When I went to a Dr. appointment at 21 weeks I had an ultrasound done that told me the exciting news that I was having a baby Girl! During that visit I also received the news that she had a heart condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). At that point we were not told anything about the condition other than being told we needed to go see a pediatric cardiologist about the issue.
While visiting the pediatric cardiologist he confirmed the information that we had found online. The left side of her heart is underdeveloped and does not pump blood. While in the womb God allows all babies to have holes in their heart that allow for rerouting of blood flow if a condition like this is present. The problem comes after birth when these holes begin to close off. There is no set time when this happens so right away she will be taken and given a drug through her umbilical cord that makes her body think she is still in the womb. This will keep the holes in her heart open but will most likely cause her to stop breathing since that is not needed while in the womb. Because of this she will also most likely need machines to help her breath.
After gaining a little weight she will have her first surgery (should be within the first week). This will be the first of 3 surgeries that will pretty much reconstruct her heart. The second surgery should take place between 3-6 months and the third between 18 months and 4 years. Texas Children's normally does this surgery around 3 years old.
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