Gastroschisis

I found out at 12 weeks pregnant that harry had gastroschisis and then the roller coaster of emotions started . Trying not to worry was hard every day i cryed and it really took its toll on mine and my partners realationship, Being happy that i was pregnant but allso the unsertantiey of whever harry would survive. From the 12 week scan i was sent to st mary’s hospital Manchester 3 days later were i had another scan at this point it was  explained to me about gastroschisis and what would happen through - out my pregnancy . The Doctors at st Mary’s were helpful and frank they were straight to the point and did not give any false hope . They simplyy told me every gastroschisis baby is different. On the 8th July i was induced at st Mary’s the birth was extreamly quick and Harry was born at 6lbs i saw harry for a few seconds and then he was taken up to special care. Shortly after i was brought pictures of harry and spoken to by the surgeon . The surgeon told me and Jordan that harry bowl was completely out it had a skin around it so they did not know if it was alive and that harry was on the survive end. They explained to me that he would be going to theater that day to put the bowl in a silo bag in a attempt to get the bowl back in . Day by day the bowl went back in and when harry was a week old the bowl was back inside his body. Harry stomach went softer and he was started to be given some milk see sawing we the tpn . When in hospital harry got an infection in his line however this is not uncommon . At just under 4 weeks old Harry was discharged . Harry is still having the occasional wash out but it is not uncommon for babies with this condition. I am now just hoping that he stays strong and keeps well.

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My daughter Sophie was born in April 2006. She was diagnosed with gastroschisis at my 12 week scan and the roller coaster began. I find it hard to believe now but we discussed terminating the pregnancy, such was the fear of this condition we had never even heard of.

Sophie was born 7 weeks early. I started having contractions and they tried to delay them for 4 days, finally deciding to go ahead with a C section.

Like any mother, I cannot really convey the emotion of overwhelming love I felt at that moment. But the hard part was just starting.

Sophie was operated on the following day but had complications and proceeded  to have 3 more operations over a 4 month stay in hospital. She contracted infection after infection and 3 months after she was born she developed such a serious one that she nearly died. Those 4 days in intesive care were horrific. We saw other babies pass away as we prayed for ours to live. We even had her baptised incase she never made it. She did. Thankyou God. Maybe those daily visits to the hospital chapel and tearful pleadings helped sway him. Whatever the case, I am now in his debt and will always be.

A month after that time in intesive care, Sophie came home from hospital. July 21st 2006. I cried my eyes out with happiness on the journey home and I will always swear that she looked at me with the most loving gaze I have ever seen, I took that as “We made it Mum”.

Sophie is now 20 months old and a bright, happy, mischevious little soul who is our world. She had some diet issues for the first year but these have all been ironed out and she is now a normal toddler with a normal appetite! Her scar is not nice, but this is a very small price to pay for her life.

I do not envy anyone at the start of their journey with gastro and I hope my story does not scare. I just had to be honest about the emotional journey that we had to travel to get where we are. But I tell you today - It was worth every minute to have our daughter in our lives.

Lots of love and best wishes.

Kx

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