Hi, I’m Angie, Zach’s mom.  The other stories posted here are great, so I thought I should add Zach’s story too.

I had a mostly uneventful pregnancy.  I had a little pre-term labor at 32 weeks due to getting dehydrated from the flu.  Luckily, bed rest and medicine got this under control and Zach was not born for another 7 weeks. 

I was induced at 39 weeks gestation because an ultrasound at 36 and 1/2 weeks showed (1) an enlarged left kidney and (2) that Zach was at least 7 or 8 pounds at that time!  Zach weighed in at 9 pounds 4 ounces and was 21 inches long.  He did need some brief resuscitation, as his cord was wrapped around his neck 3 times!  It was a little scary when I heard that his 1 minute apgar was a “1.”  But… at 5 minutes it was up to “8” so I couldn’t complain.

One of the NICU doctors actually recognized some of the signs of BWS within about 10 minutes of his birth.  This wonderful doctor called in a specialist to examine Zach and give us an opinion.  The specialist agreed with the first doctor and we had a diagnosis before Zach was even a day old.  Lots of tests ensued, but finally we got him home after only 5 days at the hospital.

Zach never had any feeding or breathing problems.  At our doctor’s suggestion we always had Zach sleep on his side rather than his back so that his tongue would not block his airway.  He progressed normally, crawled at about 6 months and walked about a week before his first birthday. 

Zach will be 2 on April 21, 2000.  He is doing great.  He doesn’t walk anymore HE RUNS.  He is also very big on climbing!  To this point he has had the good sense to realize that he is up pretty high and can’t get down very well, so I often hear him yelling “Mommy!  Help, Down!” 

Zach has not had any speech therapy, but he talks up a storm.  He repeats everything and actually makes little sentences!  We are debating if we should have a tongue reduction done, as we have heard as many opinions as we have seen doctors.  We will be visiting Dr. Marsh soon to help us clear up some of our questions. 

The best thing about having a child with BWS (or any other thing that makes them “different”) is what that child can teach you.  I am not ashamed to admit that when Zach was born I asked God more than one time “What did I do wrong to be given a child with a disability?  I took care of myself, got plenty of rest, ate right.”  The answer really surprised me.  I can tell you without a doubt that God spoke to me loud and clear one day and told me, “I did not give you this wonderful child because you did something wrong!  I gave you this child because I believe in you!  He is not an average baby, and you are not average parents.”   From that day on, I have never looked at the BWS as anything other than another one of God’s blessings in disguise! 
 

Angie
(Proud Mommy of Zach)

April, 2000