:: Gastroschisis Awareness Day ::

Today is Gastroschisis Awareness Day--
You can read about our journey with Gastroschisis and our Little Easton 

If you are not familiar with Gastroschisis you can read a little bit about this birth defect below. I copied this information from Facebook ...

Sadly Gastroschisis is on the rise. Still uncertain as to cause but it is currently happening about 7 in 10,000 babies... prenatal visits are key in discovering this birth defect before birth and KEY to proper prenatal care.

We are fortunate.
But there are many families who have lost babies because of this birth defect. I know of one baby in particular...he occupied the bed next to Easton in the NICU.

His name was Brodie.

He would be 3 today.

Copied from FaceBook--

wear a green shirt, post this pic as ur profile pic, donate to ur local NICU! do one or all! i dont care, but its time to spread the word!! approximatly 1 in 2200 babies born will have gastroschisis... Gastroschisis is a birth defect in which an infant's intestines stick out of the body through a defect on one side of the umbilical cord. See also: Gastroschisis repair Causes, incidence, and risk factors Gastroschisis is a type of hernia. Hernia means "rupture.” Babies with this condition have a hole in the abdominal wall. The child's intestines usually stick out (protrude) through the hole. The condition looks similar to an omphalocele. An omphalocele, however, is a birth defect in which the infant's intestine or other abdominal organs stick out of the belly button area and are covered with a membrane. Other related birth defects are rare in patients with gastroschisis. Symptoms Lump in the abdomen Intestine sticks through the abdominal wall near the umbilical cord Signs and tests Physical examination of the infant is enough for the health care provider to diagnose gastroschisis. The baby will have problems with movement and absorption in the gut, because the unprotected intestine is exposed to irritating amniotic fluid. The mother may have shown signs of too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios). A prenatal ultrasound often identifies the gastroschisis. Treatment If gastroschisis is found before birth, the mother will need special monitoring to make sure her unborn baby remains healthy. Plans should be made for careful delivery and immediate management of the problem after birth. Treatment for gastroschisis is surgery to repair the defect. A surgeon will put the bowel back into the abdomen and close the defect, if possible. If the abdominal cavity is too small, a mesh sack is stitched around the borders of the defect and the edges of the defect are pulled up. Over time, the herniated intestine falls back into the abdominal cavity, and the defect can be closed. Other treatments for the baby include nutrients by IV and antibiotics to prevent infection. The baby's temperature must be carefully controlled, because the exposed intestine allows a lot of body heat to escape. Expectations (prognosis) The child has a good chance of recovering if the abdominal cavity is large enough. A very small abdominal cavity may result in complications that require additional surgery. Complications The misplaced abdominal contents can make it difficult for the baby to expand the lungs, leading to breathing problems. Bowel death is another complication. Calling your health care provider This condition is apparent at birth and will be detected in the hospital at delivery. It may also be detected on routine fetal ultrasound exams. If you have given birth at home and your baby appears to have this defect, call the local emergency number (such as 911) immediately.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. ~ Psalm 103:1