When To Repair The Spina Bifida Birth Defect -- A Tough New Choice
When To Repair The Spina Bifida Birth Defect -- A Tough New Choice
As modern technology progresses there are always going to be new choices available. New options for treatment. New chances for an improved life. But some of these choices carry with them a steep price in more than monetary terms. The potential benefits and pitfalls of these choices must be carefully considered.
Such an advancement has occurred for parents whose still developing fetal child is diagnosed with spina bifida. Extensive testing must be performed to determine the location, severity and nature of the babies' defect. If it falls within certain parameters then it is likely to be benefited by performing the surgery. This will (at this point in time) only be about 25% of spina bifida cases. Also, the diagnoses must be made before the mid-term of the pregnancy.
After decades of research and studies, there is now a medical procedure available as an option to parents who would like to pursue it. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has recently announced the results of their study into Fetal Surgery for In Utero Repair of Spina Bifida Defect.
It takes at least an hour just to get the basics of the study and all of the findings, so I have extracted some of the major points. My purpose is to give you a good head start on some pros and cons for this procedure. After reviewing these considerations you can decide whether or not to spend more time in pursuit of this option.
Pros of Fetal Surgery
Doubles the odds that your child will be able to walk. (20% without surgery, 40% with surgery)
Reduces the need for shunting of brain fluid.
Improves general mobility and stability. The health and function of the entire spinal cord is improved because continued deterioration of the nerves is avoided.
Improves chances of more normal bowel and bladder function.
Cons of Fetal Surgery
Surgery.
From the mother's perspective, this surgery is basically the same as a Cesarian Section without actually removing the baby from the womb. From the babe's perspective, the repair of the defect is basically the same as would be done after being born full-term, but it is performed through an opening in the mothers belly. This is done around 19-20 weeks into the pregnancy. The mother's womb and belly are then closed. All of the following 'cons' are a result of the surgery.
Increased chance for premature birth.
The invasive nature of the surgery increases the chance that the baby will be born prematurely.
Hospital Confinement for the Duration of the Pregnancy.
Since the womb has been "tampered with" and the chances for premature birth are increased, the mother is required to spend the duration of the pregnancy in the hospital. Movement and activities are kept at a minimum. There is constant medical monitoring. The mother needs to consider the "cabin fever" factor and the husband is going to become "Mr. Mom" for the next 4-5 months.
Planned C-Section birth.
Some may not consider this a 'con', but it is another surgery and does require more time for the mother to heal than after a normal vaginal delivery. This is required because the original incision made to perform the repair is not strong enough to endure the labor process.
If you are in this situation, my heart goes out to you. Our doctors advised against this procedure, mostly from the parental impact point of view. Now that the "study" phase of the procedure is finished there is so much more information available.
Visit www.findjoyinspecialneeds.com to learn more.
Car repairing - some important facts The Fastest Way To Repair The PS3 YLOD Car Repair Vancouver Steps To Remove Windows Diagnostic - How To Remove Windows Diagnostic The Easy Way Create a Windows XP Login Password Top 5 Windows 7 System Tools Disable Content Advisor in Windows 7 Registry Easy Cleaner Review-Registry Clean Programs Shed Windows - Essential Considerations When Selecting Your Windows Be Ready With Hurricane Windows In Florida Laptop Repair Videos Torrent-Podnutz Laptop Repair Videos Plumbing errors and their quick repairs Windows Flashing Icons Fix - How To Resolve shortcut icons flashing on your desktop