If Holly Hodgson has taken her obstetrician’s advice she wouldn’t have her beautiful son Teddy.
During her 12-week scan the first first time mum was told her baby’s intestines and other organs were growing outside his body in a hole beside the belly button.
‘The radiologist said it would be fine but then when I went to see my doctor he told me that I should terminate because he had only see three other cases who all terminated,’ says Holly from Brisbane.
But Holly did some research and discovered the condition – though shocking – affects one in 5,000 babies and 90 to 95 per cent of those with the condition survive the pregnancy.
Teddy was born in December and had to have his organs wrapped in clingfilm for the first hour of his life. After that they were put into a silo bag for 13 days until his tummy had grown big enough for his organs to fit back in.
Although Holly and her husband Stephen were upset at not being able to hold their son, after his operation the little boy made rapid progress and was able to go home eight weeks later.
Now seven months old, it’s hard to imagine him being so ill.
Holly said she emailed the doctor who’d recommended the termination with a photo of her gorgeous boy.
She says he sent back his congratulations but didn’t say sorry or that he would take it on board for next time.
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