Tara and Michael Cory of Glen Carbon, Ill., were the proud parents of two boys when they learned they were expecting Baby #3. At their 20-week anatomy scan in December 2022—just before Christmas—they were told their son might have a cleft lip and a hole in his heart.
Their OB/GYN referred them to the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, where they began their journey toward answers and support.
“We went down the Google rabbit hole,” said Tara. “My genetic testing had come back normal. We just needed a plan.”
Finding hope at the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute
At their full-day visit to the Fetal Care Institute on December 28, they met with a full team: a cardiologist, specialists for fetal imaging, and Joy Baltz, BSN, RN, Nurse Navigator with the Cleft Palate and Craniomaxillofacial Clinic at Cardinal Glennon.
“Joy was amazing. She answered every question and walked us through what the first year with our baby might look like,” Tara said. “She explained the possibilities of a cleft palate in addition to the cleft lip, recommended specialty bottles, and even connected us to organizations for extra support.”
In the end, their baby did not have a hole in his heart. But other concerns remained. Because Tara’s pregnancy was now considered high risk, she had regular ultrasounds and a plan to deliver at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - St. Louis, in case the baby—whom they named Chase—needed intensive care right after birth.
“I was fixated on a few things,” Tara recalled. “Would he be able to nurse? Would we bond? How would I explain everything to our older sons? And, like many moms, I kept wondering—did I do something wrong?”
Chase was born at 39 weeks after an uncomplicated delivery—and, to Tara’s relief, he latched and nursed right away. He did not have a cleft palate, and the family went home with a plan to return to Cardinal Glennon in one month to talk about corrective surgery.
Navigating the first month with love and resilience
That first month was full of highs and lows. Tara developed mastitis due to a notch in Chase’s gum causing friction while nursing, but she pushed through. “We were in love with him,” she said. “His smile captured us. His brothers adored him.”
Planning for surgery and a new smile
One month later, they met the full cleft and craniofacial team at Cardinal Glennon, including feeding specialists, ENT, dental, and Dr. Kevin Chen, Director of the Cleft Palate and Craniomaxillofacial Clinic.
“They took photos, explained the surgery, post-op care, and we scheduled the procedure when Chase would be three months old,” Tara said.
Innovation in healing: 3D-printed nasal stents
As part of his recovery, Dr. Chen asked if Chase could be the first patient to receive 3D-printed custom nasal stents. Standard stents don’t always fit perfectly, especially in noses shaped uniquely by a cleft. But custom stents, created using 3D molds of Chase’s nasal cavity during surgery, could better preserve the shape of his nose and improve healing. Learn more about the 3D Printing Center of Excellence.
“I had been in a clinical trial myself as a child,” said Tara, who is legally blind. “So, we agreed.”
The day of surgery brought another emotional wave. “There was grief with the diagnosis—and now another kind,” Tara said. “We’d fallen in love with his smile, and we knew surgery would change it. Even though it was needed, it was hard.”
The surgery lasted three to four hours. Dr. Chen took nasal molds during the procedure, and Joy carefully reviewed Chase’s post-op care with the family. He went home the same day with standard stents, and Tara and Michael learned how to care for them, clean incisions, and apply scar gel and sun protection.
Recovery, challenges, and triumphs
“The first two weeks were rough—changing, taping, cleaning, worrying whether we were doing it all right,” said Tara. “But at our follow-up, Dr. Chen said Chase was healing perfectly.” He then replaced the standard stents with Chase’s custom 3D-printed ones. Over the next six weeks, Chase received new molds and new stents every two weeks. Then, finally, he no longer needed them.
Today, Chase is thriving. He returns to Cardinal Glennon for his annual check-up with Dr. Chen.
“Cardinal Glennon is top tier,” Tara said. “I had my OB/GYN, maternal fetal medicine specialist, and cleft team all within SSM Health. Dr. Chen is meticulous and compassionate. Joy and the team welcomed me as a partner. I never hesitated to call or text. They have gone above and beyond in every way.”
Learn more about pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery in St. Louis, MO.
