An Article

I saw this article linked through a blog of another mommy of a baby born with congenital heart defects.  Since Marsi's birth and subsequent diagnoses and surgery I have become a researcher in what could have caused the heart defect she was born with and what to do with trying to diagnose things with any future children we may have.  I know why it took so long to diagnose Marsi with her PDA.  She was THRIVING!!  Who checks for heart conditions when a baby is reaching every milestone even if they have a murmur?  Not many people at all.  I know that I wasn't worried.  Well, hindsight is 20/20 and if future children have any symptoms Marsi had, I know what I am going to ask for.  One of the first things that I will ask for is a foot O2 reading. This article explains why.  Marsi was monitored for O2 while in the hospital, so it may not have worked for her, but it is a very good starting point for a lot of CHD patients.  Even if me asking for it makes doctors think about it or know about it.  All I know is that God helps you through things that you are given.  I was given a precious little girl with a heart defect.  If I can help one other person, it is completely worth the emotions that I have gone through with this.  I love my little girl more than anything and I would hate to see a family lose a child when non invasive testing can root out a majority of moderate, unknown at birth, CHDs.