You may remember that when Lizzie was first born she spent four days in the NICU because she stopped breathing a few hours after birth.  What was supposed to be one of the most heartwarming moments of our lives – bonding with our newborn – ended up being one of the most scary moments as we awaited word from the doctor on what was going on.  We soon found out that Lizzie had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a heart problem that affects some babies soon after birth.

In PDA, abnormal blood flow occurs between two of the major arteries connected to the heart due to a vessel not properly closing.  This vessel usually closes up within minutes of birth.  In every two out of 1,000 babies born, this vessel does not close as quickly causing the types of complications Lizzie faced.

Luckily, just 12 hours after birth (and after a few more breathing scares), Lizzie’s heart began to function normally.  The vessel began to close and we received positive news from the hospital’s pediatric cardiologist.  Even so, it’s never easy to see your newborn hooked up to what seems like 100 wires for an EKG or echocardiogram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the course of our NICU stay, Lizzie’s PDA closed up enough that we were released from the hospital.  We came home thankful that our stay was as short as it was – we knew we were one of the lucky families!

We’ve continued to have follow-up appointments with a pediatric cardiologist over the past year – just to make sure her heart continues to function normally.  Every appointment has gone well, and yet we were always asked to schedule yet another follow-up….until last month.  We went in for our routine check-up with the cardiologist.  Lizzie had an EKG and echocardiogram – and she was such a sweetie about it.  No tears from this girl!  She even got compliments from the technician for how still and patient she was throughout the procedures.

Both test results came back with the news that her heart is functioning completely normal, and the doctor gave us the great news that we no longer need to visit them.  Woohoo!  Of course Lizzie didn’t understand why Mommy was shedding a few tears when she heard the news, but she did see me smiling.  We’re so grateful to have a happy and healthy little girl ready to take on the world with a very healthy (doctor verified and approved) heart!