Author: ewpcontent

Induction/L&D

Late Termination in Wichita

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By Donna My son was my long awaited journey into motherhood. He was my lifeline the day my brother died and I thought the world was ending. He was the glimmer of hope that was offered to family members that horrible week that we had four family members die. He was my everything, and then he was gone. At the end of September 2005, my husband and I found out that we were expecting a child. We were excited to finally start a family. The following week my brother and cousin were killed in a car wreck, then my aunt died from cancer, and my […]

Stories

FISH Prenatal Testing Explained

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FISH, or Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization, is a diagnostic prenatal test which looks for a few common chromosomal abnormalities. A fluorescent dye is used to visualize and map genetic material in cells. FISH is usually performed with the same genetic material gathered for testing during CVS or amniocentesis. The advantage of FISH testing is that results are often available in as little as 24-48 hours. FISH has a low rate false positive results. If the fetal cells contain certain chromosomal abnormalities, this will be apparent with the FISH test. An exception might be if the parent has a chromosomal abnormality and the fetal cells were contaminated with parental […]

Artistic Expressions

Q&A: What Songs Touch You?

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Have a question for Ending a Wanted Pregnancy? Email us.  QUESTION What songs touch you in relation to your experience of ending a wanted pregnancy. Please share the artist, song title, a link to a YouTube video and if you like, a few words about how the song connects to your experience/grief/loss or healing. ANSWERS Happy Birthday by Piper and Flipsyde. Flipsyde – Happy Birthday (We The People) Pearl Jam’s Black was the first song that really got to me. I remember sitting in the Target parking lot crying when this came on the radio. “Now my bitter hands cradle broken glass of what was everything. All […]

Dandy Walker Syndrome

What Kind of Mother … ?

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By Rachel Bertsche When Kate, a 29-year-old mom outside Boston, found out she was pregnant with a second daughter, she was elated. Then, at 36 weeks along, she got the news that is every expecting parent’s worst nightmare: Her baby, who she would later name Rose, had two brain malformations. Kate decided to have abortion, and eventually found solace in a support group on the website Ending a Wanted Pregnancy. The online community is for parents who terminate pregnancies for medical reasons (pregnancies they wanted, but chose to end after a severe prenatal diagnosis or maternal health issue) and who often feel alone or ashamed, and […]

Dandy Walker Syndrome

My Third-Trimester Abortion

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By Kate C. This article is based on a talk the author gave to OBs and medical students at her diagnosing hospital. I am here today to tell you about my third trimester abortion. Before I begin, I want to make two things very clear: First, I am here to speak with you because I want to share my experience. I am not afraid to share, and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions if you have them. I think people often hold back to protect me, but they needn’t bother. I live with these memories every day. There is no angle from which I haven’t looked […]

Artistic Expressions

It’s Always, Always Up

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By Kate C. They don’t want to remind me of her. Don’t want to say her name. Don’t want to bring it up. But it is up. It is up in the morning. It is up in the afternoon. It is up in the evening. When I’m laughing, When I’m running, When I’m resting, On her birthday, On Christmas, Every day, It is up. To remind me of my daughter, To surprise me with my grief, To bring up my dead baby girl, Implies that I ever could forget. It is always, always up.   Image courtesy of Pixabay.

Diagnoses

What is Hydrops Fetalis (Fetal Hydrops)?

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Hydrops fetalis (fetal hydrops) is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in two or more places and is a symptom of an underlying problem with the fetus. Hydrops is typically discovered during an ultrasound in the first or second trimester, and the earlier it is found the worse the prognosis. Non-immune hydrops may indicate congenital heart defects, structural abnormalities, infection, or genetic disorders.It is sometimes associated with too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) and placental edema.   For more information, visit: Medscape—Pediatric Hydrops Fetalis Perinatology—Hydrops Fetalis Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin—Hydrops fetalis/erythroblastosis fetalis   Ending a Wanted Pregnancy stories tagged Fetal Hydrops

Stories

What is Wolf-Hirschshorn Syndrome?

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Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is a condition that results when there is a deletion on the short arm of chromosome 4. This missing genetic material results in severe developmental delays and seizures. It is associated with variety of birth defects including microcephaly (small head size), cranial asymmetry, heart defects, curvature of the spine and cleft lip and/or palate. Prognosis depends on what birth defects are present. It is estimated that around 35% of WHS patients die within the first two years of life. Children with WHS often exhibit severe to profound cognitive and physical disabilities.   For more information about Wolf-Hirschshorn Syndrome, visit: Wolf-Hirschorn.org – Wolf-Hirschshorn Syndrome OMIM – Wolf-Hirschchorn Syndrome Medscape – Wolf-Hirschshorn Syndrome […]