Letter: Questions on antenatal screening for Down's syndrome

Sir: If antenatal tests are supposed to reassure mothers ('Every mother-to-be's nightmare', 25 January), why is so little support offered, or so much distress caused? Why are the methods of abortion that will be employed not explained? Have any studies been undertaken into the threat to bonding between mother and baby?

Even the 'offer' of tests is enough to cause anxiety and distress, as many of my friends found - and I avoided every one of them during my three pregnancies.

Would it not be better to offer help and advice about disability, than terrorise every mother and father in the name of 'reassurance'?

Yours faithfully,

ANN FARMER

Woodford Green, Essex