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Michelle Cannon31-year-old British woman whose daughter underwent surgery in the womb
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Michelle Cannon: Mother of a Miracle Baby
- A Devastating Diagnosis
- Desperate Search for Hope
- A Daring Decision
- Pioneering Surgery
- A Long and Anxious Wait
- A Blessing Named Faith
- Reflections and Gratitude
- Hydrops Fetalis: A Serious Condition
Michelle Cannon: Mother of a Miracle Baby
Michelle Cannon, a 31-year-old British mother from Doncaster, has shared the incredible story of the pioneering surgery that saved her unborn daughter's life.
A Devastating Diagnosis
When Cannon was 22 weeks pregnant, she received the devastating news that her baby had been diagnosed with a rare and often fatal condition known as hydrops fetalis. Fluid filled the baby's chest, restricting her lung development.
Desperate Search for Hope
Refusing to give up hope, Cannon spent countless hours researching online. Her search eventually led her to "in-utero surgery," a procedure that had been performed only a handful of times worldwide.
A Daring Decision
Cannon and her partner, Gareth Dawson, approached doctors at the neighboring Sheffield Children's Hospital. They hoped to find a surgeon willing to perform the risky procedure, which carried a high risk of miscarriage or premature birth.
Pioneering Surgery
After careful consideration, consultant obstetrician Rubin Joachhi agreed that in-utero surgery was the only chance to save Cannon's baby. Last autumn, she underwent a 30-minute procedure while conscious under local anesthesia. A 50cm needle was inserted through Cannon's abdomen into her womb, guiding a tiny tube into the baby's chest. The tube allowed the amniotic fluid to be gradually drained from the baby's chest back into the womb. The baby was also given an injection to reduce movement and pain.
A Long and Anxious Wait
The fluid drainage took several weeks, allowing the baby's lungs to gradually expand and function properly once she was born.
A Blessing Named Faith
Cannon's daughter, Faith, was born at 38 weeks weighing 2kg. She spent a further week in the hospital for observation and monitoring of her lung function. Now five months old, Faith is thriving and developing rapidly.
Reflections and Gratitude
Cannon recalls, "I wasn't going to terminate the pregnancy under any circumstances. When they said the only chance of saving her life was this procedure while she was still in the womb, it terrified us."
She adds, "But we knew it was the only chance. We knew the risks were high, that she could be born prematurely, and that she was too small to survive at 22 weeks."
Cannon and Dawson are overjoyed that the procedure was a success. "As Faith gets older, we'll tell her about the amazing operation she had while she was in mummy's tummy," Cannon said. "We're just so lucky and grateful that we've got her."
Hydrops Fetalis: A Serious Condition
Hydrops fetalis, the life-threatening condition Faith was diagnosed with, occurs in approximately one in 15,000 pregnancies. Only around a third of babies survive. Termination of pregnancy is often a necessary option.
The main symptom of hydrops fetalis is fluid buildup in the chest and abdomen, which can compress and damage the fetus's delicate organs. The fluid is thought to be caused by a viral infection or a defect in the heart or lungs.
Dr. Rubin Joachhi stressed the risks involved in the surgery that saved Faith's life. "There was a risk of causing damage to other organs," he said. "But in time, Faith's chest drained, as did the fluid in her abdomen, and her lungs slowly re-expanded, giving her the chance of normal function postnatally."
