Postnatal treatment
There is no doubt that caring for a child with CDH causes a great deal of anxiety for parents. At the time of discharge you will receive recommendations from neonatologists and a schedule of follow-up appointments. It is therefore very important that the in-utero procedure (FETO), the delivery and the hernia repair surgery are carried out in the same health care facility to allow continuity of care and planning of outpatient care at the same facility also after the mother and the baby are discharged home. The Children’s Teaching Hospital (address: ul. Żwirki i Wigury 63A) in Warsaw has doctors, midwives and nurses with extensive experiences in the management of babies with CDH.
Caring at home for a baby after diaphragmatic hernia repair surgery is usually not much different from caring for other newborns. Follow the recommendations received at the time of discharge from hospital. There are several important aspects to look out for:
- The skin around the wound is red or irritated.
- Does your baby has fever / high temperature?
- Does the baby choke and gag during feeding?
- Your baby is drooling excessively.
If your child has any of the symptoms listed above or you are concerned about your child’s behavior, consult your doctor urgently!