KCTV 5: A Kansas City family's journey through fetal heart block
At 21 weeks pregnant with their first child, Reese, Taylor and Caleb Jeter received life-changing news: their unborn daughter had fetal heart block, a rare condition that disrupts the heart’s electrical system and can cause a dangerously slow heartbeat.
Living overseas at the time, the family was referred to Children's Mercy, where a multidisciplinary team of specialists came together to guide them through the remainder of the pregnancy and prepare for Reese’s complex care needs after birth.
Through careful monitoring and coordinated care, Reese was safely delivered and underwent surgery shortly after birth to support her heart. Along the way, the Jeters developed deep trust in the experts at Children’s Mercy who cared for both their daughter and their family.
After Reese’s diagnosis, Taylor learned she had Sjögren’s disease, an autoimmune condition that can increase the risk of fetal heart block during pregnancy. So, when the couple learned they were expecting a second child, Tate, they worked closely with their medical team and hoped for a different outcome.
See the full story via KCTV 5