Tetraolgy of the Fallot

[skybie]

Thanks untold angel. have been in contact with heart kids, theyre wonderfully gentle and kind. organsing some councilling for us and for DD1 so she understands why her baby brother has to go back to hospital for a while

[MistyFying]

Hi Skybie

My son had congentital heart defects when he was born. He didn't have Tetraolgy of the Fallot, but he did have two of the four issues associated with the condition - pulmonary stenosis and ventricular septum defects. He also had atrioventricular septum defects .

He had two lots of surgery. The first one he was three days old and they did closed heart surgery to repair the stenosis and insert a band. The second surgery they did when he was three months old was to repair the holes and that was open heart surgery involving bypass.

He had to stay in hospital from the time he was born until his recovery from the second surgery.

Often cardiac babies aren't able to suck (the holes in the heart impact the respiratory system) and are fed in the first instance via a nasal gastric tube, hence you may want to source a good expressing machine before he arrives.

And sometimes circulation is an issue and babies find it hard to warm up their extremities - so if you know anyone who knits ask them to make some warm booties, beanies and gloves.

Hope that's helpful Skybie - all the best.

[My Three Sons]

Glad you have been able to find some counseling for you all, and some support at heart kids. xoxo