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If your child was just diagnosed with Spina Bifida, your excitement
about your new baby may turn into shock, frustration, or anger,
not knowing why this could possibly happen to you. You may need
to believe in a higher power to get you through the reality, that
there may be something special, deep inside you. Many Spina Bifida
parents find that they are actually a chosen group, one that is
capable of overcoming their challenges and can see the many blessings
these children bring.
Spina Bifida is an embryo abnormality that is normally detected
in the first trimester, as it can start in the first four weeks,
before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. Spina Bifida is
a neural tube defect that occurs in 1 out of 1000 newborns in the
United States, and 1 out of 750 in Canada. For some unknown reason,
the embryo's neural tube, (spine, brain and vertebral column) fails
to develop properly, causing varying degree of permanent damage
to any one of these areas.
One of the questions that expectant parents of a child diagnosed
with Spina Bifida are asking is, "how will this affect the child?"
and the answer to that varies. You will need to become acquainted
with the terminology often used, which actually refers to what region
it is believed will be affected, which in turn, can determine the
level of paralysis.
The spine (or spina) is composed of five areas, (and corresponding
vertebrae):
• Cervical (C)-the neck-nearest the skull with 7 vertebrae
• Thoracic vertebrae (T)-next 12 vertebrae below the neck, support
the ribs
• Lumbar vertebrae (L)-5 vertebrae also known as the lower back
• Sacrum
• Coccyx, (the tailbone)
You may hear other Spina Bifida parents referring to their child
as having L2, (2nd vertebrae of the Lumbar) or T10, (10th vertebrae
of the Thoracic), which refers to the highest area where the defect
occurred. It is important to understand the degrees, to understand
the scope of the problem. If you have any problems understanding
the diagnosis, ask your doctors to keep explaining it to you in
very simple terms.
Within the first 24 hours of life, surgery will be performed to
close the opening to the spine. This can be a hard part for many
parents because they just want to hold their baby and comfort it.
It is a natural bonding period they are looking forward to; yet,
the baby is normally put into surgery, almost immediately. Babies
recover with great speed from the closure surgery. Seeing the spirit
of these young babies fight through such a traumatic surgery makes
many parents come to realize what a special gift they and their
child they have been given.
Your child may develop hydrocephalus and may need to have a shunt
placed as well. Hydrocephalus is having too much fluid in the brains
ventricles. Your neurosurgeon will watch carefully for signs of
hydrocephalus developing. It is very common for children with Spina
Bifida to also have hydrocephalus.
Many parents may turn to some sort of Spina Bifida support group,
which has the answers from experienced people that have gone through,
or are going through the same experience as you. There is a saying,
"what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger", and some Spina Bifida
parents may have said this, only to find the satisfaction and pride
they have found in their child is unequaled by any ordinary child.
Katelyn Grace Willett is a busy mom of two boys, one who has spina
bifida. She recommends that you join a spina
bifida support forum as soon as possible after the diagnosis.
Her favorite spina bifida site is SpinaBifidaConnection.com.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com:
When Your Child is Diagnosed With Spina Bifida
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