7wk old with collarbone fracture?? Freaking out!

We had our 6 week check up this week and the clinic sister confirmed my worries that my baby's body was 'crooked'. I had my Dr's appointment straight afterwards and she confirmed it too and also that Archie had a 'lump' on his right clavicle. She suspected it is fractured and sent me for an xray.

I took him for the xray this arvo and was given the films, not the report as they send that to the Dr. My mum and i looked at them and it does look as though it is broken :crying: It has what looks like a lump around the break (probably bone reforming). I'm freaking out! The Dr's surgery said the Dr will ring me (once she recieves the report) if i need to make another appointment, but it is Friday now and i'm probably going to have to wait all weekend before i know anything for sure!

Has anyone else's baby suffered a clavicle fracture from childbirth?? He was quite big (8lb 15oz) and got slightly stuck at the shoulders so needed a bit of help by the midwife to come out.
What happens with a broken collarbone??? Do they need to fix it with surgery or do they leave it to heal on it's own???

My poor little bub :crying:

I feel so bad this wasn't picked up sooner....

TIA for your help x

it depends if its a break or a fracture.
Im not sure what they do with a bub that age.

Its normal for a lump to form with a fracture, and it usually goes away as the fracture heals.

I would take the xray to emergency tomorrow (or even tonight) and ask for someone to see it you should not have to wait to see a GP if there is a suspected fracture or break, thats ridiculous!

In actual fact, this is not an uncommon injury to occur after a difficult vaginal birth, although it is obviously very distressing as a parent.

This site has some more information: Fractured clavicle in the newborn: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

In essence, there is no treatment necessary other than lifting the baby very gently in that side, it has no complications, and as the article says, often the injury is impossible to detect in later life, even with an x-ray.

Good luck. Lots of breastfeeding will help with the pain, and before long your little one will be as right as rain.

Thankyou Pandora and Michael..

I am so shocked as he didn't really show any real signs. He was very unsettled for the first night and day and then was quite clingy and unsettled for the first few weeks too. He preferred to feed on my right side too, as it is his right clavicle that is fractured.

Thanks for the link Michael, i have settled down a bit after reading that. I just feel so guilty that i didn't even notice for this long.... I feel like a very bad mummy!

x

:hug: im sure u need one of those right now i hope u and archie feel better soon xoxoxox u are not a bad mum

Thanks J.. I rang the Dr's surgery this morning and they still haven't received the report and the Dr is not in til Monday anyway....

Aw, how could you know? Your bubs can't tell you he's in pain and some little babies cry a lot anyway. Take care of yourself. Little kids heal SO quickly. :hug:

Just an update...

It's just been confirmed that Archie's collar bone is definately broken. Good news is that nothing has to be done and it will heal on it's own and the bony lump should disappear in a few months...

Thanks for your support and kind words x x

Sorry to hear it is broken but GREAT news that it will heal on its own and wont need anything done to it.