Surgery before the baby is born? What you need to know about Spina Bifida

There is probably no more beautiful time in life than the time when you are expecting to become a mother. Every mother dreams of dreaming about the baby growing in her womb for ten months and hoping that everything will be fine. However, sometimes we hear unexpected news from the doctor. Especially after an ultrasound scan during pregnancy, if it is discovered that the baby has some birth defect, the pain and shock that the parents feel is difficult to put into words. Today we are going to talk about 'Spina Bifida', a serious condition, but now with new treatments, there is some hope.

Simply put, what is Spina Bifida?

Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs in the first few weeks of a baby's life. Think of our spine as a protective sheath that protects the spinal cord, a vital nerve system that controls our entire body. In spina bifida, the bones of the spine do not close properly, leaving an opening or hole in the spine.

This opening causes damage to the spinal cord and the nerves that connect to it. This damage can result in serious complications that can affect the child throughout their life.

• Paralysis: Complete or partial loss of function in both legs.
• Bowel and bladder control problems: Inability to control bowel and bladder control when needed.
• Learning disabilities: Some children may have difficulty with learning.
• Hydrocephalus : This is the most common serious complication. Simply put, it is a buildup of fluid in the brain that puts pressure on the brain. Treatment for this usually involves surgically inserting a special tube called a shunt to remove the excess fluid.

Fetal Surgery - What is it really?

Traditionally, when a baby with spina bifida is born, surgery is performed within 48 hours to close the open wound in the back. But even then, some of the nerve damage must have already occurred.

But since the late 1990s, a group of doctors at several hospitals in the United States have begun experimenting with something different, something far more advanced. That is, before the baby is born, while it is still in the mother's womb, they perform surgery to close the wound on the baby's back. This is called 'fetal surgery' or 'fetal surgery'.

Just think, these nerves are further damaged by exposure to the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby while it's in the womb. So, doctors believe that if this is closed early, that damage can be minimized.

This is not 'magic' - what are the risks and results?

Although this raises great hopes, we must understand that this is not a 'magic' that will give the same results to everyone, without risks. This is a very complex and risky surgery that is still in the research stage.

Some children make amazing progress after this surgery. For example, Nicholas, who underwent the surgery, is walking unaided at the age of two and has not needed a shunt in his brain. His mother says that if he had not had the surgery , her son would never have walked like this.

However, not all stories are so happy. Another child, 'Nathan', had to have a shunt placed in his brain at 7 weeks old, and at two years old he still doesn't walk. However, his mental development and intelligence are at a good level for his age.

So you see, right? The results vary greatly from person to person. That's why you should be well aware of the risks before having this surgery.

That difficult decision parents make

Knowing all this, how do parents make such a decision? Let's look at the story of Kelly, whom we talked about earlier. When she learned from a scan at 17 weeks that her baby had spina bifida, she only "for a second" considered an abortion, but when she found out about this surgery, she decided to take all the risks and go for it.

Two weeks after the surgery, the risks really started to materialize. Her uterus began to leak amniotic fluid. So she had to stay in the hospital until the baby was born. She could only see her husband and 7-year-old daughter at home on weekends.

But amidst all this sadness, he tells a very strong story. "I'm glad I had this surgery. Because now I don't have to think, 'Oh, what if I had done that back then?'"

This shows that this is more of a heart-felt decision than a medical one. They know that this won't make the child completely well. But if it can improve the quality of life of the child, reduce the suffering he or she is going through, those parents won't think twice about giving it a chance.

Spina Bifida, Fetal Surgery, Pregnancy, Birth Defects, Intrauterine Surgery, Child Health