post-surgery: tips for taking care and keeping calm by talitha a. mcguinness
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Once the whirlwind of your fetal syndrome diagnosis and surgery have passed, you'll have some time to think about your baby's arrival and to focus on self-care. You have either just undergone minimally invasive or open fetal surgery to help your unborn baby's chances of survival, but there are still risks involved to the both of you. Right now, there is nothing more important than resting and taking it easy. Here are a few tips on caring for yourself during this time.
travel
If you're like most patient families dealing with a fetal syndrome, you likely traveled out of state to a fetal center for treatment and care. After a few days of monitoring, including ultrasounds to monitor your baby's condition and watching for signs of preterm labor, you'll be released and depending on the severity of your diagnosis and treatment, will either be instructed to stay nearby until follow-up consultation and release or delivery, or sent home for prenatal care under your normal doctor. Outside of this necessary movement, and unless instructed otherwise by your doctor, your travel should be restricted until delivery.
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connexions
After surgery, many patients are sent home with strict instructions to remain in bed (or on the couch), resting on your side. This position has proven optimal for best blood
