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In the past, all children who were born with a disability or health problem only received care after months or perhaps years of life until they reached a closed diagnosis of their problem. Nowadays, with the evolution of medicine and its technology it is already possible not only to treat early, but to discover even before birth that something is not within the expected. And now medicine goes even further, with surgery on the baby in the womb.
Through the ultrasound exams requested during the prenatal period, it is possible to monitor the entire evolution of the fetus, as well as its growth, organ and limb formation and detail the health conditions even in the first weeks of pregnancy.
As of the 12th week of pregnancy, it is possible to verify through the morphological ultrasound the existence of some abnormality. What was previously necessary to wait for the birth to take some measures, today it is already possible to intervene in some changes and deformities with the baby still in the womb in full development.
First Surgery in Brazil
On 01/05/2013, Brazil experienced, through the hands of doctor Denise Pedreira at Hospital Samaritano, the first surgery still inside the womb. Little Joaquim received the correction of his spina bifida that was detected through ultrasound examination in his mother’s prenatal care. During the examination, it was verified that there was an anomaly in the formation of the bones of the spine and that it would not be closed until the day of birth, allowing direct contact of the spinal cord with the amniotic fluid.
IMPORTANT: The use of folic acid during pregnancy is extremely important and must be started even before conception or shortly after the discovery of pregnancy. Folic acid helps prevent diseases in the neural tube, prevent malformation and aids in the development of the fetus’ brain.
The contact of the liquid with the spine can develop even greater disorders like hydrocephalus or completely affect the movements of the spine that do not allow the child to walk in the future. The procedure performed with little Joaquim, occurred in the 25th gestational week and after completion, the follow-up was satisfactory until the day of his birth. Joaquim was born at the age of 7 months, on 06/15/2013 and showed significant improvements in the hydrocephalus that already existed.
But when we think of a surgery on the baby in the womb it is scary isn’t it? None of this, this procedure is less invasive every day and uses more and more delicate methods without scary cuts. And best of all, it allows babies to have a better chance of life and to be born healthy through this intervention while still inside the mother’s belly.
How is Baby Surgery Performed in the Uterus?
There are two methods that can be used in surgery on the baby while still in the womb. One is the cut in the abdomen where the uterus must be opened until it reaches the baby and the doctors have full control and vision to handle their instruments thoroughly. In this case, the risks of uterine rupture are very high. Another method, which is the most desired option and considered less invasive, is that of endoscopic surgery , where through small holes in the belly of the pregnant woman it is possible to enter the camera and surgical instruments.
Neither method is considered simple and quick procedures, as they need extra attention because they have two lives at stake and whether or not the pregnant woman is also undergoing surgery. But thanks to this evolution of medicine it is possible to save more and more lives and provide a healthy life for those who would be condemned to anomalies and congenital problems for life.
The device developed by researchers and specialists in fetal medicine has earned the name of fetoscope and is so delicate that it measures up to 2 millimeters. This micro instrument guarantees entry into the uterus without offering risk of rupture, as it would be in the cutting procedure. Surgery on the baby in the womb is indicated for cases such as little Joaquim, who are diagnosed with spina bifida still in the development stage or problems with the heart and the functioning of its valves.
The same procedure can be used in cases of fetal fetus transfusion syndrome (in the case of twin pregnancies , one twin receives more blood than the other). Now the focus is on the development of a new procedure, where it will be possible to treat babies with heart failure (slow heart), implanting a pacemaker through ultrasound, allowing to correct the problem in detail.
Does Surgery Have Risks?
Obviously, any surgical procedure presents risks and is no different in the case of surgery on the baby inside the womb. The risk of complications is evident mainly for the baby, but the chances of saving him and correcting the problems found are even greater.
Thanks to advances in medicine and the desire of specialists to solve health problems more and more prematurely, babies still in their mothers’ womb are grateful for the new chance!
See Also: Folic Acid in Pregnancy Prevents Malformation
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
