NO It can’t tell you how much love and joy you’ll share

ALISON Morley, 45, from Cheltenham, writes a blog at downrightjoy.com. She has two daughters, one of whom has Down’s syndrome.

Alison says: ‘This may be the most accurate screening ever, but it won’t tell you, for example, how much joy your baby will give you or how happy they will be – whatever health problems they may have. It won’t tell you how much you will love a child and how much that child will love you back.

‘I found out during my pregnancy, at the first scan, that our daughter Hazel, now four, might have a heart defect and a syndrome such as Turner, or Down’s.

‘Statistically, I was told she was unlikely to survive beyond the 16-week mark, so I didn’t opt to have any further diagnostic tests.

‘But my faith meant that I would never have opted for a termination even though it was offered immediately.

‘Hazel has brought more joy into our lives than we could possibly have imagined.

‘Watching her riding a horse with the biggest smile on her face or hearing her laugh and giggle with her sister reminds me just how thankful I am for her.

‘And, due to medical advances, she may well live a very healthy life well into her 60s.

‘People with any kind of chromosomal condition are still people. I understand why many women want to take tests like these, but they should also be offered the chance to meet families affected by the conditions it flags up – then they can make an informed decision.

‘Perhaps then they will see there is so much more to the child you are carrying than a syndrome.’