Shona Davison on BBC 3 tonight

Thanks for the mention. It’s on now! And repeated lots throughout the week.

Very moving film.

Does give a very clear explanation of PGD and the issues
surrounding it.

34 out of 1500, amazing odds no wonder Shona was
pleased about it.

Two great cats as well !

@shona wrote:

It would be lovely if just one couple who thought they couldn’t have children because they were scared of passing on their genetic condition, realised that there may be a way and went and asked their doctor about it.

My doctors never told me about PGD. I think that’s a shame. Hopefully documentaries and things in the media help people to be more aware of their options.Shona

In Shona’s short time in this documentary she made all the right points.

Especially “Anticipation”, the condition getting worse over generations. Surely
this fact alone will persuad many people that this is the right option.

The discovery of the eight month pregnancy with H.E.D. was
a shaker. This would convince a few doubters.

Hi Taungfox,

They just filmed the two parts, the egg collection and the pregnancy test, though of course there was much more footage. The film wasn’t really about IVF, it was more about the decisions and dilemmas people in Jono’s (and my/our) position face and IVF is just one possibility. Jono is quite well known nowadays (he already had a documentary about him) so people are very interested in his life. It was his follow up documentary, but I was really glad to have a small part in it.

My thoughts on these sorts of decisions are that everybody’s circumstances are different. I would have hated it, if in the documentary, they tried to say one way of having babies was the best way. I think they did a really good job of showing the anguish people face when coming to their decision. In my opinion, the prospective parents should be given all the information they need (I wasn’t, hence me deciding to raise awareness of PGD) and then they can make their own informed decision about what is right for them.

When you are going through this process, you find many people like to tell you their opinions on what you should or shouldn’t be doing. Usually they are people who have no understanding of your life or medical condition. I think that is partly why so many people are secretive about PGD or having prenatal tests. It’s a shame it’s a taboo subject, as that only serves to make the people going through it feel more isolated. I can understand why people keep it private though as the last thing you need when you are on this emotional roller coaster is people judging you.

Steve and I decided on IVF with PGD, but that certainly isn’t the answer for every couple. I meet/speak to many people as the Sheffield contact person for MDSG who have made different decisions to me. I would never judge them, as that is what is right for them. The thing I don’t like to see though is when people are making decisions without knowing the facts (e.g. when they don’t understand about anticipation in Myotonic dystrophy).

Shona

It’s funny Catatude but even my friends who have been reading my blog have been surprised how many appointments I have to go to. They have seen me doing IVF for five years, but I guess I just go to them without necessarily telling people every time. I think of them like going to work, just something I have to do, a means to an end.

I am glad to see the end of the trips to London now though, that is for sure. It’s the end of an era. I am 11 weeks pregnant now so nearly at the less risky stage (second trimester)