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"Step out of the darkness and into the light . . . You are NOT alone!" |
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Have you recently had an ultrasound which found that your baby has a large bladder and the doctor is suspecting that Prune Belly Syndrome may be the cause?
First and foremost you must know that PBS is NOT from anything that you did or did not do and can usually be managed very well!
It would be good for you to learn a bit about Prune belly syndrome. It is a group of abnormalities (which are present at birth) marked by three major findings:
- Lack of development of abdominal muscles (causing the skin of the belly area to wrinkle like a prune as a newborn and fill out and be "poochie" as a toddler)
- Undescended testicles
- Urinary tract issues
The underlying causes of prune belly syndrome are unknown. It affects mostly boys (about 95% are males). When in the womb, the developing baby's bladder (and sometimes the abdomen) swells with fluid. That fluid disappears after birth (ie: urinating), leading to a wrinkled abdomen that looks like a prune. The appearance is more noticeable because of the lack of enough abdominal muscles. Sometimes there is a very small open channel from the bladder to the bellybutton. When present, this channel helps drain the bladder while in the womb and decreasing the damage to the kidneys. If the bladder is not draining, a specialist can insert a shunt into the baby to drain the fluid into the amniotic fluid. These specialists are found at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Expectant mothers carrying PBS babies may have varying degrees of oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid), which make the baby more likely to have lung problems. The more normal your fluid level is, the better it is for your baby's lungs.
The following tests may be performed on the baby after birth to diagnose the condition:
During pregnancy you will be followed much more closely than the "normal" pregnancy. You will probably see a High Risk Obstetrician and often a Neonatologist who will care for your baby as soon as it is born.
What you need to remember is that there are many, many women who have been exactly where you are right now and are very willing to help you and share their tips and stories. Please go to our Support Forum and join to find us all !
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