How to Cope With Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis is the most frequently seen congenital anomaly in pediatric surgery and happens in about one out of every 2,000 births. Gastroschisis is a hole in the abdominal wall that lets the abdominal organs protrude outside the body. It is very frightening for new parents, but most often the defect can be totally repaired and the baby will recover completely. Read on to learn how to cope with gastroschisis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Get an early diagnosis. This abnormality can be seen on ultrasound at about 14 weeks of pregnancy. It most frequently occurs with the first-born child and is always obvious at birth.
2. Expect to have a cesarean delivery if an ultrasound verifies gastroschisis. Usually the physician does weekly ultrasounds from 30 weeks on in these babies to watch for bowel wall thickening. If this is seen, the baby is delivered early to limit bowel damage.
3. Prepare to see the infant's organs protruding from the abdomen upon delivery. This may be a frightening experience. The physician will quickly seal the intestines in a plastic pouch to protect them from the air.
4. Realize that the defect will require some surgeries. The intestines are slowly pushed back into the abdomen over a period of time and additional surgeries may be needed later to repair abdominal muscles.
5. Understand that the baby may be placed on a ventilator because putting the intestines back in the abdomen increases pressure in the area and may cause breathing difficulties. Also, the baby will be given intravenous (IV) fluids, antibiotics, pain medications and oxygen. He will also have a nasal gastric tube (NG) to keep the stomach empty until the intestines begin to work normally.
6. Know that gastroschisis is a frightening experience for new parents, but the condition, in most cases, can be totally repaired and the baby will recover completely.