Mom talks about expecting baby with gastroschisis

There is no organized support group for “gastro babies” that we are aware of. There is the yahoo group mentioned in the article, but it has only sporadic activity.

A rare birth defect and a success story

Story By: David Tauchen
Source: KOAA

Updated Sun Mar 22, 2009, 09:08 PM MDT

 

Out of a one in ten thousand chance, Adilene was the one. She was born with a rare birth defect called gastroschisis, meaning her intestines were on the outside of her body.

“I was really scared,” said her mother Olivia Williams who learned about the defect after going to the emergency room complaining of abdominal pains. The news she got would be any expecting mother’s worst nightmare.

Gastroschisis can be deadly. There are a whole list of complication associated with the disorder, including infection and organ failure.

“You worry because it could be life or death at any time,” said Williams.

Williams turned to others for information and support, joining a Yahoo group on the internet.

“I felt more comfortable having more information.” continue