The parents were overjoyed to meet their little girl, but during the cesarean delivery, they received the shocking news that her mouth had not formed as ‘normal’.
Little Ayla Summer Mucha was born with rare condition bilateral macrostomia which causes the corners of mouths to not fuse properly during pregnancy and faces a future surgery. Ayla Summer Mucha was born in December 2021 with bilateral macrostomia, where the corners of the mouth don’t fuse together during pregnancy. Only 14 cases around the world have been reported with the condition.
Parents Cristina Vercher, 21, and her husband Blaize Mucha, 20, are currently talking to doctors over surgery to fix her wide smile as she may not be able to latch or suckle.
“Blaize and I were not aware of this condition nor had I ever met someone born with a macrostomia,So it came as a huge sʜᴏᴄᴋ.”Vercher, who lives in South Australia, told Jam Press
On top of that, the pregnant ultrasound scans had not picked up the abnormally large mouth opening, which sʜᴏᴄᴋed doctors after they performed a c-section.
“This made the experience all the more worrying as it took several hours for a doctor to give us an answer,With this came more difficulties as the hospital had little knowledge or support for such a rare condition. All I could think about as a mother was where I went wrong, especially when I had been so pedantic throughout my entire pregnancy. ”Vercher said
They were reassured by an array of doctors that it was out of their control. Doctors at the Flinder’s Medical Centre in Adelaide, South Australia, were initially baffled as they had not seen a case before and it had been missed in scans ahead of the birth. Macrostomia is more than just a cosmetic abnormality — it can affect how infants function, especially with latching and suckling. Because of the impact it has on facial functionality, patients with macrostomia are often told to get surgery.
“We are yet to receive the exact specifications of the surgery, yet we know this involves a skin closure that results in minimal scarring. The challenges we will face post surgery are worrying as a couple.” Vercher said
For medical reasons, patients with Alya’s condition are advised to have surgery to help ensure they have a functioning mouth as they grow older.
On their account, which has over 118,000 followers, A few months later, in search of more information and awareness, Cristina and Blaize opened a TikTok account to share their own experiences. One video, which received 47.4 million views, shows Ayla getting dressed in a flowery dress — and she was showered with all the love.
“Asking respectfully as a mom. Would you make more content to educate us on her condition I would love to learn more she’s beautiful,” commented another
“I just read on doctor Google that there are only 14 documented cases. She is so darn special. Be proud mama,” someone else chimed in.
“Oh my looord. How cute are you!! ignore all those hurtful comments your little cuteness is just too sweet,” wrote one user.
You are a strong woman, you have a beautiful daughter, I’m sorry to see those thoughtless comments,” said another.
