I am strong because I got pregnant when my son was 10 months old.
I am strong because it was after a miscarriage and I spent my entire first trimester in fear of losing this baby too.
I am strong because I planned to birth at a birthing center.
I am strong because after only 3.5 hours of labor I welcomed my baby girl into this world in the water.
I am strong because I remained calm as it took her four whole minutes to take her first breath.
I am strong because at 4 days old my daughters pediatrician heard a heart murmur and referred us over to our local children’s hospital.
I am strong because eve though she said it was no rush, I demanded to be seen the next day.
I am strong because at five days old, my perfectly healthy baby, was diagnosed with multiple congenital heart defects.
I am strong because I let my six day old baby be wheeled away from me and have open heart surgery.
I am strong because she was so small she needed a shunt instead of a repair surgery.
I am strong because after her surgery I made it my goal to breastfeed.
I am strong because her vocal cords were paralyzed during surgery and we were sent home on a feeding tube.
I am strong because I pumped and fed her breastmilk through her nasogastric tube.
I am strong because she was exclusively breastfeeding by 6 weeks old.
I am strong because less than 2% of heart babies breastfeed.
I am strong because she is thriving. She is meeting all milestones and beating all odds.
I am strong because I believe I her strength.
I am strong because I advocate for my daughters health every single day.
I am strong because my daughter has another open heart surgery at 4 months old in just two weeks.
I am strong because I will have to hold it together as I let go if my precious baby for a second time.
I am strong because I am a mother. A mother to a little girl who I am teaching to have her own strength.
{Story submitted by mama Brittney Beus.}
Recommended Reading
{I Am Strong} Making Peace with the Epidural
Special Needs Baby: Our Tracheostomy Journey {I am Strong}
Loss, Rainbow Baby, Heart Surgery {I Am Strong}
I Am Strong – MoMo Twins 
I Am Strong – Because of Hudson- I Am Strong – A Premature Birth Story
- I Am Strong – VBAC Without Fear
I Am Strong {Breastfeeding in a Modern World}
The Best Laid Plans Often Go Astray {I Am Strong}
I Am Strong {Because We Have Each Other}
10 Comments
Claire Comeau
Thank you for sharing. My daughters CHD was discovered at 2 weeks old, and had emergency OHS 2 days later. I pumped 6-8times a day for 6 months to give her the best I could. Our heart babies are true warriors♡
Ashley
yay! I’m a heart baby mom too! Keep advocating for your little one. You’re amazing!
Stephanie
You’re doing a great job.
Amy H
<3 You are truly Strong! We went through our pregnancies together.. Your lil miss is beautiful, and you accomplished so much… Cant wait to see her grow up to be as strong as her mama
Nikki
You are not alone. I did this too – two heart surgeries, pumping, and eventually breastfeeding successfully. He’s now a 3.5 year old boy who has never been below the 90th percentile on his growth curves and is in great health. If it wasn’t for the scars, you would never know. If you want to talk to someone who has walked this path, Shary, please get in touch. In the meantime, I’ll be thinking of you and your family.
Rhiannon
Amazingly strong!
Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers
lindsey
Yes You Are! Thanks for spreading awareness about Congenital Heart Defects. I too am a heart mom! We are strong!
Jessica
Way to go Momma!!! You are amazing and are giving your precious princess the best start to life! I am a NICU and pediatric nurse and not enough mommas nurse their cardiac babies. I will share your story with other mommas to help them find their strength too! <3
Heftziba
You are strong and you help others be strong by sharing yours with us. We pray for you and lend our strength to you in the weeks, months, years to follow.
Rachel
Thank you so much for sharing. As the mom of a warrior baby too I totally understand all that you have said, and could not have said it better myself.
My Miracle is turning three tomorrow and her brother will be here in a month….there is a future and it is awesome. 🙂