Cory Wharton and Taylor Selfridge welcomed this week their second child together. The "Teen Mom OG" star announced on social media platform Instagram the birth of his daughter Maya Grace Wharton on Friday, June 10, sharing pictures of the newborn in the hospital.
TODAY reported that the 31-year-old reality star penned a lengthy message about his daughter's birth in the caption, revealing that the baby was diagnosed with tricuspid atresia, a congenital heart disease where her tricuspid valve has not fully formed.
Wharton wrote, "Don't really know how to start this off there's sooo much I wanna say, so much I've felt over the past week. As a parent you're scared, worried, nervous, angry, sad, mad & you don't understand why this is happening to your baby."
Wharton says daughter is doing very well after open heart surgery
Wharton thanked his Instagram followers for their prayers during Selfridge's pregnancy before explaining his young girl's diagnosis. He wrote that this valve plays a part in the heart's essential function, which is to pump blood between the lungs and body.
Wharton said that his daughter had her first surgery on Tuesday, June 7, and is recovering from the operation. He added that she is doing very well, and they can't wait to bring her home and show her the love that she needs, according to People magazine.
The celebrity dad explained that her condition requires another two open-heart surgeries. He said that the first would happen when she is between 4 and 6 months old, and the next would not be until she is 3 or 4. Wharton wrote that they are all trying to stay positive right now, and having that successful surgery on Tuesday is something to celebrate.
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Wharton explains why he shared daughter's condition with the world
He continued his lengthy caption, explaining that he debated for a long time if he wanted to share the news about his daughter's medical condition with the world. Wharton said all the positive stories they heard on YouTube and the Internet made him want to share her journey. He added that if they share her story and can touch the next family that is going through this, then that is what they want to do it, according to Us Weekly.
Wharton concluded his caption by dedicating a message to his newborn daughter: "My juicy girl daddy loves you so much, you are so strong, every day visiting you in Nicu isn't easy but if that's what it takes then we are gonna do that. We are always right by your side. I'm so proud of you for going thru all this."
Selfridge also shared an Instagram post announcing her daughter's birth, revealing that her daughter Maya was diagnosed when she was around 22 weeks pregnant. She wrote that their lives turned upside down in a matter of seconds, but Maya came into this world doing much better than expected.
