[MamaS]

My adopted daughter is something of a crusader among her friends for "adoption not abortion". She has a friend who is in her late 30's, with two children and no financial support (they all live with her mother, who has a pension). The friend is unexpectedly pregnant. She intended to get an abortion and never let her mother know, but she didn't feel right about it. Then her obgyn said the baby had "problems". One of the problems is an omphalocele. She has had amnio and is waiting for the results in January. The baby does NOT have Down's Syndrome. If there are serious, terminal birth defects she plans to terminate. However, if this is the only problem, would anyone adopt this baby? Do you know anyone who has adopted a child like this? I am NOT soliciting adoptive homes. I just want to be able to tell her "yes" it happens or "no" not likely.
PM me if you would prefer to be private.

[RavenSong]

According to the National Institutes of Health Medline Plus Medical Encylopedia, the prognosis (outlook) for an infant born with omphalocele is as follows:

"Complete recovery is expected after surgery for an omphalocele. However, omphaloceles are frequently associated with other birth defects. How well a child does depends on any other conditions.

If the omphalocele is identified before birth, the mother should be closely monitored to make sure the unborn baby remains healthy. Plans should be made for careful delivery and immediate management of the problem after birth. The baby should be delivered in a medical center that is skilled with repairing the omphalocele. The baby's outcome is improved if he or she does not need to be taken to another center for further treatment.

Parents should consider screening the unborn baby for other genetic problems that are associated with this condition."

Their website provides a good description and explanation of this disorder.
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Omphalocele

Also, be sure to check out their web page on the surgical repair.
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Omphalocele repair

It sounds to me like this condition is easily repaired. The main problem, though, is that it is often associated with other birth defects. These include chromosomal abnormalities, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and heart defects.

Hope this helps you out a bit...

[devildogwife]

My son doesn't have the condition you posted of, but he has a very serious, very dangerous congenital heart defect. He was born dangerously ill (he was called a morbid presentation at birth) and his heart stopped at 11 hours old. So yes, there are those of us who adopt very, very sick babies born with many differenct kinds of defects. My husband and I have had a very tough year with our son's health, but would adopt another heart baby again. Sick children need parents too and there are parents out there for those babies.

[Withay]

Rather than having an omphalocele is it possible that the baby actually has gastroschisis? The two conditions are similar, but while a 25% - 40% of babies born with an omphalocele have other congenital defects, it is rare for a baby born with gastroschisis to have other congenital defects.

One difference in the two conditions is where the hole in the abdominal wall is located. With gastroschisis it is to the side, generally the right, of the umbilicus. With an omphalocele the defect is in the area of the umbilicus (belly button).

Just a thought.

[MommyAlysia]

I assure you I am not volunteering to, I know its against the rules and even if it weren't I am not in a situation where I can adopt, but hypothetically, I'd love to adopt a baby like that! There are people who will.

[MamaS]

That is what I needed to know. She will decide with her doctor whether or not the pregnancy will be terminated, but it would affect her decision to know that there are people somewhere who WOULD adopt a child with this condition, since parenting is NOT an option for her at this time.

[MamaS]

Originally Posted by MamaS

That is what I needed to know. She will decide with her doctor whether or not the pregnancy will be terminated, but it would affect her decision to know that there are people somewhere who WOULD adopt a child with this condition, since parenting is NOT an option for her at this time.

The baby girl was born, small but full term. She did require a heart catheter but doctors are optimistic that there is no brain damage. An adoptive family with good insurance was located and there will be a semi-open adoption (the birth-mom's choice) so that she would always be available to provide medical information if needed.