Friends, we know that seeing specialists and hearing your child could potentially have cardiac issues after receiving a prenatal diagnosis can all be overwhelming. We also know that while months of celebrating and advocating for awareness can be helpful, but also adds to those valid overwhelming feelings when you’re new to a diagnosis. While those statistics are true, 50% of babies born with Down syndrome are born with heart defects. There are also incredible advancements in cardiology and amazing physicians like our guest this week Dr. Lorraine Schratz there for your family every step of the way!
Dr. Schratz is a pediatric and fetal cardiologist at Massachusetts General for Children and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. She acknowledges the fear that comes with a diagnosis but emphasizes the advancements in medicine that have led to fewer follow-up surgeries for people with Down syndrome. Dr. Schratz stresses the importance of providing families with both medical facts and emotional support, tailoring information to their needs, and encouraging patients to ask as many questions as they need to. She shares her advice to create healthy habits for our kiddos with and without heart defects, what to expect when receiving a diagnosis, and recommends resources for support. We’re so grateful for conversations like these, and in the words that Dr. Schratz’s patients wanted to send us, “It’ll be ok!”
---
SHOW NOTES
DISCOUNT CODE
Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code PODCAST for 10% off!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR:
Thank you, Enable SNP for sponsoring this episode!
HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE
Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!
LET’S CHAT
Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.
154. Community Over Competition, ft. Chantele Holm - Podcaster + Lucky Mama
153. It's World Down Syndrome Day!
152. Restoring the Down Syndrome Story - ft. Katie Quesada, Storytelling Coach & Speaker
151. Finding People That Don't Feel Sorry For You (ft. Jo Lopez)
150. Cole Sibus on Being An Actor w/Down Syndrome, Moving Away From Home, + SO Much More!
149. The Only Black Mama In The Room - ft. Ashley Dirks (mother/advocate)
148. Diversity in the Down Syndrome Community
147. Resources for Black History Month - Movies, Podcasts, Books, & More!
146. It's Black History Month! Let's Talk About It.
145. Just the Three of Us.. on Grief, New Year's Resolutions, & What's to Come in 2022
#THROWBACK: What do you wish you knew when you got your child's diagnosis?
#Throwback: Disability Representation In The Media w/Gail Williamson (Talent Agent & Mother)
#THROWBACK: Tell Me You're Raising A Child w/DS Without Telling Me You're Raising A Child w/DS
#THROWBACK: "A Life Meant to be Lived," w/Karen Gaffney (Self-Advocate & Open-Water Swimmer)
#THROWBACK: Discussing "Dignity Beyond Accomplishment," An Article by Justin Hawkins (ft. author, Justin Hawkins)
#THROWBACK: "More Than A Moment," w/Kelli Caughman
144. How To Keep The Holidays Happy
143. Our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide!
142. Our Kids are #WorthTheConversation (Sexual Abuse, Safety, & Body Autonomy in the DS Community)
141. Finding “Joy” Through International Adoption (ft. Rebekah Lyons)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
History Storytime - For Kids
Privacy Boys
Nonsensical Show
The Art of War
Gulliver’s Travels
Dr. Laura Call of the Day
Focus on the Family with Jim Daly