Before answering this question, it is necessary to understand what factors determine such a possibility. Knowing about sexuality and the fertility of people in this condition. To do this, let’s look at studies conducted over time and at a real case of a mother with Down syndrome who was able to give birth to her baby in a healthy way.

How is Sexual Development and Behavior?

All individuals, regardless of disability, are sexual beings. Individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities who engage in sexual behaviors, however, may face social prejudice, as well as significant anxiety from parents.

Sexual Dangers

The development of a secure sexual identity is a difficult task even for those who do not have a physical or mental disability. The onset of sexual behaviors in individuals with Down syndrome alarms some parents and caregivers, who understandably fear that their child’s cognitive deficit makes them especially vulnerable:

  • Unintended pregnancy,
  • Sexual exploitation and abuse,
  • Sexually transmitted diseases.

Masturbation, which is rhythmic self-stimulation of the genital area, is a healthy and normal part of self-discovery. The incidence of masturbation in individuals with Down syndrome has been reported as 40% in men and 52% in women.

Fertility in People With Down Syndrome

The significantly impaired fertility of both sexes is evident in the Down syndrome population. Although men have been assumed to be sterile, there is a reported case of a “normal” male baby who was conceived by a man with Down syndrome. Women who have these disorders, on the other hand, have significant fertility: a series of reviews document women with Down syndrome who have carried pregnancies to term, giving birth to babies with and without Down syndrome.

Pregnancy and Down Syndrome

As with any woman, pregnancy is only considered high risk if the pregnant woman has a health problem that justifies extra care, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity. However, the incidence of these conditions is higher in patients with Down syndrome. In addition, it is important to pay attention to prenatal care. Because of lack of information for the pregnant woman and her family, it may happen that a mother with Down syndrome only consults a doctor when the pregnancy is already advanced. Care during pregnancy is the same as those that all other women should take, considering in each case the occurrence or not of the issues mentioned above. The type of delivery is defined according to the general condition of the woman and the baby. If a mother with Down syndrome has a health problem for which vaginal delivery is not indicated, or the baby has some malformation, then cesarean section will be the chosen method. The patient’s wishes are also taken into consideration: if she and her family feel safer with a cesarean, the doctor will likely go with this option. A baby conceived by a mother with Down syndrome is at higher risk for premature birth and low birth weight. For a mother with Down syndrome to have a high-risk pregnancy depends largely on her cognitive level and her medical condition. Obviously, the presence of the above-mentioned diseases, as well as seizure disorders, complicates a pregnancy. The high incidence of congenital heart disease in any baby with Down syndrome contributes to the pregnancy risk, including miscarriage and neonatal death. A baby without Down syndrome has a higher number of congenital anomalies.

Rare Pregnancy

There are still few women who have become mothers with Down syndrome. According to the medical literature, worldwide, there are about 50 documented cases of mothers with Down syndrome. “Men with Down syndrome tend to be sterile, and the probability of women becoming pregnant is about 50%. The chance of these people having a child with the same condition is between 25% and 50%, depending on the characteristics of each individual,” explains Lenir Santos, president of the Brazilian Federation of Down Syndrome Associations.

Brazilian Case of a Mother With Down Syndrome

Maria Gabriela Andrade has Down syndrome and her partner, Fabio Marchetti de Moraes, has an intellectual disability. Both met as children at the Association of Parents and Friends of Exceptional Children (APAE) school. They liked each other from the start, but Fabio changed schools for a few years and, when he returned, his childhood sweetheart was dating another boy, Erik, who also had Down syndrome. Fabio did not give up and fought until he won Gabriela back: to win her over, he would give her boxes of her favorite sweets. Since then, they have never been apart. The parents of both put an extra bed in their homes so that they could stay together. Both their parents and doctors believed that Gabriela could never get pregnant, but they were wrong. Nine years ago, Gabriela began gaining weight. Her mother said it was because she ate a lot, but when they felt that “her belly was moving“, they scheduled an appointment with the gynecologist, who told them that Gabriela was six months pregnant. “It was incredible, we couldn’t believe it. My daughter faced the whole process very calmly and was very happy. Two months later, I already had my granddaughter in my arms,” recalls grandmother Laurinda. Valentina was born a month early, without inheriting the disability from her mother or father. But the joy of the new family was short-lived, when the judge denied Fabio paternity of the girl because he considered Fabio did not have the necessary reasoning skills to exercise parental care. But after several weeks of legal and media battles, the court changed its opinion. “Now we are parents.” We are very happy and ready to care for our little girl,” said Fabio when they registered their daughter at the São Paulo civil court. A year later, in March 2009, Gabriela and Fabio got married. After the wedding, Gabriela had her fallopian tubes tied to avoid having more children. Also See: Nuchal Translucency Photos: Zé Carlos Barretta