THE SECOND BABY – CASE
Mrs S. was desperate for a second child when she first arrived at the clinic. Her first child was conceived easily and was now about to start school. She had developed polycystic ovarian disease and was grossly overweight. A regime of ovulation induction was carried out successfully for six months but no pregnancy was achieved. The doctor was wondering how she could manage the next visit because she knew that Mrs S. could not afford an assisted conception programme. She need not have worried. Mrs S. hurried into the clinic saying that she had made up her own mind. ‘I’ve finished grieving for the baby that has not happened,’ she said. ‘I want to live my own life for a while. I’m starting a job next week.’ She had been through a lot of heartache, seeing friends and relatives with babies, but she had managed to lose some weight and with the help of the clinic staff she had been able to make her own choices.
Mrs S. had continuous support throughout her treatment in an environment where she had been encouraged to make her own decisions, including whether or not to have treatment, and when to stop. Others need more than this, especially when there is the added problem of mental or physical disability in the first baby. It is not just the obvious problem of managing to cope with another child at home, but consideration of whether there is a likelihood of the next baby having the same problem. Genetic advice must be sought, and discussions with a counsellor and perhaps self-help groups should be offered. Much of the personal assessment for the two individuals concerned is to do with how much fault they attribute to themselves for the disability in the child.
*126/197/1*
