“at 22 weeks pregnant we found out that our little man was poorly through his routine scan and at 25 weeks he was diagnosed with mosaic patau syndrome we choose life and to give our little man the best chance we could, i respect every parent that is faced with this decision no matter the path they choose that's because i have have walked this path and understand it disgusts me that people feel they can judge this couple, me and anyone else that as been in this situation when they don't know or understand not even a little bit what they are going through and if you did understand you would know its not just as simple as terminating a pregnancy, this is a child that has kicked that you feel move that you have seen on a scan for me he caused me heartburn and I loved it, the hospital would have had to end his life and I would have had to go through labour, I have met wonderful children that are living happy lives filled with love that have Edwards and patau's my little man didn't make it he was born sleeping at 35 weeks on the 1st July only 5weeks ago it hurts like hell that he's gone to play with all the other angels but I wouldn't have changed a thing, as for planning the funeral before again you don't know what you would do until you are faced with this situation my husband and I discussed all outcome for our little Antony and him passing away was one possible outcome not one that we wanted but one we couldn't change and we discussed the funeral and what we wanted as we was worried that if we left it till after he might not have got the best send off we could give him, I am glad that we did talk about it before because trust me loosing your child is the hardest thing in the world to go through, I would like to thank Donna and Dave for sharing there story with us and send them lots of love.”

“'So they've planned her funeral even though there may be a chance of this little girl living for a while? Sounds pretty messed up to me...'

Victoria, Glos

Something that has to be done, Victoria, and as they explained, better done now than later. It's 'messed up' of the paper to focus on it, but what's new?”

“I really hope that the people who posted negative comments never have to go through this experience. Who is to say what is right or wrong - only the parents can make that decision and it is not any easy one to make.
My son was born in 1999 with Trisomy 13 - it is very similar to Edwards and the "prognosis' is the same. His syndrome was not picked up on any pre-natal tests and was a complete shock. He had beaten all the odds and he lived for 36 incredibly precious hours. I cannot say what decision I would have made had it been diagnosed on pre-natal tests - but I know that with my subsequent pregnancy I would have continued even if I received the same diagnosis. I cannot imagine my life without him being in my arms and I would rather that he died inside me naturally than be aborted. My son was stable and peaceful and passed away in my arms and I will treasure that memory forever. The difficult thing with these syndromes is that 2 baby's can have the exact same anomalies and their outcomes be completely different. I'm not here to bash the people who would choose not to continue the pregnancy - I RESPECT any decision made by parents who have walked in our shoes even if it is not the decision I would have made. However, it is always difficult to be judged harshly by people who have the luxury and good fortune of not being in this situation.
I wish Donna all the best and I hope that she finds peace with the decisions she has made for her beautiful Millie - and that she gets her wish of being able to hold her beautiful girl. As with all things in life you have to follow where your heart leads - whether you agree with Donna's decision or not please never doubt the love she feels for her daughter and remember that it is never as easy as it appears from the outside looking in.”

“I am so sorry for the completely unnecessarily negative comments on this item. Children born with this condition deserve to be given the chance of life, however briefly. Its not "messed up" or "cruel and selfish". I suggest that the negative commentators walk even half a mile in shoes of these brave parents before throwing cheap shots on the internet. Stacey, Tracey, Helen, Jeanette, Jo and Pauline - you all have my admiration & love. You are all amazing women xx”

“i fail to see how it would be kinder for a child to be killed in the womb by a lethal injection to the heart than allowing nature to take its course the baby will not suffer when born or when the time comes for the baby to grow his/her wings, victoria you have no idea do you edwards syndrome is terminal to cure no chance for the baby to live for very long, it may be a way for the parents to keep busy and save making desicions when the time comes and it has to be done there and then. anon..... i sugest you read up on edwards syndrome and imagine if you were told your baby may live even if it is for a few minutes would you not jump at the chance knowing your baby would not make it. any mother would rather see their baby alive than otherwise, when i was told my son would be lucky to be born alive all i could do was pray he would be born alive even for a little while, i was over the moon when i found out my hospital were wrong and my son was fine, do not pass judgment on some thing you have no idea on and no idea how it would affect any one”

“10th of June,2009, at 10 minutes past midnight,my son, Simon, was born. He was diagnosed at 26 weeks gestation with Full Edwards Syndrome,a condition that had been explained to us as terminal,no hope of life. He was our first child. At 26 weeks I would have had to have him slowly die inside me with an injection to the heart, and give birth to him as i would a healthy child. Problem was....my baby had already beaten the odds by getting as far as he already had. Who am I or you, to decide when he should die? There is a thing called nature, that although can be cruel at times, that will decide when it was his time to go. At 31 weeks,Simon decided it was his time to come into this world, be it alive or not. I prayed for those 6 weeks just to have 5 minutes with him. Thats all I wanted,5 minutes, but he blessed us all with an hour of his life. And in that hour there was more love and togetherness in a family, than most people get in a lifetime. Simons story also reaches out to others through the wonderful charity SOFT, who were the only charity to help us. Alot of people loose loved ones and never get to say good bye. We had time, time to grieve, time to plan, time to make our last goodbyes perfect. My son suffered no pain and died peacefully in my arms at 1:10am. People who have never been through this or lost a child, have no understanding of the situation and therefore their opinions only reflect the level of their mentality.”

“Sorry, but to me this doesn't sound courageous, it sounds incredibly selfish and cruel. Why go full term to give birth to a baby destined to either die very young or be stillborn?
She says 'there is only a slight chance she will survive and the most likely thing is that she will die inside me before she is born' so why carry on?”

“I gave birth to my ninth child in September 2008. Darcy Anne lived 15 precious days and we had to make a lifetime of memories in those short days. It is such a bittersweet journey and one that is destined to change your life. I will never be the same and am forever changed. You can see little Darcy Anne at www.darcyanne. You can also read about my journey in the book that I wrote about her, Letters to Darcy. I am praying for you and your family. God bless,

Tracy Ramos”

“I carried an Edward's baby, she died at 14 weeks gestation, but we too wanted to continue with the pregnancy as she was our daughter and we loved her already. I would not judge any decision as it is most likely the hardest one anyone will have to make. My thoughts are with Donna and Dave, I hope you will find the strength that you need and are able to enjoy every memory you have with Millie.”

“Why should this baby not be given a chance, she has a chance, no matter how small of living a happy life for several years. My daughter lived for 3 wonderful happy days with a similar condition and she spent time at home with her family who love her. She never suffered at all, just because they have a short life does not mean they suffer. She passed away peacefully in my arms and I have never for one second regretted continuing with my pregnancy, my daughter has touched more people in her short life than most people will in 80yrs.
Living with the knowledge that you may not meet your baby whilst at the same time hoping you are one of the lucky ones who may get their child for several years, is not something you can understand unless you have been there, Victoria & 'anon' so do not judge until you have walked in their shoes (& pray you never have to) . You do what you have to do to get through each day until the precious moment you meet your baby.
No one is guarenteed a baby at the end of a pregnancy, there are many things not diagnosable before birth, many illnesses, cot death, accidents that can all take a life too soon. All life is precious no matter how long. I hope the Dickinsons get to tell their precious baby Millie how much she is loved when she is born. No matter what the outcome they will not regret their opinion to contiue.”