In this powerful episode of Our Forever Smiles, Laura sits down with Kori — a licensed social worker, maternal health advocate, and mom to two — whose second child was prenatally diagnosed with a cleft lip and palate.

Already working in perinatal mental health, Kori thought she was prepared. But an unexpected ultrasound at 18 weeks revealed a cleft diagnosis, additional physical markers, and the possibility of a syndromic condition. What followed was months of high-risk care, genetic testing, insurance denials, and overwhelming uncertainty.

Kori shares what it was like to receive a rare genetic diagnosis when her daughter was six months old — one that doctors warned could involve developmental delays, seizures, or regression. She opens up about living in the "what if," balancing professional knowledge with maternal fear, and learning to parent without guarantees.

She also bravely recounts her traumatic delivery experience, the challenges of advocating in the hospital, navigating NICU fears, breastfeeding with a cleft baby, insurance battles over congenital care, and the emotional weight of raising a child with both a cleft and an ultra-rare genetic mutation.

This conversation is honest, nuanced, and deeply validating for any cleft mom walking through prenatal diagnosis, medical trauma, genetic uncertainty, or advocacy fatigue.

If you've ever felt like you have to be strong while carrying so much unknown — this episode is for you.

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