Hip Dysplaysia Support Group

[nicoli]

Hi all

Sorry I have not been any help with recent posts. My daughter Scarlett has not been in plaster (yet) only a pavlik harness and dennis brown brace.

I think whatever the change that occurs - it takes a little while for the bubs to settle back to their old self and normal sleeping habits. I too put a folded quilt under Scarlett when she first went into her harness as she seemed to be in so much pain and would wake up screaming. The first few nights I rocked her in her pram in the loungeroom until she fell asleep. I then moved the pram into her room, then she eventually went back in her cot.

It can be very upsetting finding out that your baby has ddh but you can see from other people's stories that in the long run everything sorts itself out.

I just ofund out I am pregnant with my second child and now I am worried that this bub will have the same thing too. Another worry is that Scarlett will not be out of her brace (or worse still need an operation) before the baby arrives. I'll have to wait until Feb to find out how she is progressing.

Anyway take care all

Nicole

[MonicaP]

Hi Everyone,
We have survived one week in the spica cast and things are starting to return to normal. At least I feel like I am starting to accept it.
I was looking on the net tonight about dysplasia and found a medical article that said that there is a 6% chance of your second child having it if your first one does. That means that there is a 94% chance that it wont. Those odds are pretty good.
Once again thanks everyone for your advice and support. I have taken it all on board and although I can't wait until its a thing of the past, I am dealing with it a whole lot better!
Monica

[minimatron]

Hey Nicole...congrats on your pregnany. wishing you a happy and healthy one.

As you know, Olivia was given the all clear last month. i asked about our new one as i was 36 weeks pg then. The specialist said that she has a slightly higher chance of having ddh. he recommended a scan at 6 weeks and an ortho review. Well dd was born just over 2 weeks ago. they couldnt feel a clunk like Olivias hip. We have a review in jan. The health nurse yesterday couldnt feel anything either...so heres crossing fingers. I know your anxiety nicole, I remember asking the same questions. I hope this relieves some of it for you.

All the best to those who are embarking on the journey of hips!!! its a hard time, but it does get better. olivia is 20months now and shes doing so well.
Melissa x o

[MonicaP]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks Tammy for your advice. I hope all goes well on the 11th and that this will be Eleni's last spica. My thoughts will be with you!
I understand how you feel about not wanting to go out because you see all the "normal" babies. I find myself looking at little babies legs and just wish I could see Hayley's again. I know I will eventually but it is hard. Also I wasn't prepared for the number of people that stare at her. I know they don't mean to be rude and they think it is probably rude to say something but when I took my son to kindy the other day one of the mums looked at her and said "Oh my god, what happened" and I actually appreciated that reaction because at least she said something and didn't just stare.
Hayley also loved her bath and had began swimming lessons which she enjoyed and all that had to be given up.
I had her at the clinic nurse on Tuesday and she has lost a bit of weight since the spica went on. She told me not to be worried but I am a little bit. Did this happen to anyone else's child after having the spica and/or the brace put on.
Hayley is getting better being on her tummy. The nurse suggested that we prop her on something so I put her on a little cushion which she seems to like better.
All the best to everyone!
Monica

[Damsbabe]

Hello everyone

Sienna had her operation last Monday and they ended up having to do an open reduction (cut in the groin) to put the hip back in the right spot. Her spica is from under her arms right down to her ankles - very high! Even the nurses thought so.
Monday was pretty tough, lots of tears, from Sienna, myself and my hubby. But we got through it. Sienna slept through the night for the first two nights - probably due to the anaesethic. The last few nights she has woken twice, so she is getting better. She did not eat hardly anything for the first few days, but drank alot.
Thanks for all you tips on bedding and nappies. I am using the aldi newborn inside the spica and a bigger nappy on the outside. I am also putting a low pillow under her head and one under her feet at night. This seems to help.
Sienna was getting better as the week went on, then she got a high temp, was vomiting and we ended up at the hospital all day Friday. She now has a urinary infection and is on antibiotics. She is quite good today though - she does want lots of cuddles from us and is enjoying her bean bag we bought her to sit in. She does not like being on her tummy at all, and dreads nappy changes as we turn her over to put the newborn nappy under at the back.
Tammy - thanks for your advice on bathing. We used the kitchen sink for her hair and then sponge bathed her upper body and feet. We also just bought a plastic showerhead from the $2 shop to place on the tap, which helps immensely. I highly recommend it. Hope all went well in Sydney.....thinking of you.
I also feel for Sienna as she is missing out on lots of things. She especially loved her baths and swimming. Her plaster comes off in just over 5 weeks and then hopefully just a brace, depending on how she goes.
I now understand what you all said about the weight of her spica too. She is now 3kgs heavier and being 7 months pregnant makes it hard. I am getting used to holding and carrying her, but the worst is putting her in her cot as even with the gate down it is quite high and I am short. We also put her mattress up on the top level like when she was a newborn, this also helped with putting her back in.
Thanks again for all your support. I must go now and give my hubby a break.
Take care
Paula

[cannedemma]

hi everyone,

i just wanted to note that i hope Sienna is going ok and that she will handle the rest of the 5 weeks well also... i am amazed at how well Charlotte has adjusted to her brace (obviously has alot more mobility than a spica though)... she is actually able to sit up in the brace which is really good at 6 months but cannot balance without it!

Anyway i just wanted to say also that i hope eleni is doing ok now and has not needed surgery...

We have a fitting on 5th January which i am looking forward to because the brace charlotte is in seems to be rubbing and causing red marks on her bottom... so far no skin breakage but the red marks dont go away at all in the hour she is out of it and so i am worried it will develop into a pressure sore...

anyway, good luck to all and hopefully the next updates u all post will be good ones!

[MonicaP]

Hi All,
Paula- I hope Sienna is doing well and is adjusting to her spica.
Emma- I am so glad to hear that Charlotte is adjusting well and beginning to sit up as well. Thats great!
Hayley is also doing well and although we still have some bad nights her sleeping at night is getting better.
We had a fright tonight because when she woke up after her sleep her toes on both feet were blue. We were just about to rush her down to the hospital but then my husband suggested that we turn the aircon off and see what happens. It wasn't long before they were pink again. The poor little thing was just cold but it made us worry.
We had our follow up appointment on the 9th and it went really well and we walked away feeling quite positive which was nice. The surgeon said that it would be highly unlikely that they would put her into a third spica and she will just have to go into the brace for a bit longer if it is still not good after 3 months, which I am glad about because at least the brace can come off for a little while each day.
She is due to go in for a spica change on 6th Jan.
Hayley is 6 months old in a couple off weeks and due to start on solids. Has anyone got any suggestions on what to do for a high chair. Because of the spica she can't sit up so I was wondering what everyone else has done to prop their chn when feeding.
Good luck everyone and I hope you all have a great Christmas!!
Monica