Caleb's Heart Story: Our Rainbow Baby

Friday, April 1, 2011

Our Rainbow Baby

First, I want to thank everyone for all their prayers, positive thoughts, and love. It means so much! This morning was my ultrasound to look at the heart, and to see if there are 4 chambers. Nervous doesn't even BEGIN to describe how I've been feeling. And what did we see???.......................................... 4 CHAMBERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heartrate was at 165 bpm, everything looks good, and we now know the gender...... What's your guess?! ;) Well, Caleb and Kailey are going to have........... a baby BROTHER. It's a boy!!!

Echo will be at about 20 weeks. I will be seeing the same cardiologist that I saw with Caleb's pregnancy.

16 comments:

StaceyApril 1, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Tears of JOY!!! Congratulations on 4 chambers. Oh, the things people take for granted... Love to you and your family today. God Bless your Rainbow Baby. xoxo.
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It's a Full HouseApril 1, 2011 at 10:41 AM
I seriously started crying when you texted me, Lauren!!!!! I'm so happy for you all. Hooray for 4 chambers!!!!!!!! Love you!
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JillianApril 1, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Rebekah WilsonApril 1, 2011 at 11:06 AM
That picture holds more significance than anyone will ever truely know. CONGRATULATIONS CALEB AND KAILEY!
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Kathy KApril 1, 2011 at 11:47 AM
i'm so happy for you, congratulations
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ShellyApril 1, 2011 at 11:58 AM
This is truly awesome!!! I can't describe how happy we all are for your family!!! I'll bet kailey is over the moon, too!
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UnknownApril 1, 2011 at 12:16 PM
So exciting Lauren, congrats on 4 Chamber baby boy!!! Yay Kailey and Caleb on your new little brother.
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Amy BennettApril 1, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Awwww this literally made my day! SO exciting! What a wonderful blessing - not just 4 chambers, but some extra boy anatomy, too! :-) Congratulations - so many prayers and blessings on you all and your Rainbow baby!!!
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Kathy BakerApril 1, 2011 at 2:40 PM
This is the best news ever. I am so so so happy for you. You deserve all of the happiness in the world. Congratulations! I know Caleb is watching over his new baby brother!
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Tonya ChambersApril 1, 2011 at 2:41 PM
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!=D
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Wyatt's MommieApril 1, 2011 at 3:20 PM
Four chambers!!!! That is the best news ever!!! Congrats are your little boy!!! I am so happy for you!
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DanielleApril 1, 2011 at 4:56 PM
YAY!! I'm so excited for you, Lauren! Four chambers..wheat wonderful words to hear! Heart hugs to you!
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The B FamilyApril 2, 2011 at 9:59 AM
Praise GOD from whom ALL blessings flow! This precious baby boy is indeed a blessing from the Lord! I know the thanks you gave when you saw those big, beautiful FOUR chambers! Enjoy this!!!
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Cassandra BeverlyApril 2, 2011 at 6:52 PM
Wahoo! Lauren, I'm thrilled for you and your family!
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LauraApril 11, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Simply wonderful, "4 chambers". Congratulations. <3 Caleb's little brother. <3
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The Trobough'sApril 15, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Oh girl. This made me cry happy tears for you!!!!!
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CHD Facts

What is a congenital heart defect? A congenital heart defect is an abnormality in any part of the heart that is present at birth. Heart defects originate in the early weeks of pregnancy when the heart is forming. About 35,000 infants (1 out of every 125) are born with heart defects each year in the United States (1). The defect may be so slight that the baby appears healthy for many years after birth, or so severe that his life is in immediate danger.

Heart defects are among the most common birth defects and are the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths (2). However, advances in diagnosis and surgical treatment have led to dramatic increases in survival for children with serious heart defects. In the United States, about 1.4 million children and adults live with congenital heart defects today (3). Almost all are able to lead active, productive lives (1).

The American Heart Association directs only $0.30 of every dollar donated toward research. The remainder goes toward administration, education and fundraising efforts. Of the $0.30 that goes toward research only $0.01 goes toward pediatric cardiology for CHD.

Did You Know? Nearly twice as many children die from Congenital Heart Defects in the United States each year as from all forms of childhood cancers combined.

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) is a condition in which the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. Usually, the left ventricle, the left atrium, the mitral valve and the aorta are affected. It is called a syndrome because it can encompass several different variations and varying degrees of development of these parts of the heart.

Babies with HLHS do not have problems while in the womb - it is only after birth that the heart fails to work properly. This is because all babies receive oxygen from the placenta while in the womb, so blood does not need to go to the lungs. In addition, there is an opening between the pulmonary artery and the aorta, called the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) that is present in all babies. It allows the blood to go from the right ventricle out to the body, bypassing the left side of the heart.

Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD)
It is a hole in the wall separating the two lower chambers of the heart.

Coarctation of the Aorta (COA) It is a narrowing of the major artery (the aorta) that carries blood to the body.
Coarctation of the aorta occurs in about 6 to 8 percent of all children with congenital heart disease. Boys have the defect twice as often as girls do.

Large Patent Ductus Arteriosus Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a condition in which a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus fails to close normally in an infant soon after birth. (The word "patent" means open.) The condition leads to abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery, two major blood vessels surrounding the heart.

ASD-PFO
A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a defect in the septum (wall) between the two upper (atrial) chambers of the heart. Specifically, the defect is an incomplete closure of the atrial septum that results in the creation of a flap or a valve-like opening in the atrial septal wall.

Arrhythmia
An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. There are many different types of arrhythmias that range from harmless to life threatening. An arrhythmia can be regular, meaning it occurs at evenly spaced intervals, or irregular, meaning it has no pattern.

Second Degree- Heart Block
only some electrical impulses reach the ventricles. The heart may beat slowly, irregularly, or both.
On an EKG, the pattern of QRS waves doesn't follow each P wave as it normally would.

All About Caleb Thomas

*Your feet were ticklish :)

*You didn't like when the nurses changed your diaper.

*You always had your head layed to the right side.

*You made the cutest little snorting noises.

*You loved your froggie soothie buddy.

*You always tried to pull out your oxygen- and succeeded numerous times. :)

*You had the softest skin.

*Your smell is still with me- I remember it exactly.

*You had the most adorable hair... with a reddish tint.

*While in the hospital, you shared a few toots with me... I won't tell :)

*You were the strongest person I have ever met. You are my hero.

*You were PERFECT.