We are expecting Child Number Two imminently, as many of you already know. Since Christmas, we have known that the baby has an abdominal wall defect called an Exomphalos Major. As lots of people have asked about visiting etc, we thought that we would send out some info before the baby arrives.
The baby will be delivered by C-section on Thursday May 19th around 9.30am at the RVI (Royal Victoria Infirmary) in Newcastle. We know that ‘it’ is a ‘she’, so Ella will have a little Geordie sister!
We have been given odds of around 50-75% survival for the baby, but the RVI is a brilliant hospital and we are quietly hopeful that we will be able to bring home a healthy little girl eventually. If the problem can be fixed then the long-term outlook for the baby is very good and she will only have a nasty scar on her tummy to remind her of her tricky start in life.
If you would like to send cards the address is:
Maternity Unit
RVI
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP
We would prefer not to receive gifts for the baby whilst she is in hospital. We will, however, send out an announcement as soon as she is home and hope to receive a deluge of gorgeous presents!
Andy will try to update this blog every day - not to say that he'll never be able to speak to anyone, but this seems a good way to keep everyone updated.
Visiting – the doctors cannot say until the baby has been delivered exactly what procedures will be carried out or when. Our daughter will be on a ventilator for at least a couple of weeks in a small ward with other very poorly babies, so for this initial period it’s probably wisest that only grandparents, aunties and uncles visit her, just to keep numbers down! Unfortunately, no children are allowed on the paediatric surgery ward other than siblings, but things will be easier once the baby moves onto the ‘normal’ paediatric ward. We may be in for a long haul (up to five months), so any visitors will be very welcome!
We hope that this has been useful. If you would like to know more about the condition, there is a great leaflet produced by Great Ormond Street Hospital available at:
www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/factsheets/families/F020102/abdominal_wall_defects.pdf
You can also get lots of info from the GEEPS group at http://www.geeps.co.uk/
Think of us on the 19th! We will keep everyone posted and hope to be spreading good news soon.
Lots of love,
xxxx
1 comment:
Hi Andy and Janie. I have just spent the last 30 minutes reading your blog and archive..... what a time you've had! Great news regarding the op.... what better Christmas Present could you wish for.
Call when you are able to.
Best wishes
Heath & Susie.
PS Photo's are great.
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