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Maria's Story
"CMV is the word that symbolizes a big change in my life..."
Above all, it was a change in the way I look at things. We are very fortunate because we got the chance to understand how lucky we are to have a healthy child, despite all the odds. We should never take health for granted, that's what we know now.
We live in Porto, Portugal. I got pregnant with my second child in April 2007. My first (a boy named Pedro) was only 1.5 years old at the time and attending daycare. Everything was going ok with the baby which we soon found out was to be a girl, Maria. What a thrill.
My first trimester routine blood tests were positive for a primary CMV infection, low avidity, suggesting mother infection somewhere around the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. I had never heard of CMV untill that day. I was told I would have to undergo amniocentesis to find out if baby was also infected. I immediately panicked and everything seemed worse and worse as I would learn more about CMV on the internet.
To make a long story short, baby was also infected and terminating pregnancy was always an option. Those were truly the most unhappy and the most agonizing days of my life.
I had the chance to exchange a couple of emails with Professors Stuart Adler and Giovanni Nigro about the hyperimmune globulins infusions. Local team of OBGYN Doctors were also willing to try the treatment (I was the first pregnant person to do it in Portugal) so I never looked back. The National Health System payed for it entirely and I am very grateful for all the excellent care I got in my local Hospital (Vila Nova de Gaia, Dr. Francisco Valente and Instituto de Genetica Medica, Dra. Odilia Pinho).
All pregnancy was very controlled and I even got to be seen by Prof. Yves Ville in Poissy 3 times, one of which for a chordocentesis. We had a few worries along the way (placentomegaly, bright bowel, heart CIV, high virus load in the baby) but nothing showing in the brain. That kept our hopes really high. But I kept worrying about what ultra sounds wouldn't show.
I kept close contact with Prof. Giovanni Nigro from L'Aquila Hospital, Italy, and agreed that Maria would be born there because we weren't quite sure if local neonatology had the latest information/scientific developments on how to treat a symptomatic CMV newborn.
So Maria was born in December 2007, in a heavily snowing L'Aquila, sadly "hurt" by a tremendous earthquake two years later. We were very well taken care of by everyone there, especially by Prof. Giovanni Nigro and his team.
Despite a bit red in color, Maria was fine. All exams have been normal ever since. Maria is now on her way to becoming 3 years old in December.
She is a healthy, happy girl, and she has always hit all milestones. She wears beautiful glasses, like her brother and daddy, so I guess CMV is not to blame for! We take her to an audiologist every 6 months to check her hearing.
What I have learned from this life changing experience:
- Don't just take health for granted (appreciate it, be grateful if you have it, and take good care of you and your children).
- The internet is such a wonderful thing if you know how to take advantage from it. It truly brought the world to help me when I most needed it. I met CMV moms and CMV specialists from all over. There are truly amazing and generous people out there.
- Now I truly admire all these incredible science specialists, Doctors and investigators who have been dedicating their professional lives to the cCMV cause. I know in my heart that if it wasn't for them, I might have terminated pregnancy if I had seen no hope.
- I also tremendously admire all the moms of special needs children. I came to understand those who say they are chosen by God.
- I am deeply aware of children with special needs. I don't think I will be pregnant again, but I feel I could adopt a special needs child. I am just waiting for the moment when I know it's time to go ahead.
- Shared by her mother, Madalena