The birth of a baby! Is it common? Yes, Of course, there could be no person who was not born on some day.
So something so common should also be very easy right? Well, I am sure every mother will have a different story to tell you about that. You will also find that it is a different story with every one of their children.
After waiting for around 9 months, when any parents in the world are waiting for their little one's arrival, it does not matter what dreams and expectations they have woven for their child since the time of conception. At that critical moment most parents pray only for one thing. A healthy and a happy baby!
Unfortunately, not all parents are as lucky. There are so called ‘congenital’ diseases (diseases which occur at or before the birth of a baby), many of which are of the heart. Babies are born with half of a functional heart. The cause? Different kinds of Congenital Heart Defects like Complex Pulmonary Atresia, Tricuspid Atresia, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), Double Inlet or Outlet Ventricle etc.
Finding it hard to pronounce the names? Believe me; the names are definitely far less complicated than the actual conditions.
Discovering that your baby has a complicated heart problem can be extremely frightening for most parents. I can only imagine what it feels like to send your baby on to the operating table even before you can cuddle her to your heart’s content.
Although medical technology has advanced so much more than before and you have got the best hospitals , the questions like "What would happen if something goes wrong?" or "Why us God? ", crosses almost every parent’s mind.
In these situations of stress, it is of immense help to talk to somebody who has faced the same type of situation as only they would understand the true extent of pain. Support and advice on all possible things like what symptoms to watch out for after the baby is born, what lifestyle changes can help towards a quicker recovery would bring new rays of hope and strength.
This month I would like to donate 20 £ to the charity “Little Hearts Matter” who provide a variety of help to the parents of children born with half a heart. With their support and advice service, 7 day a week helpline, contribution to the field of research and an active group of parents facing similar situations, the charity really makes the lives of thousands of parents much less stressful.
Link to the charity website
Link to the online donation option
