Wednesday, February 10, 2010

WBW: Congenital Heart Defects



Congenital Heart Defects effect about 35, 000 babies each year.
What is a congenital heart defect? CHD’s are structural problems with the heart present at birth. They result when a mishap occurs during heart development soon after conception and often before the mother is aware she is pregnant. Defects range in severity from simple to problems, such as “holes” between chambers of the heart, to very severe malformations, such as complete absence of one or more chambers or valves.

Lily's congenital heart defect was a Ventricular Septal Defect. A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a defect in the septum between the right and left ventricle. The septum is a wall that separates the heart’s left and right sides. Septal defects are sometimes called a “hole” in the heart. It’s the most common congenital heart defect in the newborn; it’s less common in older children and adults because some VSDs close on their own.

The above is a diagram of a heart with a VSD

~February 24, 2008~
Lily's hospital stay for Failure to Thrive


~March 4th, 2008~
Lily is home with her NG tube


Lily's did not close on it's own. It was effecting her growth and development. Due to her VSD, Lilyann was put on an NG tube (nasogastric). This tube was inserted through her nose, past her throat and down into her stomach. It was the only way at the time that Lilyann would receive the nutrition that she needed to survive. It took all of her energy to just stay awake throughout the day. Her VSD was medium to large; and it effected her breathing. Her body was working overtime to keep up. She was burning calories faster than she could take them in. Lily had to have open heart surgery to repair her VSD.
The above is a diagram of a heart with the VSD repaired


Lilyann is now heart healthy. But sharing her story is helping to spread awareness. You can spread awareness, too. Donate to a cause that supports CHD families and research.

Lilyann~February 2010


Linking up with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Way Back When-esday

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow...thank you so much for sharing Lily's story and for going in-depth about her condition. I will definitely check out the organizations you posted. I can't imagine what you've been through...you are one strong mama and Lily is strong as well!

Jennifer said...

Awww. Little babies shouldn't have to have tubes. So sad. But awesome for you to increase awareness.

Thanks for stopping by.

Claremont First Ward said...

I'm so glad you posted about this. Such a scary thing to have a child with a heart defect. I'm so glad she's well now!

SouthernDogwoods said...

What a beautiful post! And thank you for sharing your story and making me more aware! Your Lilyann is a true blessing!
(PS - I am so sorry, I have not been visiting your blog - I lost it on my blogroll during a blog re-do but I am adding it back! Sorry for being gone so long!)

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad she is doing much better now. I really appreciate you stopping by my blog as well it's so nice to read about other families who went through the same thing. She is just beautiful.

debi9kids said...

What a beautiful girlie and an amazing story.
It truly amazes me where doctors are today. One of my twin sisters had open heart surgery when she was 3 waaaaaay back in 1984 and it was MAJOR MAJOR surgery then. It's just amazing to see how very much doctors can do now and how well the kiddies do afterwards. (one of my twin mama friends just had one of her daughters' operated on Monday and she went home yesterday!)