Curing Spina Bifida
Growing up in the 1960’s, Dr. Diana Farmer’s mother taught Sunday school for disabled children where she first met children who had spina bifida.
“It was a really crummy disease,” Farmer said. Dr. Farmer is now leading innovative research, which holds promise of saving lives and lifetimes.
VIDEO: Fetal Surgery to Treat Paralysis Associated with Spina Bifida
In the video she discusses the improvements that resulted from the initial fetal surgeries, including a reduction in the need for shunts. She now believes that with the latest breakthroughs involving fetal surgery and stem cells that the paralysis associated with spina bifida will be cured in her lifetime.
Everett’s Update: Flourishing After Fetoscopic Surgery
Most mothers would probably tell their child to sit down and stop standing on the chair in the middle of their family photography session. But when you’re told your son will never walk and he mischievously climbs onto a chair with no help and stands there, posing for the camera … well, you let him do it.
When You Need To Start Baby Proofing
Your question should not be whether or not your child will find hazards in the home, but how soon and where will they find them. 2,700 children die from preventable injuries each year, and the majority of preventable injuries occur in the home. 120,000 children are permanently disabled from these preventable injuries. Learn the habits you should adopt to keep your children safe.
What a Difference a Year Can Make
This time last year, I was taking a pregnancy test. Today, I’m the mother of a healthy four month-old little boy who loves to smile and kick his legs like crazy.
My Son’s First Surgery for Spina Bifida
Johnna Kerres tells her story of the surgery she and her son underwent before he was born. The fetoscopic surgery contributed to medical research.
Preeclampsia and How It Snuck Into My Pregnancy
After a dangerous experience, mom Paula Yost Schupp encourages all pregnant women to be familiar with the signs of preeclampsia, even if they, like her, seem to have no initial risk factors. She tells her story of how she was diagnosed, and what happened as a result.
The Worst News Becomes A Beautiful, Life-Changing Moment
Logan’s story is so much bigger than his diagnosis. To fully understand you have to know I had a stillborn baby named Andrew 12 years before I had Logan. Andrew had the same diagnosis as Logan. I can never forget the day I knew something was wrong with Logan. We went...
Research Grant Awardee: Understanding the Underlying Causes of Hydrops
The Fetal Health Foundation Awarded the 2018 Research grant to Dr. Teresa Sparks and team at the University of California, San Francisco. They are working to understand the underlying causes of Hydrops.
Sawyer Strong: Proof They are Stronger Than Their Stories
By: Heather Mariano At 18 weeks pregnant, we had prayed to become parents for over a year and half before finding out that In Vitro Fertilization was our only hope at parenthood. With our first round of fertility treatment a success, our only prayer was for this child...
The Happiest Little Baby: Chase’s CDH Survivor Story
Chase Juergens came out blue. His mother, Alicia, had a caesarean section, and the nurses said that wasn’t unusual. Sometimes c-section babies take a little longer to catch their breath. They took him to the nursery for oxygen. Her husband, Michael, went with.
A Magazine for the Fetal Health Community
Our 4th annual digital issue of Connexion features resources, articles, and photos of children who are thriving after fetal syndrome diagnoses.
Exercise During Pregnancy: Do’s and Don’t’s
By Maureen Pray, NCCPT Certified Personal Trainer Exercising and staying active while pregnant is one of the best things you can do for you and your baby during your pregnancy. If you have a normal, healthy pregnancy and have been cleared by your health care...
Fetal cardiac interventions at UC Davis Fetal Care and Treatment Center help babies with CHD
If untreated, critical aortic stenosis and HLHS can be fatal. By performing this procedure before birth, it can promote improved growth of the left-sided heart structures and lead to fewer surgeries after birth. “These interventions were not possible 20 years ago. I’m proud to provide my expertise at UC Davis Children’s Hospital to help these babies,” said Dr. Ing.
Fetal Health Foundation Founders, Lonnie and Michelle Somers, Announce New Executive Director, Talitha McGuinness
The Fetal Health Foundation (FHF) recently announced the appointment of Talitha McGuinness, to the position of executive director. Established in 2004, FHF is a nonprofit organization that offers resources and support to those experiencing severe pregnancy complications known collectively as fetal health syndromes.
When my babies died…the nurses were #NotJustaNurse
Gina Harris is the CEO of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. In this piece she shares how important nurses have been in her life. “When I went into labor with my first baby on October 24, 2007, I did not know what to expect. I knew that our baby David would either be stillborn or he would die shortly after birth. He had Potter’s Syndrome, which means his kidneys never developed, thus preventing his lungs from developing…”
Coping with the Unexpected When You’re Expecting – 3 Things to Keep in Mind
Expectant parents have a great deal on their agenda during the months leading up to delivery. With so much to do, managing the details can be overwhelming − especially when things don’t go according to plan. The truth is, whether you are a first-time parent or seasoned with experience, the journey can often be unpredictable.
Why We’re So Excited About The Latest Advances in Fetal Medicine
When my wife and I received the news that our baby girls had Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, we were devastated. That was 15 years ago and there weren’t a lot of options or resources available for those diagnosed with a fetal syndrome. Fortunately for us, we...
Four Things to Consider When Dealing with the Uncertainty of TTTS
A scar blankets the wound that materializes from physical trauma endured in the past. Displayed on the body like artwork on a canvas, the design tells the story of a major life event. In the 2018 edition of Connexions magazine three women discuss their badges of honor...
Three Reasons it’s OK to be Picky When Selecting Your OB/GYN
After delivering baby number four, experiencing a twin birth, a water birth, and a C-section, I want expecting mothers to know what I didn’t during my first pregnancy: it’s OK to be picky when selecting your OB/GYN!
Twin Girls Teach Dad Valuable Life Lessons During Half-Marathon
Lonnie Somers experiences the celebration that comes with Father’s Day each and every day. Fifteen years ago, the marathon-running CFO and his pregnant wife, Michelle, raced 2,000 miles to Tampa, Fla. from Denver, Colo. in search of lifesaving help for their unborn twins.
Connexions Magazine 2018 is Live
Fetal Health Foundation Connexions magazine for 2018 has just been published online. The annual issue includes survivor photos, news on the latest grants, stories from families who have experiences fetal syndromes, and why you should be picky when choosing an OB.
Running With Your Children: The Best Life teacher
Fetal Health Foundation Founders Lonnie and Michelle Somers recently ran the Disney Half Marathon with their twin daughters and wrote about what the family learned through the training and race experience.
Fetal Health Foundation Awards $50,000 Research Grant to Further Study Life-Threatening Fetal Lung Complication
The recipient of the 2017 Brianna Marie Memorial Research Grant, awarded annually by the Fetal Health Foundation (FHF), is a team led by Dr. Ali Gholipour of Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. The group’s focus will be on improved imaging for the prenatal prognosis of incomplete development of the lungs, a life-threatening complication that is associated with several fetal syndromes.
New Technology for TRAP Syndrome Treatment
One unique opportunity I have as a co-founder of the Fetal Health Foundation is the opportunity to be in touch with doctors who are making great strides in fetal medicine. Parents come to us to help find the newest treatment options, and hope for their unborn babies....