In Episode 5, we discuss the amazing experience that is Fetal Surgery to repair Spina Bifida (Myelomeningocele).  This process includes a surgical repair to a fetus at roughly the half-way point of a pregnancy.  The baby is operated on in-utero and then placed back into the uterus to continue the pregnancy for as long as possible until a "second-birth" is needed.  This procedure comes with some major benefits but also several risks to an otherwise healthy mother and her baby.  We share the entire experience leading up the the day of surgery in this episode.

Subtopics include:

-The MOMS trial: https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/center-fetal-diagnosis-and-treatment/management-myelomeningocele-study 

-A breakdown of some of the positive outcomes of Fetal repair 

-Avoiding the s-word (Shunt)  

-What we were hoping to gain from Fetal Surgery 

-We began to educate our family and friends around the diagnosis, the plan for fetal surgery and potential outcomes 

-Traveling to UCSF: https://fetus.ucsf.edu/spina-bifida/ 

-Navigating career challenges and paid leave 

-Subtle coincidences 

-A fearless mother on the day of surgery

Thank you for listening!

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