This is a very heart rendering situation for me to write about the termination of a relative's 3 and a half month fetus as the baby was diagnosed with Down Syndrome Symptoms. I am writing this coz when I was searching for more information regarding how it is done, why it is done etc., there was not much of information available.
The 12th week scan has been a new info to me as I don't remember having done an 8th week scan and a consecutive 12th week scan. I think probably this is being done to specifically screen for chromosomal abnormalities. The normal USG scan showed signs of edema and fluid retention. Then the mother was sent for high risk profile sonogram scan. The result came much to dismay with several bold sentences showing there was some serious issues with the pregnancy. The Nuchal translucency of 8.2 was the major determining factor. The fetus was diagnosed to be suffering from non-immune hydrops. The mother was then asked to do a TORCH test to check for IgG and IgM antibodies in blood for certain infections. The blood report much to dismay wasn't of great interest to the doctor. it was a trouble to get the TORCH test done as it is a scheduled test and done only on alternate days. Thanks to DDRC that they agreed to conduct the test on special request due to emergency and co-operated in a very good manner in helping us receive the results soon. On consulting with another doctor, her advice was to have the baby terminated before 14 weeks as it becomes difficult after 14 weeks. But we had to send the sample for karyotyping or any possible examination as the reason to such a problem was not clear from the mother's past history or TORCH test. The arrangements for sterile placental tissue collection was arranged by Dr Vinod of High Risk Pregnancy Section who was really very helpful in knowing more about the condition.
The termination procedure was very very unclear to anyone of us and we had no idea as to what to expect. Soon after the admission a medicine probably a labor inducer like prostaglandin was placed into the cervix. Even though there was slight pain, there was no significant pain till 4-5 hours.The nurses had given 2 more doses of the inducer. In the meanwhile the water had broke. And then strong pain started at intervals. After a little while the baby was flushed out along with blood. But the placenta didn't come out. They then administered pitocin on iV fluid. But the placenta was not coming out and eventually the doctor had to remove it manually. Baby was taken for burial. This was also another confusing segment, thanks to some good knowledgeable people whom we could call up and enquire. They informed that the baby had to be buried at the mosque with no other rituals. Once the placenta was taken out there was bleeding. The placental sterile fluid was sent out for testing. Was discharged from hospital the next day with a prescribed set of medicines, rest for 14 days and good care.
The 12th week scan has been a new info to me as I don't remember having done an 8th week scan and a consecutive 12th week scan. I think probably this is being done to specifically screen for chromosomal abnormalities. The normal USG scan showed signs of edema and fluid retention. Then the mother was sent for high risk profile sonogram scan. The result came much to dismay with several bold sentences showing there was some serious issues with the pregnancy. The Nuchal translucency of 8.2 was the major determining factor. The fetus was diagnosed to be suffering from non-immune hydrops. The mother was then asked to do a TORCH test to check for IgG and IgM antibodies in blood for certain infections. The blood report much to dismay wasn't of great interest to the doctor. it was a trouble to get the TORCH test done as it is a scheduled test and done only on alternate days. Thanks to DDRC that they agreed to conduct the test on special request due to emergency and co-operated in a very good manner in helping us receive the results soon. On consulting with another doctor, her advice was to have the baby terminated before 14 weeks as it becomes difficult after 14 weeks. But we had to send the sample for karyotyping or any possible examination as the reason to such a problem was not clear from the mother's past history or TORCH test. The arrangements for sterile placental tissue collection was arranged by Dr Vinod of High Risk Pregnancy Section who was really very helpful in knowing more about the condition.
The termination procedure was very very unclear to anyone of us and we had no idea as to what to expect. Soon after the admission a medicine probably a labor inducer like prostaglandin was placed into the cervix. Even though there was slight pain, there was no significant pain till 4-5 hours.The nurses had given 2 more doses of the inducer. In the meanwhile the water had broke. And then strong pain started at intervals. After a little while the baby was flushed out along with blood. But the placenta didn't come out. They then administered pitocin on iV fluid. But the placenta was not coming out and eventually the doctor had to remove it manually. Baby was taken for burial. This was also another confusing segment, thanks to some good knowledgeable people whom we could call up and enquire. They informed that the baby had to be buried at the mosque with no other rituals. Once the placenta was taken out there was bleeding. The placental sterile fluid was sent out for testing. Was discharged from hospital the next day with a prescribed set of medicines, rest for 14 days and good care.
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