Changing attitudes have led to an increase in the number of babies in England and Wales being born with Down's syndrome, according to latest figures.
The numbers have risen to a higher level than in 1989 when serum pre-natal screening was widely introduced.
The charity Down's Syndrome Association has consulted parent members to try to understand why more women opted to go ahead with their pregnancies when their fetus had tested positive for the condition.
Since 1989, when screening for Down's syndrome was introduced, the number of babies born with the condition steadily fell from 717 to just 594 in 2000, but the numbers rose again to 749 in 2006, the latest year for which figures from the National Down's Syndrome Cytogenetic Register are available.
The results of the Down's Syndrome Association survey of 1,000 parents, done in association with the BBC, showed that many people believe the quality of life for people with Down's syndrome will be better than in the past and that those with Down's syndrome are now more accepted in society.
Down's Syndrome Association chief executive Carol Boys said: “We are all very surprised by this. It wasn't what any of us working in the field would have anticipated and it seems to show that more parents are thinking more carefully before opting for prenatal screening and termination - that being born with Down's syndrome is being seen in a different light today.
“When I and others had our babies it was a very different world - those with Down's syndrome were treated very differently. Now there is much greater inclusion and acceptance, with mainstream education having a huge role.”
The survey showed that while religious or pro-life beliefs were given in around a third of cases, there were other key factors identified by parents.
Initial results showed that 25% said they already knew people with Down's syndrome or other disabilities and that had influenced their decision to continue with the pregnancy.
Just over a third (35%) said they felt life and society had improved for people with Down's syndrome and most respondents said they felt supported by their family and friends.
