Andrea Ott-Dahl became a surrogate for a couple struggling to get pregnant. Once it became clear that the baby had Down syndrome and likely other complications, Ott-Dahl and her partner were pressured to abort. They refused, and now are taking care of the baby on their own.
Just two months into the pregnancy, Ott-Dahl found out that their baby had Down syndrome. Denver’s ABC affiliate reported that doctors told them fluid build-up on the back of the baby’s neck would either kill her or cause a severe deformity. Doctors gave the unborn baby girl a 5 percent chance of surviving until birth.
When the baby’s intended mothers heard the diagnosis, they wanted Andrea to abort, according to the report.
“The decision to terminate is our decision alone,” they said.
Andrea disagreed, even after the intended mothers threatened a lawsuit to force her to get an abortion, the report states. Baby Delaney is Andrea’s biological daughter because her eggs were used to create the baby girl’s life.
Ott-Dahl and her partner Keston Ott-Dahl began to research what it meant for a child to have Down syndrome.
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Keston said, “We saw kids that are actors, entrepreneurs, they get married … they do things that any kids can do.”
Indeed, Delaney is now thriving and speaking. Andrea described her as a typical 2-year-old.
“She likes getting into mischief and making messes,” Andrea said. “She loves to dance, all things Elmo, she loves playing with her siblings.”
Not everybody sees it this way, though. LifeNews has previously reported that 90% of babies with Down syndrome are aborted.
The Ott-Dahls are very glad they did not abort their daughter Delaney.
“Honestly, we hit the lottery with Delaney,” Keston said.
