Some would say running a marathon is crazy. So running a marathon 10 months after having a baby would just be ridiculous? Well that's exactly what I'm doing whilst trying to raise some money for an amazing charity

Whilst pregnant with Imogen, antenatal screening tests showed she was at high risk for having Downs Syndrome.  Luckily, East Surrey hospital was linked to London's St Thomas', so we were offered a further non-invasive test (NIPT) which offered a 99.9% accurate result. Had we gone to the hospital closest to us, we wouldn't have had this option, leaving only the invasive tests that carries a risk of miscarriage to determine Imogen's health. 

The 2 week wait for the results was agonising enough. However ARC was a much needed source of information and support whilst we tried to understand what was happening. Imogen was born safe and well but not all parents get positive results. It seems crazy that despite accurate and safer antenatal tests existing, it's down to pure luck as to whether they're available in your hospital. 

So whilst I tick the London Marathon off the bucket list, with your generous donations I'll be raising money for ARC so that they can continue to help parents throughout all stages of the antenatal screening processes, provide training to healthcare professionals and hopefully some day change the policies in place so that everyone is offered the safest tests regardless of where they're being treated. 

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About ARC: 

Over 20,000 expectant parents a year are told that their baby may have a genetic or structural condition. We provide parents with non-directive information and support before, during and after antenatal screening. We also provide training and support to help you provide the best possible care to every parent who faces a suspected or diagnosed fetal anomaly.