Trisomy Oz Prenatal Support
Trisomy Oz is neither 'pro choice' nor 'pro life'. We are pro CURRENT and ACCURATE information. No parent should be asked to make decisions for their unborn child without it.
Welcome to Trisomy Oz ...
A website inspired by the life of Daniel Sean Sheffield 7.7.07 – 9.7.07.
Dedicated to all those with trisomy 13 and similar disorders, whether they be long-term survivors or treasured memories.
And to any parent who has ever received a difficult prenatal diagnosis.
Who we are
In March 2007 our second son Daniel was prenatally diagnosed with trisomy 13, a condition considered to be ‘not compatible with life’. Daniel was born on July 7, 2007 and was with us for 32 hours before dying peacefully in my arms. Our brief time together changed our lives profoundly and irreversibly. We have experienced first-hand the many difficult choices confronting those who receive this type of prenatal diagnosis, and understand that in many cases, parents are asked to make these choices without accurate information or adequate emotional support.
We aim to change this.
What is Trisomy 13?
Trisomy 13 is a chromosomal disorder which occurs at the time of conception, when the mother's egg and the father's sperm each contribute 23 chromosomes to the developing baby's cells. Each cell should have a total of 46 chromosomes. Sometimes either the egg or the sperm contributes an extra chromosome to the embryo, resulting in a third chromosome, rather than the usual pair. A baby diagnosed with trisomy 13 will have an additional copy of the number 13 chromosome in his or her cells. More...
Daniel's Book
Our time with Daniel inspired me
to write a book to raise awareness
of conditions like trisomy 13, and
increase support and understanding
for parents who face a difficult
prenatal diagnosis. Find out more...
