During my pregnancy last year (2020), I went to my usual sonogram appointment. It was there I received the worst news I could hear. My baby boy, Milo, was experiencing a very high heart rate, and the doctors needed to take care of it as soon as possible. From there I was introduced to Dr. Gorla. He explained to me that Milo was in an episode of arrhythmia. I was admitted into the hospital in order to monitor Milo. When I was sent home, I was given instructions to report to the hospital twice a week so they could track our progress. I was then 23 weeks pregnant and the goal was to not deliver baby Milo until it was necessary. I was told how serious having supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) could be for a baby and how low the survival rates were. I couldn’t imagine this was happening to my baby and how much stress Milo’s tiny heart was going through. This affected our lives in every way.

Thankfully, we were well taken care of by the specialists, nurses, and staff from Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso and El Paso Children’s Hospital. I will always be grateful for their kindness and skill. Dr. Gorla not only helped Milo with his tiny heart, but he cared a lot about my own physical and mental health. He worked alongside Dr. Martinez (OBGYN) and Dr. Bullock (Psychiatry) as a team to treat both Milo and me.

Being a scared single mom, I trusted all the doctors and hoped that we would not have to travel outside our hometown, El Paso.

Knowing Milo was not okay was frightening and overwhelming, but having Dr. Gorla through the process made us feel safe and secure. He followed me through my pregnancy with Milo, even after his birth, providing such professionalism and high-quality expertise that we all look for as parents. Despite the early uncertainties, Milo is now enjoying a happy life filled with love.

We will forever be grateful for experiencing such amazing work ethic and care as we received from El Paso Children’s Hospital and Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso.

~ Milo’s Mom