Today I was excited for our follow up ultrasound. We got to see our baby again and it was just to make sure everything looked normal. Tony and I both had a bounce in our step and had conversations of what our baby would look like at 24 weeks. And it's always nice to confirm what the gender yes....and yes it is no doubt a boy. As we were going through everything, I took a deep breath and smiled when everything looked normal. The baby was moving around and everything seemed to be okay. But then we looked at his face. The ultrasound tech announced that our baby as a cleft lip and palette. Not only a cleft lip and palette but a bilateral one which is the more severe of the palettes. Tony and I both sat there and then my eyes filled with tears when I realized that something was wrong with our baby. You always hear of these things happening and we see things everyday in our job but never think it will happen to you.
Yes I know its just a cleft palette and yes I know it can be fixed. But it is never easy when your told your baby may need multiple surgeries after birth. I know its not nearly as bad as a baby having down syndrome or some other bad defect but its still not easy. We were immediately sent in to the doctor on staff (we were sent out for our second ultrasound). A nice guy who basically told us what our next plan of action will be We will be meeting with a neonatologist (a doctor that works with high risk babies after they are born). After this, we will be referred to plastic surgeons and start putting together a plan for after Riley is born. He will likely need to be fitted for some type of prostetic to help him feed until his surgeries are complete.
Let me say it is a blessing that I have such an amazing husband. He sat next to me while I cried and held my hand the entire time we talked with the doctor. I am so grateful for him and the support I've been getting so far today. I know everything will be okay in the end but it's still hard. I will keep everyone posted.
Hi Kari, I discovered this morning that you recently had become a follower of Rachel's Journey. I followed the link and found you to have a blog and thus, discovered you are expecting your first (CONGRATULATIONS!), as well as discovering your little bundle of joy will have a cleft, as well.
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to email me at my personal email DarcyFras at aol dot com if you wanna chat, ask questions, vent, etc. I know it's helped me through the years to always be able to talk to other Mom's who've walked the road I am walking.