Pulmonary Atresia is a very serious type of congenital heart condition. There are actually two main characteristics: 1) The pulmonary valve, which allows the blood to flow from the heart to the lungs, is completely blocked. 2) There is a large hole- ventricular septal defect- between the two main pumping chambers in the heart.
You see, in a normal heart, the blood passes the pulmonary artery to the lungs to collect oxygen. With people who have pulmonary atresia, the blood can’t pass through the artery, so it takes a different route. It passes through an area called ‘the duct’ which is usually open while the baby is being developed in the womb. This closes shortly after birth. So when ‘the duct’ closes, it’s vital that the baby gets help immediately. …show more content…
Surprisingly enough, my mother was wrong. Throughout my life she told me that she thought that she caused this by eating McDonalds every day and not taking care of her body. “It is not unusual for parents of children with congenital heart disease to blame themselves or to be angry” (Understanding your child’s heart, Pulmonary Atresia with a ventricular septal defect). My mother told me that she started to eat healthier by the time I came around, so I would have a less likely chance of having pulmonary atresia. “Most pregnant mothers, and their partners ask themselves what they did during their pregnancy that could of caused their baby’s heart to develop with heart disease. But the reality is that it could happen to anyone. In fact congenital heart disease happens in about 7 in every 1,000 pregnancies” (Understanding your child’s heart, Pulmonary Atresia with a ventricular septal defect). It truly hurts to think that my mother thought this was her fault, even though it's not. Now that she knows it’s her fault, she will still think it. As a result of my research, I have found that having pulmonary atresia may be a big downsize to one’s life, but it certainly doesn't have to stop you from doing what you love. Tyler, or any kid, can continue to do sports, or anything they want! There will be downsides: doctor visits, and heart surgeries every 15 years. I now know what causes Pulmonary Atresia way better than I did before! Surprisingly, I feel like I have a stronger connection to Tyler and will have better understandings at the next doctor
You see, in a normal heart, the blood passes the pulmonary artery to the lungs to collect oxygen. With people who have pulmonary atresia, the blood can’t pass through the artery, so it takes a different route. It passes through an area called ‘the duct’ which is usually open while the baby is being developed in the womb. This closes shortly after birth. So when ‘the duct’ closes, it’s vital that the baby gets help immediately. …show more content…
Surprisingly enough, my mother was wrong. Throughout my life she told me that she thought that she caused this by eating McDonalds every day and not taking care of her body. “It is not unusual for parents of children with congenital heart disease to blame themselves or to be angry” (Understanding your child’s heart, Pulmonary Atresia with a ventricular septal defect). My mother told me that she started to eat healthier by the time I came around, so I would have a less likely chance of having pulmonary atresia. “Most pregnant mothers, and their partners ask themselves what they did during their pregnancy that could of caused their baby’s heart to develop with heart disease. But the reality is that it could happen to anyone. In fact congenital heart disease happens in about 7 in every 1,000 pregnancies” (Understanding your child’s heart, Pulmonary Atresia with a ventricular septal defect). It truly hurts to think that my mother thought this was her fault, even though it's not. Now that she knows it’s her fault, she will still think it. As a result of my research, I have found that having pulmonary atresia may be a big downsize to one’s life, but it certainly doesn't have to stop you from doing what you love. Tyler, or any kid, can continue to do sports, or anything they want! There will be downsides: doctor visits, and heart surgeries every 15 years. I now know what causes Pulmonary Atresia way better than I did before! Surprisingly, I feel like I have a stronger connection to Tyler and will have better understandings at the next doctor