children with the problem, beyond perhaps seeing them in the delivery room? Probably not. Parents need to get information from other parents who have been there, and learn what kinds of support resources are available.

In some cases, the child is not expected to live long after birth. The doctor will very often advise abortion, presumably because they see no point in waiting months for an inevitable death. But is the diagnosis 100% accurate? If a parent had a born child with a terminal illness, would they kill them? Or would they savor every moment they have with their beloved child, and continue to pray for healing? Perinatal hospice programs are now available in many places to support parents who are continuing a pregnancy with a child who is expected to die before or shortly after birth. (1)

In January of 2018, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Office of Pro-Life Activities launched Jerome’s Hope, a program to support parents with an adverse pre-natal diagnosis. They want parents to know in advance that help is available, before they are pressured into a decision to abort by their doctor. Volunteers who have experienced the birth of a child with a major abnormality or the loss of a child in the womb or shortly after birth are trained to offer help to parents facing a similar situation. (2)

1. https://www.perinatalhospice.org/list-of-programs 

2. https://www.archgh.org/offices-ministries/pastoral-educational-ministries/office-of-pro-life-activities/jeromes-hope/