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<p>Spinal surgery for spina bifida for babies in the womb is among new, innovative
treatments that will be routinely available on the National Health Service for the
first time.</p><p> </p><p>The procedure for unborn children with spina bifida, whose
spine and spinal cord do not develop properly, allows pregnant women to be treated
closer to home and their families.</p><p> </p><p>Pain relief for the unborn baby will
be delivered intra-operatively. This is administered before the fetal surgery, after
the uterus is opened. The fetus will be monitored during the procedure by ultrasound
to check the fetal heart rate. The surgery takes place between 20 and 26 weeks of
gestation.</p><p> </p><p>This proposed new treatment was independently assessed for
its clinical benefit and cost by the Clinical Priorities Advisory Group comprising
doctors, health experts and patient representatives.</p>
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