Becoming a first-time mother is usually an emotionally charged situation for women. They take the necessary steps to ensure a happy, healthy pregnancy is carried out to term.

But the human body is prone to a myriad of defects during pregnancy, which could affect both the mother and her unborn child.

For Megan Bell and her daughter Avery, the fight for survival began about six months into Megan’s pregnancy when she was diagnosed with cystic hygroma. Cystic Hygroma essentially takes the blood flow away from the unborn child and can lead to bigger defects such as Turner or Down syndrome.

“We came (to the hospital) maybe twice a month and had to get more ultrasounds. Every time we’d listen to her heartbeat. Eventually a month went by and (doctors) said she wouldn’t make it,” Megan said.

The cystic hygroma covered Avery’s right kidney and the four chambers of her heart.

A week after doctors told Megan that Avery wouldn’t make it, things positively turned around.  Avery’s right kidney and heart chambers were visible in ultrasounds while they hygroma and fluid decreased around Avery.

“It was one of those miracle moments,” Megan said.

The news allowed Megan to enjoy her pregnancy for the first time during her term.

After giving birth, Megan had a team of doctors ready to ensure the health of her newfound love.  Through an echocardiogram, doctors found a coarctation of the aorta, which is an unusually small aorta.

“When you’re in the womb you have a ductus,” Megan said. “What happened was they had to keep the ductus up. If they closed it, blood couldn’t have pumped in to her vital organs.”

At the age of one week, Avery had her first heart surgery and went through the procedure again at seven months to replace an aortic valve.

The latter surgery was done in New York, putting a lot of strenuous tension on an exasperated Avery. She had her chest cracked opened and was put on a bypass machine.

“She was a very small child and was extremely tired. She was very weak and pale,” Megan said.

Unbeknownst to Megan and due to lack of symptoms, Avery was dying. It wasn’t until she was heading into open-heart surgery when doctors realized her state.

“I was a first-time mom … but to have her and be in that situation I had to be strong in faith at that time,” Megan said. “It was really difficult to watch her like that. It reassured my faith that God was taking control of things.”

Now, Avery is seven years old who is thriving in Kindergarten. With the skills of physicians at Blair E. Batson in Jackson, she can get responsive care without the stresses of travel.

In the coming year, Avery will need a valve replacement due to her growing heart. Megan said this surgery would be less invasive as the previous two. Cardiologist Dr. Makram Ebeid will be using catheterization, which will allow the valve to be inserting without opening her chest.

This method would reduce the recovery time in the hospital from weeks to a few days.

Avery’s initial diagnosis was Turner Syndrome but has suffered with kidney issues, IGA deficiency, growth retardation, thyroid issues, and was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease.

Nevertheless she’s a happy child.

“She’s just so loved. It really doesn’t matter where I take her people are drawn to her. She has a good spirit to her, an infectious laugh and brings light to any situation,” Megan said. “I think that’s what God blessed her with.”