What you can do if you are going to have a child with Spina Bifida

When a father or mother hears a diagnosis of Spina Bifida, the first thing that usually comes to mind is: Why did it come to us? Why our baby? Some studies show that there are many factors that contribute to the development of Spina Bifida and / or Hydrocephalus. For this reason it is very important to understand that the parents are not to blame, that it was not some lack of care or an accident that caused your baby's disability, since the Spina Bifida can occur in any situation.

Associations and advice of Spina Bifida

At first, no more knowing the news, it is normal for parents to feel desperate, impatient and lost. You will need time to adapt to the new situation, and above all accept it. Now, during pregnancy, when the baby is in the womb (the safest place) it is time for you to seek information and advice, and make the necessary decisions. Although medical advice is very important, we must seek other points of view on the subject: the Spina Bifida Associations of your city or province, can offer solutions and practical guidance. In addition, contact with other parents who are living the same situation, can give you more security and support.

These moments may be one of the most difficult of your lives. That is why it is important that you share your feelings with friends and family. If you have trouble talking about the subject, the solution lies with the professionals. But, the most important thing is that you accept all the help that comes to you, especially among you. Therefore, you must go to the doctor together to listen to the characteristics of your child's disability. The information can be alarming and you will surely have to repeat it several times until you can understand it. It is better that you go to several specialists in Spina Bifida, since the techniques advance very quickly.

Some doctors are convinced that people with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus have such a low quality of life that they recommend the termination of pregnancy. This is a rather extreme "medical" position that rules out other points of view. It is true that there are many medical problems related to Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, but the quality of life is not simply a medical criterion. The people most qualified to make judgments about this are those who suffer from Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus and they are convinced that it is worth living.

Stages of Acceptance of Spina Bifida

Knowing the stages that the family goes through from the moment they know they are going to have a baby with Spina Bifida, can help the father or the mother of a newborn with this problem, they can accept and face the new situation.

Impact phase: the diagnosis. In this phase, parents must be helped to mitigate the guilt and increase their self-confidence.

Impact phase: the process of normalizing family life can lead to acceptance of disability, resignation or rejection.

Assimilation and reorganization phase: assumed the child's disability, the feelings are tempered and the balance is restored to the family.

Acceptance attitude: The child must be accepted not only with its limitations but with all its possibilities and capabilities.

The attitudes that parents can adopt regarding the treatment and care of their child with Spina Bifida, can be different, and in some cases erroneous. It is necessary to avoid: