Not so long ago, we found out that we were expecting again. Two years after the arrival of a beautiful baby girl, and a year after two almost back to back early miscarriages, we were excited, but wary of what this pregnancy might bring.

Several early ultrasounds and tests showed that the baby was on track, nothing unusual. By seven weeks, morning sickness fiercely set in, and Kelly had to arrange for time off work, and spend most of her days in bed. The morning sickness this time around was much worse than it was with the previous pregnancy; but we were optimistic that it would subside towards the beginning of the second trimester.

We decided we'd wait to tell everyone about the pregnancy until the end of the first trimester. Since the risk of miscarriage drops significantly after hearing a heartbeat and at 12 weeks, it was a safer bet.

At 12 weeks, expectant mothers are given the opportunity to have an ultrasound done as part of Ontario's Integrated Prenatal Screen program which is designed to look for signs that the baby may have genetic or cardiac anomalies. Most people could care less about the screen, but are interested because it is traditionally the first opportunity to have an ultrasound done and see pictures of the developing baby. We had no reason to suspect anything unusual, and given our age and family histories were at no increased risk. We arrived at the diagnostic imaging department at Credit Valley Hospital and after an hour-long wait with a full bladder, Kelly was finally called in to a room. Partners are asked to stay behind.

After the critical measurements are completed, partners are brought in to see a quick overview of the developing baby. Our technician was very anxious, and Kelly mentioned to me that she'd had to leave the room a couple of times, converse with the radiologist and wasn't happy with the measurements she'd gotten. Ontario's IPS combines ultrasound measurements with blood work to fully evaluate risk for various genetic and anatomical conditions; the measurements need to be combined with blood work done on the same day.

Upon seeing the ultrasound measurements, we knew that it was not normal.

Our ultrasound had been scheduled exactly at twelve weeks; since Kelly was already showing, we decided we would start telling our families about the pregnancy. Though we were worried, we spent the next few days and weeks reading about other couples in similar situations whose screens had come back abnormal, but later diagnostic testing had shown everything was fine. It gave us hope.

The following week we saw a genetic counsellor at the hospital who explained our options and test results to us. We had to wait another three weeks to have an amniocentesis done, the only way to know definitively whether or not there was cause for concern. The amnio results would take a couple of days for partial results and up to three weeks for full results.

Two days after our amnio, Kelly got a call at home from genetics who stated they were "calling to wreck her day". Test results confirmed that the baby had a genetic condition not compatible with life; a condition that occurs in approximately 1 in 3000 to 1 in 5000 pregnancies.

There is no medical evidence, or scientific basis to suggest that the previous miscarriages, or this genetic condition are linked in any way other than chance. Bad luck.