Born Blue
When my mom was pregnant with me, she was exposed to the German measles. It was serious. As soon as the doctors realized what happened, they told her her baby (me) would likely be born with a severe birth defect—blind, deaf, or unable to speak. They even recommended she not have me at all.
Thankfully, my mom didn’t listen. She kept me.
When I was born, nothing seemed wrong. Ten tiny fingers, ten tiny toes. Everything appeared perfectly in order.
But at a follow-up checkup a month or two later, the doctor heard something unusual. Instead of the steady thump-thump, thump-thump rhythm of a normal heart, there was a thump-thump, woosh; thump-thump, woosh.
There it was: a heart murmur.
I had been born with a hole between the lower two ventricles—so some blood wasn’t flowing properly, and it wasn’t fully oxygenating. Babies born with this are often called “blue babies.” And I was one of them.
Healing the Heart
For years, the doctors monitored me—tests, X-rays, and hospital visits—to decide when (or if) surgery would be necessary.
When I was nine, they performed open-heart surgery to repair the hole. And it worked.
But what I discovered years later still took my breath away: If my mother had had sufficient vitamin A stores, it’s possible I might have been born without that defect at all.
The Nutrient That Builds Life
My mom did her best—she was a loving, devoted mother doing what she knew to do at the time. But she simply didn’t have the nutrient building blocks her body needed to fully support mine.
And that’s why I share this story: not out of regret, but as a reminder of how critical real nourishment is, especially for women preparing for or growing a new life.
Vitamin A plays a vital role in the development of a baby’s heart, eyes, and organs. It supports immune strength, fertility, and even postpartum recovery. Yet it’s one of the nutrients most often lacking in modern diets.
Where to Find Real Vitamin A (Retinol)
The best and most bioavailable form of vitamin A isn’t found in carrots—it’s found in animal-based foods, the way our ancestors ate.
Here are a few of the richest natural sources:
- Egg yolks – Easy to digest and full of choline and retinol.
- Liver – Nature’s most concentrated source of vitamin A (and a true ancestral superfood).
- Seafood – Especially cod liver and shellfish, for omega-3s and retinol synergy.
- Butter and ghee – Contain small but potent amounts of vitamin A, D, and K2 for nutrient absorption.
- Cheese – A delicious, traditional source of fat-soluble vitamins.
A Word from the Heart
I’m not bitter. I’m profoundly grateful—for my mom’s courage, for the doctors who healed me, and for the gift of life itself.
But I also feel responsible to pass on what I’ve learned.
Our food isn’t just fuel. It’s information, instruction, and protection for our bodies—and for the babies we may someday carry.
If you’re a mother, preparing to be one, or just wanting to nurture your health as a woman, start with nutrient-dense foods. They are the foundation of vitality, fertility, and longevity.
And remember: your health, your strength, your ability to give life—it’s your birthright.
- Holistic Hilda