Down Syndrome Pregnancy, Baptism and Anointing

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I am currently 14 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. After a recent ultrasound and blood test, I was told that the baby is at a very high risk for Down Syndrome. Next week we will receive the results of a final blood test that is 99% accurate and will give us a yes or no answer. I will not be doing amnio, cvs or any other invasive test that could cause a miscarriage, no matter how small the risk.

We would however like to be prepared for delivery and our first weeks with the baby. Down syndrome babies have a 50% chance of having a congenital heart defect and 75% chance of hearing impairment in addition to their intellectual disability. Here are my questions::confused:

1.) Do you think it’s possible or necessary to request that a priest be available to baptize the baby immediately after birth?

2.) If it is not possible, can my husband baptize the baby shortly after birth? (I will have just had a c-section, so will most likely be unable to.) If he does, do we just tell the church later to get the baptism recorded? How does all of that work?

3.) Can babies receive anointing of the sick? If the baby needs heart surgery or has some other medical complication, is it old enough?

4.) If I receive anointing prior to delivery, are the graces passed on to the baby?

5.) Is there anything else spiritually that I should think about or address before the birth?

Any thoughts you have on these matters, or any personal experiences are welcome. In addition, please pray for my family and my baby. We don’t know what the baby’s name will be for sure yet, but we do know it will start with “R.” So, please keep baby R in your prayers and ask that Mary will be mother to both of us during this time.

Thanks.
 
Abundant said:
1.) Do you think it’s possible or necessary to request that a priest be available to baptize the baby immediately after birth?
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Yes, you can ask the priest to come to the hospital to baptize your child since there are expectations of complications. He may also confirm in danger of death.
Abundant said:
2.) If it is not possible, can my husband baptize the baby shortly after birth? (I will have just had a c-section, so will most likely be unable to.) If he does, do we just tell the church later to get the baptism recorded? How does all of that work?
Click to expand...
You or your husband should only baptize in a true emergency, where death is imminent and no priest or deacon is available. Otherwise, the priest or deacon should do the baptism. If you do have to emergency baptize, then yes you need to report it to your priest immediately afterwards for recording in the sacramental records. He can also supply the additional rites such as anointing with chrism, baptismal garment, candle, etc.
Abundant said:
3.) Can babies receive anointing of the sick? If the baby needs heart surgery or has some other medical complication, is it old enough?
Click to expand...
No. Anointing is for those over the age of reason.
Abundant said:
4.) If I receive anointing prior to delivery, are the graces passed on to the baby?
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The sacramental grace of anointing is received by the one anointed, which is you.
Abundant said:
5.) Is there anything else spiritually that I should think about or address before the birth?
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I think you have thought of everything. Prayer for you, one of my friends was told this as well, but her son did not have Down’s.
 
1ke said:
Yes, you can ask the priest to come to the hospital to baptize your child since there are expectations of complications. He may also confirm in danger of death.

You or your husband should only baptize in a true emergency, where death is imminent and no priest or deacon is available. Otherwise, the priest or deacon should do the baptism. If you do have to emergency baptize, then yes you need to report it to your priest immediately afterwards for recording in the sacramental records. He can also supply the additional rites such as anointing with chrism, baptismal garment, candle, etc.

No. Anointing is for those over the age of reason.

The sacramental grace of anointing is received by the one anointed, which is you.

I think you have thought of everything. Prayer for you, one of my friends was told this as well, but her son did not have Down’s.
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Well stated.
 
Abundant said:
I am currently 14 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. After a recent ultrasound and blood test, I was told that the baby is at a very high risk for Down Syndrome. Next week we will receive the results of a final blood test that is 99% accurate and will give us a yes or no answer. I will not be doing amnio, cvs or any other invasive test that could cause a miscarriage, no matter how small the risk.

We would however like to be prepared for delivery and our first weeks with the baby. Down syndrome babies have a 50% chance of having a congenital heart defect and 75% chance of hearing impairment in addition to their intellectual disability. Here are my questions::confused:

1.) Do you think it’s possible or necessary to request that a priest be available to baptize the baby immediately after birth?

2.) If it is not possible, can my husband baptize the baby shortly after birth? (I will have just had a c-section, so will most likely be unable to.) If he does, do we just tell the church later to get the baptism recorded? How does all of that work?

3.) Can babies receive anointing of the sick? If the baby needs heart surgery or has some other medical complication, is it old enough?

4.) If I receive anointing prior to delivery, are the graces passed on to the baby?

5.) Is there anything else spiritually that I should think about or address before the birth?

Any thoughts you have on these matters, or any personal experiences are welcome. In addition, please pray for my family and my baby. We don’t know what the baby’s name will be for sure yet, but we do know it will start with “R.” So, please keep baby R in your prayers and ask that Mary will be mother to both of us during this time.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Praying to Our Lady of Quadalupe for you & your baby.
 
Baptism by a priest shouldn’t be a problem. Just let your priest know in advance so he can be available. If he can’t be available, then he might be able to recommend someone who can be. Especially if this is by C-section. And he may be able to address some of your other concerns as well.
 
Hello,

Your little one isn’t born yet and has already been blessed with a faithful and loving Mammy. 😊

I pray that all will be well with the birth of your baby and that she will bless your family as much as your gentle care is blessing her.

Warmest regards,

Jenny x
 
Congratulations. 🙂 I have a son with Down’s. It is hard and worrying when they are in the womb-all the what ifs. It can be hard when you haven’t met them yet-same as any child. Congratulations again:)
 
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