Doctors Discovered His Cleft Lip Before He Was Born — By His First Birthday, This Little Boy Had Already Undergone Two Surgeries

When Eileen and Andrew attended their routine 20-week pregnancy ultrasound, they expected to see another reassuring image of their growing baby.

Instead, doctors discovered that their unborn son, Wesley, had a cleft lip and palate — a congenital condition affecting the development of the upper lip and roof of the mouth.

The news came as a shock. Their earlier prenatal genetic screening had not identified the condition, leaving the couple with questions about what their baby’s first year would look like.

An Unexpected Discovery Halfway Through Pregnancy

After receiving the diagnosis, Eileen and Andrew were referred to a genetic counselor.

The family was subsequently connected with the craniofacial specialists at Shriners Children’s Boston.

Doctors explained that cleft lip and palate can affect feeding, speech development and other aspects of a child’s health, often requiring coordinated treatment over several years.

For Wesley’s parents, preparing for his arrival now involved understanding a medical condition they had never expected to face.

Preparing to Welcome a Baby With Different Needs

Before Wesley was born, his family began working with specialists to understand the treatment options available.

The hospital’s craniofacial team provided information about surgery and long-term follow-up.

Having a medical plan in place helped his parents approach the birth with greater confidence, even though the prospect of their newborn undergoing surgery remained emotionally difficult.

Two Operations Before His First Birthday

Wesley underwent surgical repair of his cleft lip and palate during infancy.

Both operations were completed before he reached his first birthday at the end of December.

His care was overseen by Dr. Kavitha Ranganathan, co-director of the hospital’s Cleft and Craniofacial Center, a collaborative program with Mass General Brigham for Children.

Although the repairs marked important milestones, Wesley will continue receiving specialist follow-up throughout childhood as his face, teeth and speech develop.

A Happy Little Boy Discovering New Foods

Following his palate repair, Wesley began exploring a wider variety of solid foods.

His mother described him as an energetic child who loves experimenting with different flavors and textures.

He also enjoys following his older sister, Ellie, and is determined to participate in whatever she is doing.

The siblings attend a weekly playgroup together, where Wesley has become fascinated by other children.

For his family, these everyday experiences are especially meaningful after the uncertainty surrounding his prenatal diagnosis.

A Mother’s Message to Other Families

When Shriners Children’s shared Wesley’s story in March 2026, Eileen reflected on how overwhelming the initial diagnosis had felt.

She encouraged other parents to allow themselves time to process their emotions and seek support from experienced medical professionals.

Wesley’s treatment journey is not over, but his parents are grateful to have a specialist team that can continue guiding his care as he grows.

Today, he is a curious little boy who loves laughing, playing and exploring the world around him.

Source: Shriners Children’s, March 31, 2026 — Comfort in Continuity: Wesley’s Parents Are Grateful for Shriners Children’s Boston’s Approach to Craniofacial Care.