Pregnant Again, Last Baby Had Surfactant Deficiency-Help!

I think I responded to your last message...are you seeing a perinatologist? A Perinatologist is an OB/GYN with 3 more years of education in high risk moms and babies. I was seeing an OB until 20 weeks when they discovered my son had a heart defect. I immediately switched to a Perinatologist (Dr. George Lu and Dr. Scott Gray at Obstetrix Medical Group at St. Luke's on the Plaza). They were FANTASTIC and they only deal with moms and babies with "problems". Their office is in St. Luke's Hospital and that's where they deliver.

One of my son's heart defects was with his pulmonary artery (carries blood from heart to lungs). We weren't sure if he was going to breathe at birth (he did somewhat) and Drs. Lu and Gray as well as St. Luke's were WELL PREPARED for the worst. They intubated him as a precaution for transport to Children's Mercy.

Best of Luck!

You might talk with your OB about having a pre delivery amnio to test for lung maturity. If not mature they can give steroids prior to delivery to help the lungs mature. Hope that helps!

A.,
First...we're moms...we worry...that's what we do! But don't let it consume you. Enjoy this pregnancy! I don't know much about surfactant deficiency, but I would imagine, knowing the history,they would have a high index of suspicion when the baby is born. If they are prepared for a possible complication, I'd think they could admister the surfactant meds quickly. This baby will probably be perfectly healthy, but I'd say just be sure to remind your ob about it when you are in labor and also to request that a pediatric team be present at the birth. Hugs to you!

I would suggest seeing genetics counsler to find out if it is genetic and what your odds are of having another child with it so that you know what is coming.