Our First Trip to Iowa City: Learning more about the cleft results

As the weeks passed, we finally made our first trip to Iowa City. Despite the nerves, we were actually excited to explore where we would be delivering. Knowing that Iowa City is ranked among the top for cleft lip and palate repair gave us a sense of reassurance—we were in the best hands possible. This appointment was crucial in determining whether our baby’s cleft involved the palate as well. We were scheduled for a detailed ultrasound, followed by a consultation with the maternal-fetal medicine specialists.

Our new normal visits!

Our little one remained as stubborn as ever during the scan, but they were ultimately able to confirm that the palate was involved. This meant feeding would be more challenging, and we would need special bottles ready from the start. The doctors were incredibly kind and reassured us that we were not considered high-risk. In fact, they told us we had the option to deliver in our hometown instead of Iowa City. We left feeling a little more at ease, knowing we had a plan in place and a supportive team behind us.

Waiting to meet our ultrasound tech

However, during a follow-up appointment back home, our local doctors strongly recommended that we deliver in Iowa City after all. We hadn’t fully prepared for this change, but we trusted their expertise. Some babies with cleft palates require extra oxygen or specialized care at birth, and having immediate access to the cleft team was the best decision for our little one. Iowa City would not only provide the best medical care, but they would also supply us with the special bottles and ensure our baby received the necessary support from day one.

By this point, something shifted within me. I realized that I didn’t need to hide or be cautious about our baby’s diagnosis—we wanted to be proud. We wanted to raise

awareness, not just for our baby but for other families experiencing the same journey. We wanted our child to grow up knowing they are strong, unique, and not alone. The transformation these surgeries can achieve is truly incredible, but more than that, we knew our baby was already perfect just as they were.

We have connected with so many parents who have walked this path before us, and the support has been so reassuring. Pregnancy doesn’t always go exactly as planned, but knowing our baby will be healthy and cared for by the best team brings us immense peace. Delivering in Iowa City feels like the right choice, and we are embracing this journey with confidence and gratitude.

In the next blog, I’ll dive into our visit with the cleft team and what our baby’s first year will look like as we prepare for their care and treatment.