Common Heart Defects
*Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) - The ductus arteriosus (DA) is a normal blood vessel in the developing fetus that diverts circulation away from the lungs and sends it directly to the body. (The lungs are not used while the unborn fetus is in amniotic fluid — the fetus gets oxygen directly from the mother's placenta.) The DA usually closes on its own shortly after birth; it is no longer needed once a newborn breathes independently. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occurs when the DA doesn't close, which can result in too much blood flow to a newborn's lungs. PDA is common in premature babies.
*Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) - The patent foramen ovale is a normal hole between the upper chambers of the heart. It is present in the unborn fetus and usually seals up in the first few months of life. In approximately 25% of people, this hole never fully closes. Usually, it does not cause problems and does not require treatment. So today Sean had an Echo of his heart and n EKG. He's so sweet. He just dozed off with his baba in his mama's arms while they did the procedures. :-) Then we went to the exam room.
The first thing the cardiologist said when she saw Sean was "WOW! Look at that chuncker!" :-)
The second thing she said was "Sean's heart is "perfect." That means, Sean's ductus arteriosus and "hole" have closed.
Then she asked "What's in his bottle? I said "Breastmilk." She said "That's all? How much did he weigh at birth?" I said "5 lbs. 13oz." She said "I wish all my patients moms had that kind of milk. He weighs 13 lbs. 7oz. and he's 23 inches long." WHOA! YAY!! For mama's milk! 
I am EXTREMLY THANKFUL about the milk I am producing. It's absolutely fascinating that God made my body to produce milk to nourish this little, big guy. Even though it's from a pump I am super GRATEFUL.
