Fetal Surgery

I first learned about Fetal Spina Bifida Surgery when I was emailed the picture of Samuel Armas dubbed the "Hand of Hope" soon after Rylie was born.

I think this picture is amazing!

 Prenatal Surgery is done between 19-26 weeks of gestation.




The results show that 42 percent of children who had undergone surgery in the womb were able to walk unassisted at age 3 compared with 21 percent of those who received the surgery postnatally.  Within a year after fetal surgery, children were less likely to need a shunt, a surgically implanted tube that drains fluid from the brain.

I wonder what Len and I would have decided had we been presented with this option and I honestly don't know.  I'm continuously fascinated with this and hope some day, its not necessary to even consider. 

Study indicates Surgery may benefit babies - Spina Bifida Association of Canada

CTV NEWS - Prenatal Surgery for Spina Bifida

The Children's Hospital of Philidelphia