Diaphragm Drama!

Who would have thought that a diaphragm could cause so many problems?
Well little madam Smiths certainly has! When we were first diagnosed with CHD back at 2o weeks the cardiologist thought she saw a ‘Diaphragmatic hernia’ that was causing babies heart to be pushed to the right and stomach in the left side of the chest. The end result with this and severe CHD was a baby that would not survive past birth…we were sent straight to fetal medicine for more scans and it was then said the diaphragm looked fine. PHEW!

Fast forward 4 weeks and we presented again with the news “we think your baby has a diaphragmatic hernia” – WHAT THE HECK! I’m telling you this journey is such a roller coaster. I can see why pregnant women should not ride them, its stressful! I was hesitant until she drew us  a picture, it was identical to that of the original the cardiologist had previously drawn and we thought then it couldn’t be a coincidence.

To answer it once and for all I was sent last Monday for an MRI. That was awkward; being naked in a hospital gown and answering questions from the male radiographer – eeek

Today we finally got an answer – No she doesn’t have a hernia BUT after having a specialist look at the images from Sheffield she diagnosed ‘Eventration of the Diaphragm’. We still do not know much about this, just that it means its abnormally high and isn’t muscle but has formed from  fibroelastic tissue, So it doesn’t contract (is paralyzed). It seems she will need another surgery along with the 3 she faces with her heart. Her lungs also are smaller as a result. The extent will not be known until birth.

So how do we feel? Relieved to finally know the diaphragm sitch but apart from that I am pretty numb to other emotion. Were 29 weeks now and keep having stuff thrown at us that we don’t know what to think / feel!