Presenting our 5th baby...
Gregory Ellis Hibler
Born: April 18th, 2019
Weight: 7 lbs. 8 oz.
Height: 20 1/2" long
Time: 5:27am
We will give updates as we get them. We appreciate prayers!!
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Monday, April 8, 2019
Pregnancy update/ Anxieties about birth
Every pregnancy has been so different, as well as each birth. I am no fool to believe that everything will always be just dreamy in life. Life is hard, ugly, and at times just horrible.
This pregnancy has been pretty good until this last trimester. With my history of prodomal laboring to low blood platelets. Then getting a suspected heart defect in little baby boy. It just shows how unpredictable life can be. Sharing all this helps me cope and stay hopeful.
So the reason they sent us to a pediatric cardiologist was because his pulmonary valve was dilated in comparison to the aortic valve. So there is what is called a pulmonary stenosis. This can resolve on its own as he grows, which was good to hear. The problem which she saw and took about two hours trying to see through the echo-cardiogram is what is called a coarctation of the aorta. In babies in the womb there is what is called a ductus arteriosus which connects the pulmonary valve to the aortic artery. Now once they are born it will close up because it is not needed to help blood flow to the heart anymore. The problem is for a glimpse she did see a slight kink in the aortic artery right where it connects, as well as blood flowing out which is typical and not so typical blood going back in. So once he is born that kink can cause tissue to close up the aortic artery, which gives blood flow to lower parts of the body. The time frame that it closes is from a few hours to a few days. This is why he will need another echo-cardiogram as soon as he is born. She couldn't get a clear view of how severe it is, but it explains the back flow blood they see and the pulmonary stenosis. She also hopes she was exaggerating what she did see and because of the uncertainty we have precautions to take for him to be treated. So the plan is we can deliver at our original hospital and have all the needed tests. If there is a coarctation of the aorta he will be stabilized with a temporary line to help keep the aortic artery open until the pediatric cardiologists decides the best course of action once transferred to the other hospital. They can help it stay open with a cardiac catheterization which is inserted through a main artery in the leg. How they will do it is still dependent on the severity of the coarctation. Apparently only 1% of babies have a heart defect and nothing I ate or did/didn't eat or do had to do with this. Can you see now why I am anxious and trying hard not to be? I am feeling not great with all the contracting and my excitement for someone about to welcome a new baby is not quite there yet. I am not sure if it will be until we know everything that will happen once he is born. It is in my human nature to be anxious and a little sad at the moment, but it will pass.
We are not ever prepared for things to go differently than we expect. I really have always prayed for healthy babies and don't expect to have them just because I asked. Every parent deserves and desires a healthy child. I have gained understanding through life experiences that we can't go without suffering. Whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual. With that said, I have learned that we can pray for certain things and have faith. Ultimately, God's will is what prevails and what will occur. See the thing about life is we can't see God's bigger picture for our lives, let alone our children. He has a big plan through all of this uncertainty. I know with all my heart that no matter how Gregory's heart looks after birth it will be okay, God is good, no matter, what bottom line!!! So as well intentioned as your he will be okay comments are. God is in control is better and we are praying for him. I want everything to be okay more than anyone, I have after all been carrying him for 9 months. I desired him for months before he was conceived, to the point of tears in my prayers. So please just be prayerful for us right now, it is honestly the only thing that is keeping me going. Our Lord knows my heart's desire and prayers are so powerful!!!!
My next post should be his birth announcement, so stay tuned! :) <3
This pregnancy has been pretty good until this last trimester. With my history of prodomal laboring to low blood platelets. Then getting a suspected heart defect in little baby boy. It just shows how unpredictable life can be. Sharing all this helps me cope and stay hopeful.
So the reason they sent us to a pediatric cardiologist was because his pulmonary valve was dilated in comparison to the aortic valve. So there is what is called a pulmonary stenosis. This can resolve on its own as he grows, which was good to hear. The problem which she saw and took about two hours trying to see through the echo-cardiogram is what is called a coarctation of the aorta. In babies in the womb there is what is called a ductus arteriosus which connects the pulmonary valve to the aortic artery. Now once they are born it will close up because it is not needed to help blood flow to the heart anymore. The problem is for a glimpse she did see a slight kink in the aortic artery right where it connects, as well as blood flowing out which is typical and not so typical blood going back in. So once he is born that kink can cause tissue to close up the aortic artery, which gives blood flow to lower parts of the body. The time frame that it closes is from a few hours to a few days. This is why he will need another echo-cardiogram as soon as he is born. She couldn't get a clear view of how severe it is, but it explains the back flow blood they see and the pulmonary stenosis. She also hopes she was exaggerating what she did see and because of the uncertainty we have precautions to take for him to be treated. So the plan is we can deliver at our original hospital and have all the needed tests. If there is a coarctation of the aorta he will be stabilized with a temporary line to help keep the aortic artery open until the pediatric cardiologists decides the best course of action once transferred to the other hospital. They can help it stay open with a cardiac catheterization which is inserted through a main artery in the leg. How they will do it is still dependent on the severity of the coarctation. Apparently only 1% of babies have a heart defect and nothing I ate or did/didn't eat or do had to do with this. Can you see now why I am anxious and trying hard not to be? I am feeling not great with all the contracting and my excitement for someone about to welcome a new baby is not quite there yet. I am not sure if it will be until we know everything that will happen once he is born. It is in my human nature to be anxious and a little sad at the moment, but it will pass.
We are not ever prepared for things to go differently than we expect. I really have always prayed for healthy babies and don't expect to have them just because I asked. Every parent deserves and desires a healthy child. I have gained understanding through life experiences that we can't go without suffering. Whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual. With that said, I have learned that we can pray for certain things and have faith. Ultimately, God's will is what prevails and what will occur. See the thing about life is we can't see God's bigger picture for our lives, let alone our children. He has a big plan through all of this uncertainty. I know with all my heart that no matter how Gregory's heart looks after birth it will be okay, God is good, no matter, what bottom line!!! So as well intentioned as your he will be okay comments are. God is in control is better and we are praying for him. I want everything to be okay more than anyone, I have after all been carrying him for 9 months. I desired him for months before he was conceived, to the point of tears in my prayers. So please just be prayerful for us right now, it is honestly the only thing that is keeping me going. Our Lord knows my heart's desire and prayers are so powerful!!!!
My next post should be his birth announcement, so stay tuned! :) <3
Gregory's profile
Little cutie!!
"Sing praise to the Lord, you faithful;
give thanks to his holy memory.
For his anger lasts for a moment;
his favor lifetime.
At dusk weeping comes for a night;
but at dawn there is rejoicing."
Psalm 30:5-6
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