Dear Lactnetters,

Have any of you had any experience or do you know anything about
gastroschisis? (A congenital fissure open in the abdominal wall with the
intestines on the outside)  I had a call from a pregnant mother whose baby has
been diagnosed with this.  She is due January 10 but is now in the hospital
because of low amniotic fluid and may deliver by Cesarean section today if the
fluid level hasn't risen considerably.

She has been told that the baby will be taken immediately to Childrens'
Hospital a few miles away and will have surgery and be hospitalized one to two
months.

We have discussed pumping soon after birth to begin saving her breastmilk.  I
am just wondering if anyone has worked with a baby with this problem and if
there are any tips, ideas, suggestions specific to it.  I'm also doing an
archive search.

Please email me privately as well as to the list.
Thanks so much,
Janaki Costello, IBCLC, ICCE, C.D.
El Cerrito, CA.
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