Episode 21 - Baby Clara's Story: Treatment Before Her First Breath
From The Glennon Factor by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
April 28, 2026 · 44 min · Episode 44
About this episode
The episode follows Emily and Paul Cullmann's journey navigating Cystic Fibrosis during pregnancy and the innovative treatment approach for their daughter Clara.
In this episode, listeners follow Emily and Paul Cullmann’s journey after learning during pregnancy that they are both carriers of Cystic Fibrosis, giving their daughter Clara a 25% chance of having the disease. Referred to the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, they were guided by experts including Katie Francis, program coordinator of the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute, and Dr. Chris Buchanan, medical director of the institute, who helped them navigate fear, uncertainty, and complex decisions. Together, they pursued an innovative and largely untested approach—having Emily take a CF medication during pregnancy in hopes of treating Clara in utero. After birth, Clara was diagnosed with CF but showed remarkably mild symptoms, likely influenced by early treatment both before birth and through breastmilk. The episode highlights not only Clara’s promising outcome, but also the evolving field of fetal medicine, the power of collaboration and research, and the hope that compassionate, cutting-edge care can offer families facing complex prenatal diagnoses.
People in this episode
Guests: Emily Cullmann, Paul Cullmann
Topics covered
- Cystic Fibrosis
- fetal medicine
- prenatal care
- healthcare decisions
- patient stories
Keywords
- Cystic Fibrosis
- fetal care
- prenatal treatment
- healthcare
- patient journey
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: St. Louis Fetal Care Institute, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
Books & works: Cystic Fibrosis
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- Episode 20 - One Question Can Change a Family's Life · March 3, 2026 · 43 min
- Ep. 20 Sneak Peek · March 2, 2026 · 1 min
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