O Moms

Ever since we found out about Harper's condition when I was pregnant, there has been a group of women that I have been thankful for every day...my fellow omphalocele moms.

April was the first, a friend of a friend. I had never even heard of this condition but was put in touch with April almost immediately. She was so informative and reassuring to me at a time when I didn't even know how to pronounce omphalocele.

After researching, I came across Morgan's blog. Morgan started blogging about her son and his O since there was so little information out there. From there, I found the blogs of other O moms but also the Babycenter thread that so many of us are on. Meghan and Morgan were about a year ahead of me and offered so much insight. Elisabeth gave birth just two weeks before I did so we have had alot of the same experiences at the same time. Carolina was a couple of months behind me in pregnancy but was so supportive through Harper's birth and NICU stay. There are even more and our little group continues to grow and I am thankful for all of the Babycenter moms.

When Harper was born, we were paired another omphalocele baby in the hospital and I was introduced to her mom Staci. And then just after Harper was born, my cousin put me in touch with Michelle who shared the story of her beautiful daughter. Later while doing more research, I came across Katie and her blog.

I am so thankful for the support and advice I've received from these amazing women. I am so thankful for their stories on pregnancy and motherhood. I have cried tears of sorrow, tears of celebration, tears of mutual frustration and tears of utter joy for these women and their strong, couragous children. We are a unique little club and I hope that I can be as helpful to anyone that receives this diagnosis as all of these women have been to me.