Chris and Edith Micha, baby Markus

Specialists Waited Onsite as our Baby was being Born Told by parents Chris and Edith, Farmington Hills, Michigan

EDITH

What a long, whirl of a story this is… Chris and I had tried to get pregnant with quite a few infertility treatments, and finally last autumn, we tried in-vitro fertilization. Within a month, our doctor heard a heartbeat, and that's how we found out our precious baby was on the way.

About 19 weeks into our pregnancy, our doctor found a potential problem during a routine ultrasound. It could have been a cleft lip or palate, or a problem on the face. Our doctor referred us to Hutzel Hospital for a 3-dimensional ultrasound, which allowed doctors a better look at what was going on with our baby. It was a rare cyst on the tongue which would grow to the size of a cherry tomato at birth, but it would most likely not cause any lasting problems. We are grateful, because it could have caused breathing or other airway problems had it been larger or situated differently.

Hutzel genetic counselors referred us to a pediatric ear/nose/throat (ENT) surgeon, Dr. Russell Faust, who encouraged us to consider delivering at a hospital where a pediatric ENT would not only be on call, but would be on site, waiting in case our baby needed immediate treatment for the cyst. With that, we decided to deliver at Hutzel where treatment at Children's Hospital of Michigan was only a tunnel away.

CHRIS

Edith went into labor in mid-July, a month early, but accepting baby's own timetable is just the first of many adjustments we as parents learn to make! We decided to check it out at the closest suburban hospital, and they confirmed Edith was indeed in labor. An ambulance transferred her to Hutzel where pediatric ENTs were waiting in case of any complications to treat our baby immediately.

Edith delivered in the operating room, with more than a dozen medical professionals supporting us in case of any complications. I know most fathers say the same thing, but yes, to see my wife deliver our firstborn son was such a gift and blessing, it was a front-row view of one of nature's most profound miracles, a privilege for us and a gift from the Heavenly Father.

Markus was strong enough that Dr. Faust allowed him two days to 'get used to the world' before removing the cyst surgically. Markus was able to breastfeed after just a day - something the doctors found amazing! And his weight more than doubled in just a month. He is an incredible little boy, and we the most lucky - but occasionally fatigued - parents in the world!