Life Doesn't Follow a Plan with Alex Pudwill, CRNA

Scrub Caps & Sippy Cups

The ladies of the Scrub Caps and Sippy Cups podcast are joined by fellow CRNA mom, Alex Pudwill as she shares her son’s journey with congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV). Her son Sam was suspected to have been exposed to CMV in the third trimester of pregnancy. Alex explains the signs and symptoms of CMV at birth and how she and Sam’s medical providers came to realize he had congenital CMV. Alex shares her struggles with mom guilt and how their family focuses on Sam’s milestones to keep them going. Alex is here to spread awareness about congenital CMV and help prevent this from occurring.

There are two groups of people that are most at risk for contracting CMV, immunocompromised individuals and unborn babies. Alex and Sam’s medical providers did not have any reason to suspect Sam had CMV in utero. He was growing fine and there was not a cause for concern during prenatal exams. She was shocked when she first saw him and he was covered in petechiae and had a blueberry muffin rash. Sam was sent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where he was cared for in the coming days.

Alex shares the struggles ahead for Sam and what it is like to have a child with CMV. From making the decision to have Sam receive cochlear implants to a brain bleed that will cause long-term issues and how she and her family overcame these obstacles.

Laci asks if there is any treatment for moms in the event that they are found to be positive for CMV while pregnant. Alex explains that there are antivirals available, but the treatments are experimental at this time. Ellen discusses the concerns from a perspective of being pregnant and not knowing what she could come in contact with and if that would have an effect on her baby. For many parents, this is currently a COVID concern. What effects does this have on the baby?

Alex gives tips on how moms can help decrease their chances of getting CMV while pregnant and shares some statistics with our listeners.

“91% of women are unaware of congenital CMV. 1:200 children are born with CMV each year and 1:10 of those are born with a disability.”

Alex wants to get the message out about congenital CMV and what we can do as moms and healthcare professionals to prevent this virus from spreading. Please share this episode with a friend who could benefit from this information!

Alex Pudwill is a CRNA mom from Sioux Falls, SD. Her son, Sam, was born with congenital CMV. Ever since then, she has been trying to educate as many moms and soon-to-be moms as possible to prevent this very preventable disease. You can follow Alex Pudwill @aapudwill on Instagram and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alex.hughes.1238

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