, but "ordinary parents who are choosing to give their children every possible chance." Stories and photos from those families are linked together with brief commentary by the author of this remarkable book. The opening chapter, Finding Out, examines the lived experience of unexpected news, self-blame, questioning God, accepting disability as a natural part of life, and viewing the developing baby as "a treasure in disguise." Other chapters address tests and terminations, dealing with doctors, sharing the news, and the child who survives.

All of the solid information, advice, and first-person sharing are geared to help parents understand that "love, not intelligence, makes us human" and that every child deserves nurturing, not "an early good-bye" that brings death. I was particularly impressed with the content on dealing with doctors. Though a number of the parents quoted in this section had bad experiences with health care providers, the lessons they learned and additional advice from Nugent are extremely valuable. For example, she suggests that patients take a tape recorder to their appointments, and reminds parents that they may have to educate their doctor and hospital staff. Nugent writes, "Your doctor may never have delivered a child with your child's condition," to introduce a positive story from one parent who formulated her own birth plan and convinced the medical staff to follow it.

My Child, My Gift is PHENOMENAL. I read it in one day and cried all the way through, but it was so inspiring.

I personally know people who will benefit tremendously from My Child, My Gift. It carries a message that helps provide comfort, guidance and even "permission" to a world of hurting people who desperately need to know that it's OK to move in a positive direction when experiencing the pain and confusion of a prenatal diagnosis. I believe this book will not only save and prolong lives, but will help people go through a superior, healthier, more "whole" process when they are faced with a prenatal diagnosis.

Madeline Pecora Nugent has done an incredible job and so have the parents who shared their sorrow, love and expertise in an effort to assure others that they are not alone and that they CAN go through such an experience in a way that honors not only God but also their child, their families and themselves. They teach us that pressing on is bearable and even preferable. I'm in awe.

My Child, My Gift would be a great book to give to parents, doctors, family members, co-workers, crisis pregnancy centers, perinatal hospices, etc.--anyone who deals with moms and dads who need TLC because of this issue. It is an especially useful, convenient resource for parents who could hand it out to those who are closest to them. This would be an efficient, loving and intelligent way of explaining and even validating their positive choices without actually having to personally do so.

My Child, My Gift is a blessing for those who already know what it means to truly love and for those who are learning how.

Medical science is an amazing thing. Mothers can often find out the gender of their child before it is born, but they can also find out terrible news before the baby comes into their life. "My Child, My Gift: A Positive Response to Serious Prenatal Diagnosis" is a look at these unfortunate parents who are faced with a troubling forecast for their children. Seeking to give practical advice to mothers who are considering abortion, "My Child, My Gift" is also a spiritual guide, intended to bring comfort as well as straight talk to expectant mothers who find themselves in this difficult situation. "My Child, My Gift: A Positive Response to Serious Prenatal Diagnosis" is highly recommended for community library parenting collections.