What is gastroschisis?
Gastroschisis is where the stomach and bowel are formed on the outside of the baby’s belly. This happens during the fourth week of pregnancy. The opening is usually on the right side of the belly button and is usually less than two inches in size. There is a chance that the baby’s stomach and bowel are damaged.
Gastroschisis is a rare birth defect. It happens in about 1 in 5,000 births. About 10% of babies born with gastroschisis also have a part of the bowel that does not develop correctly. Most babies with gastroschisis do not have any other birth defects.
