Update on baby boy's heart

We had a very long day today in Ann Arbor at U of M. I was soooo hungry and now I am super tired! We met with a few different doctors and they all confirmed what the doctor in Saginaw had said last week that our baby does have "Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome" a major heart defect. This includes Tricuspid Atresia. Hypoplastic Right heart is more rare than Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, but it is kind of treated in the same way. Basically, the right side of his heart did not develop. He will live on one ventricle doing all of the work. The baby was moving so much during all of our scans that they will have to see if they can get even more specific when I go back in four weeks. They were very glad that he was active though...just means that he is healthy right now, so praise God! They also noticed that his Mitral Valve is leaky. This could be a serious thing for the baby right now. We are praying that his valve will stay the same or get better. At the very end of the day, we sat down with a Dr. Russell, who explained the different surgeries that they can do. They really won't know what our child exactly needs until we move further along. There are a few things it will depend on. He will probably need a surgery within the first week of life, a surgery at 3-4 months, and a surgery at 2 years. We were encouraged when he told us that some of the kids with his defect can still lead a semi-active life...they just can't play competitive sports. He also told us that these procedures are so new, (in the last ten or so years) that they can't predict life for him in say 30 years. Some cases require a heart transplant.

It was alot to take in again today. We know God has all of this planned out for us! Thank you for all of the kind words, support, and prayers! I can't go through this alone, I need my friends and family!

All of our love--Pat and Megan

19+ weeks and update on baby!

IT'S A BOY!!!!! We found at our 18 week appointment that our child is a boy! We weren't 100% for sure if we wanted to find out, but I'm glad we did! I feel even closer to this baby now. Again at this ultrasound, the tech noticed that the left atrium of his heart was really large. We sat down with the Dr. and decided to go ahead and have a Level II ultrasound with a specialist. Last Friday, we had our appointment with Dr. Wechter, (a terrific man who made us feel very comfortable)and indeed our son's heart has some problems. This specialist said that it appears that the right side of his heart didn't develop. The left side is doing all of the work. It is called Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome. A baby's heart is completely developed by 7 weeks. He said that the baby should be fine in-utero, which is good news. From the sounds of it, he will need a surgery soon after birth. He took alot of time with us and we got to see some up-close shots of his heart. He is sending us to the U of M Mott's Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. We have 3 appointments lined up for tomorrow already! They will even be doing a fetal EKG...which will be interesting to see. I'm thankful that we have time to prepare for this and that we will be at a great hospital when he is born. I am amazed by all of the support from everyone. We are completely trusting in God to take care of us and this baby! I will post after our appointments on Wednesday.


How far along?: 19+ weeks
Total weight gain: up 10 lbs now!
How much does baby weigh?: no clue
Maternity clothes?: Just bought some more today...super cheap ones at Burlington
Stretch marks?: no new ones
Sleep?: it's been good...i have alot of weird dreams though
Best moment this week?: Finding out that we're having a boy!
Movement?: Yes!! everyday, many times!
Food cravings?: still juice
Labor signs?: Nope
Belly button in or out?: its in between now
What I miss: being able to move freely without having little pains
What I'm looking forward to: gaining some info on the baby's heart when we go to uofm
Milestone: almost to 20 weeks! halfway :)