Natalie

Natalie was eight months when it first.happened. my baby was crying one minute the next she was blue, her eyes rolled into the back of her head, she stopped breathing, then lost consciousness and once she was out she started breathing. The next 30 seconds were the longest of my life and I'll never forget the feeling of terror I felt sitting on the floor waiting for my baby to come too. She finally opened her eyes and was groggy and lethargic for the next hour or so and then had a nap. When she awoke from the nap she was back to her spunky little self. The next time it happened she was in her car seat and I was getting into the van, something must have startled her and I heard a gasp and Joe shouted that she was blue. I then opened her door and she had just started breathing again. I felt helpless there was no reason I could see why she was doing this.

   We took her to the hospital and we're blessed by being able to see our own dr. She was definitely concerned.  They ran tests and all they could see was that Natalies blood oxygen was a little low (right where I'd should have been from just passing out) after consulting with a pediatrician the doctor diagnosed her with Breath holding syndrome.  We have done our research and have changed our displine techniques based on Natalies needs. Between the 8 month old and now (23 months) she has at least one a day and up to 5 spells sone days we get super luck and have none but those are rare. 

     Basically what happens is she is not capable to control her emotions and once she is set off (as we call it) it's very rare we can bring her out if it. It's been happening so often that I can tell by her cry and emotional state if it will happen and I can protect her body the best I can. As a mother I can not give in to her every will and want and I can not let her use this to manipulate us into giving her what she wants. She is a little young for this but it can and has happened to other families and then we would have a big mess on our hands.

     We have been through a little bit medically as parents and I believe we are not over reacting. These episodes are scary and to an on looker can look like a seizure.  In Natalies case she was too young when they started, most children start when they are 2 or so and can continue to the age of 6.  We are going through further testing due to her age when she started and the frequency of the spells.  Also with our family heart issues they are looking at her heart more thoroughly.

Thanks for listening and please pray that we will have peace during the testing and that the doctors will have knowledge and help us get through this.