On February 8^th, 2017, our lives changed forever. We found out our baby boy, Theo was going to be born with a major heart defect that would require multiple surgeries after he was born. Theo was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a very rare and complex heart defect. During pregnancy, Theo was monitored very closely by the wonderful staff at Perinatal Associates of New Mexico, along with his cardiologist. We were told we would need to relocate to Aurora, Colorado to deliver Theo at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Very few surgeons can perform the necessary procedures, but this hospital has one of the finest surgeons to do the job. We began making plans and the necessary arrangements with the help of the Fetal Care coordinator, Mia, at Perinatal Associates of New Mexico. Theo was born on July 7^th, 2017 (7/7/17, lucky 7s!) in Aurora. We were so fortunate to be able to spend 4 days with Theo before his first surgery, a luxury that many heart parents aren’t afforded. Theo’s Norwood procedure was performed on July 11^th, by the incredible Dr. Jaggers, and it was complication free. We were on the road to recovery so we could go home and enjoy our little guy outside of a hospital room. That was the beginning of a very long, bumpy, stressful, and frustrating road. Theo would spend the next 9 weeks in the hospital and undergo a total of 2 open heart surgeries and 1 heart cath, each carrying the same risks and concerns. We were discharged in early September and able to go home shortly thereafter. We enjoyed a relatively quiet 2 month at home before Theo’s heart told us he was ready for his next surgery. After a little scare on a Saturday morning in November, Theo was put on an emergency life flight to Children’s Hospital Colorado, and he had his Glenn procedure, his 3^rd open heart surgery at 4 months old, on the Monday before Thanksgiving, 2017. Six days post-surgery we were discharged and were able to travel back to Albuquerque 2 days later. We’ve been home since then with no scares and enjoying every minute of it. Theo is doing amazing. His cardiologist could not be more pleased. Theo has fought so hard, and we are so proud of him. We constantly remind ourselves not to compare journeys of other HLHS babies. CHD is unpredictable, scary, and stressful. There are so many unknowns and surprises. We always have to be on our toes. Every heart parent knows what I am talking about, and if you are reading this because you just received a diagnosis, you are not alone. There are many resources available to help navigate through this journey, and many other families going through a similar journey. -The Mikelsons

So thankful to these guys!!! Amazing doctors... very caring and helpful!! -Cabrini Rockey

Please let Dr.Brennan know that he was always my light on my darkest days! His kind demeanor always put me at ease when I was going through really stressful situations! I will forever be indebted to him and everyone at PANM. All of you helped make my dreams become a reality and I could never repay all of you for your amazing bedside manor! I have had the pleasure of getting to know every one of the doctors in the office and ever single one of them was wonderful! Dr. Ruma, is seriously one of the smartest men I’ve ever met. Dr Joffe is also brilliant! I have never seen anyone “know his stuff” like Dr. Argubright! But I will always for ever and ever hold a special place in my heart for Dr. Brennan! Please give him a huge hug from me and let him know my Brody is just the light of this world and without his help.....well, all this awesomeness just wouldn’t be possible! Thank you so much all of you! -Bernadette Baca-Torres

If it would not have been for Perinatal Associates of New Mexico and for the amazing care provided by all staff here, my son would not have made it into this world! He was a complete surprise and shock to my husband and myself! From not knowing that I was pregnant  to becoming high risk and getting in so quickly and being watched so closely to being able to welcome a new baby into our home would not have been possible without the care and concern of these wonderful people! I cannot express the gratitude in any amount of words that I have for the people at this place! This is a great place and people really do care about you as well as your baby! So friendly and understanding on so many levels! I will forever be grateful for everyone who helped us welcome a beautiful baby boy into this world! -Thomas, Cindy and Angelo

I was referred to Perinatal Associates due to Advanced Maternal Age so my first initial appointment was pretty lengthy having met with a Genetic Counselor and then the ultrasound and consult w/ a doctor to follow. I learned things I wasn't even aware of and may seem scary to some people, but I found that the information given was very helpful for future planning. The Providers and staff were very knowledgeable, kind, understanding and caring! I'm grateful that I didn't have any real complications other than my age, but if I did I am confident that Perinatal Associates would have held my hand and yours should you need it through any uncertainties, time of need and/ or difficulties. The entire staff is amazing from the Front office all the way up to the Providers. -Carolina

In 2006 my husband and I were blessed to find out we were expecting our second child. Little did we know the pregnancy was going to be completely different then our first pregnancy. I was hospitalized very early in the pregnancy with preeclampsia. Had it not been for the continuous monitoring and unbelievable care of the PANM’s physicians’, techs and nurses my husband and I would have never had the pleasure of being Gracie’s parents. Two years later in 2008 under close watch by all of the PANM staff, we brought Mr. Luke into this wonderful world. With no sign of preeclampsia thanks to our pre pregnancy consult with Dr. Joffe. We are so blessed to have such an amazing facility here in the Albuquerque area to take care of theses little miracles, and their Mama’s!