Melody was born with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS).  The syndrome  manifests itself in vascular malformations which in many cases causes port wine colored birthmarks.   These birthmarks covered nearly 75% of the right side of Melody's body and testing was done as an infant in the Neonatal ICU to make sure that none of the malformations were on the inside of her body as well as the outside.

Melody also had neurological testing done to make sure that no problems were in her brain as the birthmark covered half of her head.  She saw a pediatric ophthalmologist to be on the look out for symptoms of glaucoma, as many children with this syndrome or a related syndrome called Sturge-Weber syndrome contract glaucoma due to the pressure differential caused by an increased blood supply in the affected eye.

Thankfully for our family, Melody progressed with normal development, showed no signs of internal hemangiomas (birthmarks), and only had slight differences in the length and girth of the affected extremities.

As far as the pregnancy went with this birth, I was in an automobile accident during the 3rd month and I developed toxemia, now called pre-clampsia sometime around the 5th month.  I was put on be-rest for a month while they searched for a medication to control the blood pressure.  I was told to sleep only on my left side as it would improve blood circulation in the womb, however I sometimes wonder if that is why her birthmark was on the right side of her body.  Doctors are still researching the cause of this syndrome and to date have no solid conclusions.  

For more information on this syndrome, I suggest that you visit the Klippel Trenaunay Support Group Website.