In Memory of Dr. George Tiller
August 8, 1941 - May 31, 2009
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Lovingly Dedicated to All AHC Babies
Pregnancy does not end happily for everyone. Sadly, some parents receive grim prenatal news that something is seriously or fatally wrong with their loved and wanted unborn baby. They have to make a decision about continuing or ending pregnancy. We realize that all parents make a loving choice, one they feel is better for their baby. Regardless of the fetal anomaly found, the decision to end a pregnancy is always a difficult one.
Although it is estimated that between 80 and 95 percent of parents receiving a severe prenatal diagnosis choose to end the pregnancy, those who face this nightmare often feel alone. There is very little in the way of support programs for them. With this site and the dedication of courageous parents willing to reach out, we hope to create a safe haven of encouragement, validation, hope and healing.
New Sections
Trisomy 18
Mothers tell their stories
Hope For Your Future
AHC Moms Share Long-Term Perspectives on Grief and Recovery
Kansas Stories
When our heartbreak is compounded by unreasonable laws, traveling to Kansas is sometimes our only option.
Featured Articles
Taken Much Too Early
Diagnosis: Maternal Renal Failure and IUGR
Referrals, Delays, and Late Termination
Diagnosis: Posterior Urethral Valves (PUV)
No Guarantees
Diagnosis: DiGeorge Syndrome
Garrett's Story
Diagnosis: Anencephaly
The Worsts News Imaginable
Diagnosis: Anencephaly
Our IVF Miracle became a Tragedy
Diagnosis: Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, Hydrocephalus
Putting It Behind You
Diagnosis: Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus
Some Things They Couldn't Find
Diagnosis: Potter's Syndrome
In the Hands of the Lord
Diagnosis: Ruptured Amniotic Sac
Our Beautiful Son and Brother
Diagnosis: Anencephaly
Missing Simon
Diagnosis: Trisomy 18
Our Live Have Changed Forever
Diagnosis: Spina Bifida
Just Unlucky
Diagnosis: Potter's Syndrome
Our Sweet Little Angel
Diagnosis: Severe Ventriculomegaly & Hydrocephalus
Personal Stories
Links to all personal stories posted on our site
Listserv Mailing List
The AHC mailing list is a closed and moderated mailing list designed to protect your privacy but provide e-mail with other parents (Dads are included) who have ended a pregnancy either due to birth defects or risk to wellbeing of the mother. It is available to anyone with an email address who has ended a wanted pregnancy.
Discussion Board
AHC now has its own private discussion board available. Using this board does not require e-mail. As with our listserv, the private forums on our board are open only to those who've ended a pregnancy following a catastrophic prenatal diagnosis. Visit the link to learn how to join.
Grandparent's Forum
We now offer a grief support forum just for grandparents. This forum is open to those who have a daughter or daughter-in-law who has ended a pregnancy following a catastrophic prenatal diagnosis. Visit the link to join the discussion.
Share With Us
If you are a parent who has ended a pregnancy and would like to contribute your story to this site, please e-mail your personal story, poetry, journal entry, suggestions, etc. to us.
Memorial Rose Garden
A special place to post a memorial in honor of your cherished baby.
Nuevo!
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If You Would Like To Donate
To date this site has been created and maintained entirely by volunteers. As the costs of hosting and maintaining this website continue to rise, even a contribution of a dollar or two will help to maintain this important resource! If you would like to donate you can do so using PayPal and entering webmaster@aheartbreakingchoice.com as the donation recipient in the TO: Box on the right. All money donated goes directly to the maintenance, hosting and software costs of this important resource as well as the upkeep of the Memorial Rose Garden.
A Word To Our Visitors
For those of you who have come here for support, we are sorry this note has to be written. As stated above, this is a site for parents who have made the decision to end a much-wanted pregnancy due to severe or lethal birth defects. As we reach out to those parents, we also get site visitors who have not been through this tragedy. We would like to remind those people that this is a site for grieving parents, not for debate.
Peace,
The Moderators of A Heartbreaking Choice