With the month of March being National Birth Defect Prevention Month, what better interview to conduct than one from a mom that gave birth to a baby with a birth defect. Dr. Meg talks with Stacey Mandel about her daughter who was born at 27 weeks and how she handled having a premature baby and also her feelings about her newborn daughter’s birth defect. Because of an incredible, life-saving injection of pulmonary surfactants (developed with funding provided by the March of Dimes), Stacey’s daughter Maxi was able to survive being born very early and without any lung defects. This conversation is an incredible testament to modern medicine helping provide life in an otherwise hopeless situation. Also in this episode, Dr. Meg will give you her points to ponder that you can start using right away. If you have a question you want Dr. Meeker to answer in a future episode or on the Meeker Parenting Community page, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.com and listen to see if your question is featured next!   0:00 – AD – MARCH OF DIMES March of Dimes is the leader in the fight for the health of all moms and babies. They support research, lead programs, and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, they empower every mom and every family. For more information, visit MarchOfDimes.org/parentinggreatkids!   1:14 – WELCOME Dr. Meg introduces the topic “Parenting a Child with a Birth Defect” along with her guest Stacey Mandel and teases her points to ponder that you can start using right away.   2:33 – A CONVERSATION WITH STACEY MANDEL (PART 1) Dr. Meeker talks with Stacey Mandel about the challenges of giving birth to a premature baby and subsequently managing the fears around birth defects and surgery that helps correct them.   16:50 – AD – MARCH OF DIMES March of Dimes is the leader in the fight for the health of all moms and babies. They support research, lead programs, and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, they empower every mom and every family. For more information, visit MarchOfDimes.org/parentinggreatkids!   17:49 – A CONVERSATION WITH STACEY MANDEL (PART 2) Dr. Meeker talks with Stacey Mandel about the challenges of giving birth to a premature baby and subsequently managing the fears around birth defects and surgery that helps correct them.   32:32 – POINTS TO PONDER Dr. Meg gives you her points to ponder as you learn more about parenting a child with a birth defect.   35:01 – PARENT PEP RALLY   35:31 – FROM THE PRODUCER Thanks for listening to Episode 102, Parenting A Child With A Birth Defect and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than FOUR MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!   Get Social with Dr. Meg on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @MegMeekerMD   Have a parenting question? Write Dr. Meg at askmeg@megmeekermd.com and she could answer your question during the show or you can let us know what you’d like to hear about in a future episode!   Dr. Meg’s parenting resources and tools are available at www.megmeekermd.com and click on “Parenting Resources”. Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!   36:03 – END