The Post Every Pregnant Woman Should Read...

...This post is courtesy of Cora's Story and written by Cora's mom & my friend, Kristine. But I agree: definitely a post every pregnant woman (or even any woman thinking of getting pregnant) should read:

The post every pregnant woman should read.

by Kristine Brite McCormick

I decided to write it all down. Everything I wished I'd known about the most common birth defect. I know when I was pregnant, reading information about SIDS or car seat safety was tough, but after realizing that knowledge might save my child's life should they have one of those conditions, I powered through.


Reading about CHD is something every pregnant woman should take a few moments to do. Knowing the signs and symptoms and researching detection methods saves lives.

I know sharing Cora's Story with pregnant friends and family isn't always easy. But, I hope that you'll help. That you'll share this post (share on Facebook or Twitter). No family should ever be blindsided by the most common of all birth defects, occurring in about 1 in 100 births. Just remember, I'm not a doctor. Just a mom.

I present to you, a crash course in congenital heart defects (CHD), or what I wished I'd known about CHD before giving birth.

I found out after my daughter died that she had a congenital heart defect. When I first heard about it, I thought it must be something rare, for me, an educated woman that read everything I could while pregnant to no nothing about it. Turns out, it's not rare at all as far as medical issues in children go. Congenital heart defects are a leading cause of death in children and infants.

Some places, name CHD as the leading cause of death in infants. But, and this is a huge but, most CHD children live. In fact, medicine has improved outcomes for these patients so well, that more adults currently live with CHD than children. It's a hidden disability for these adult and children patients.


About CHD


Over 35 different types of CHD are known, and each defect looks a bit different in each patient. So, each CHD heart is like a snowflake, no two alike. Chances are you know someone with a CHD. Some defects require nothing but an extra doctor's visit every few years, while some are more serious and require a series of surgeries. Often someone figures out that they or their child has a CHD after talking to me about Cora's story. They just weren't aware because the doctor never used the term "congenital heart" with them.


While we're on the subject, congenital heart means simply born with, so a person with CHD is always born with the issues.


The exact cause of CHD isn't know. There's a genetic link, but CHD can happen to anyone. For example, there's no known CHD background on either side of Cora's family.

Nothing detects congenital heart defects all the time. But, early detection improves outcomes. The defects can go undetected into adulthood.


There's not really a cure for CHD either. Surgery can mend the heart and medications can keep things under control.

This makes CHD even more scary. Awareness doesn't mean much unless there's a reason to make everyone aware. And, there are things that pregnant woman can do to reduce the odds of having a CHD baby, having a child go undetected, and picking up on the signs of a CHD.


While Pregnant

Take a folic acid supplement. In fact, talk to your doctor about starting this before you're pregnant. There's a link to folic acid deficiency and CHD.


Don't smoke even if you're thinking about getting pregnant. Quitting when you find out isn't really an option. The heart develops early in pregnancy.

You know the ultrasound? The big one around 20 weeks where you find out if you're having a boy or girl? It's also to look at the baby's development. Ask your ultrasound technician about the heart and if all chambers are present.


After Birth


Ultrasounds, fetal echos, and doctor suspicion after noticing irregular in utero heart rates all lead to detection. But, many defects aren't found until later.


Ask if the doctors or nurses hear a murmur. A murmur often occurs and can be harmless, but can signal something else.

Request your child be screened with pulse oximetry after 24 hours of life. Your baby should be calmed and anything below a 95 might signal a need for extra testing. Talk to your doctor about adding the pulse oximetry in while your child is at the hospital. Some hospitals routinely use this simple, cheap, noninvasive test, but others don't. This easy test saves lives. Ask for it.

Memorize warnings signs of a possible congenital heart defect. In a newborn, dusky coloring, turning blue, trouble feeding, rapid breathing, sweating along the forehead, and tiring easily are warning signs. Report any symptoms to a doctor and request an examination.


Please share this important post to bring us one step closer to making sure every mother, father, and expecting parent knows about the most common birth defect.

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Thank you, Kristine, for taking the time to write this & to inform people of

some of the "basics" of CHD!

I love and admire you greatly!!!