Sarah's hip..I'm nervous.

Hi,
I just need to let out a little stress.
Sarah has been wearing a Correctio harness for her right hip for 4 weeks now. (Her right hip socket is too shallow.)
She is going for an ultrasound tomorrow too check on the progress.
I am so nervous about this. I desperatley want them to say that it's fixed, or at least nearly fixed, but I'm worried that it's not working.
I know I'm being silly and getting worked up about something that may not happen but this harness is causing us some trouble now.
To start with it was fine, it didn't bother her at all. It just made changing nappies, holding her and feeding her a bit tricky. We got the hang of it pretty quick and all was fine.
However, Sarah has developed quite bad reflux over the last few weeks. She has to lay flat on her back because of the harness, causing her to vomit and choke all day and night. I'm getting by on less than 4 hours sleep per 24 hrs and I don't know how much longer I can do it.
The other day she fell asleep in my arms after her bath (the only time the harness comes off) and she had her first harness free sleep in nearly 4 weeks. I put her on her side and she slept for 5 hours, no vomiting.
I felt so guilt that she had her harness off for so long, it's only meant to be half an hour a day, but I figure a few extra hours out of 4 weeks of being strict isn't going to do any harm, and it was soooo worth it!
Also, Sarah has got quite a bit off chaffing from where her skin is rubbing all the time and I think it's startnig to get sore, she cries when we touch her there.
I know that compared to what some peole go through this is quite a minor thing and I'm being selfish but I really need this harness off!
The doc said 6-8 weeks should do the trick so we're nearly there if it's working, but I can't bear the thought of them telling us tomorrow that it's not working and it'll be 12 weeks, or a different (worse) brace she'll have to wear.
I just needed to vent all this, I feel a little better now. 8-[

Good Luck for Sarah and you 2morow, you'll be in my thoughts. O:)

Layla first of all what you are going through is important and its not a minor thing. Its hard sometimes to do the everyday things needed for our babies, without throughing in an annoying harness. And add reflux!LOL!

One of the first things we were told when Alana got diagnosed with CF was that her mental self is just as important as her physical self. If taking of her brace for 5 hrs, allowing her to get some good sleep, without vomiting and crying, probably did more for her physical self than you realise. I say, good decision.

Good luck with tomorrow.

It sounds like taking the harness off her for that time and allowing her that nice long comfie sleep, did both you and her the world of good.

I hope that the scan goes really well and they give you the good news you are hoping for. I'll keep everything crossed for you!

Sarah,

Good Luck with everything tommorrow! I agree with what the other girls said , a bit of time without the harness would have been a saviour for your sanity... and de-stressing would be great physically & mentally.

My fingers are crossed for you that the brace can come off ..

Good Luck!

Colleen

Layla just reeda your post and wanted to say that I feel for you so much..I have felt those feelings with Felix's stuff before, particularly his oxygen..I have left the oxygen off for a night before and though I feel guilty I also know that he's enjoyeda sleep without the prongs in his nose irritating him..sometimes like Lara said you have to weight up whether one night will set her back or the other very real issue of the reflux would factor in it all..I am so hoping that that brace comes off..I can imagine what you are going through with it..
When Felix had his NGT it was a godsend and a nightmare, everyday I saw him gaining weight but when he'd pull it out it was just horrible..it s so awful when somethng you know is good provides more discomfort on top of the issue it is there to solve..anyhow..I hope this all ends for you sooner than later!

Best of luck for tomorrow. I hope it all goes well.

Hope everything goes ok today with Sarah.
Thinking of you all.

Layla hope everything goes really well today and you get good news!

How did the u/s go today, Layla?

Thinking of you.

Thinking of you Layla & hoping that you guys got some good news about Sarah's hip.

Good news!!!! \:D/
The scan went well. The doctor who did the scan said Sarah's hip looks normal!
There is still some movement of the femur in the hip socket but that can be normal in a baby so young apparently. The main thing is that the hip socket itself is perfectly formed! I'm soooo relieved!
Now we just wait 'til Friday and see what the ortho' doctor says about when we can throw the damn harness away.
Thanks for the support guys. :D

Whoooohoooo..thats great news Layla...way to go Sarah!!!

Jo

Thats fantastic news Layla! Congratulations!

*hugs*
Cailin

What fantastic news, Layla! Woohoo!! :D

That is wonderful news Layla!! \:D/ \:D/

=D> thats great!

Wow, that's a relief for you Layla. Good on you Sarah!

Super news Layla I can feel your relief from here.

best wishes michelle

Great news Layla!

That's great news Layla & here's hoping you get more good news & a date that the harness can come off at your appt on Friday.

I too keep popping in in the hope that you have posted to say that the harness is gone.

Hope that all is well with you guys.

I know Sarah does have the harness off now it has been off for a few weeks now.

Sorry guys, I've been so busy with school holidays and everything I've had no time for BB! #-o
Sarah's harness has been off for a few weeks now (thanks Michelle :D ).
We saw the ortho surgeon a week after the scan and she said it was fine to leave it off for good.
We are going to have Sarah's hip X-ray'd next week and hopefully that will show that her hip is now stable! Then it's regular X-rays 'til she's about 4 years old.
So, fingers crossed (again) that it's good news next week. The doc who did the last scan said she'd only ever seen one go "bad" again, in nearly 30 years in the job!

Layla your story has given me some hope, my 3.5 week old daughter Leah got fitted with a Pavlik harness yesterday - it was such an upsetting experience for me, I cried when I made the appointment, on the way to the hospital and at the hospital - just felt so helpless. Leah has a shallow left hip, she has to wear this harness for a minimum 12 weeks but am thankful for ypur story that being in a harness does work - thank you

Layla ~ such wonderful news about Sarah's harness. Hope that all goes well with the x-ray next week & it can stay off for good.

Amanda ~ I'm sure your little girl will be just fine. Hugs to you while you go through what I'm sure is a bit of a distressing time for you all.

Thanks for all the support everyone.

Amanda, Sarah was 3 and a half weeks old when she went in to her harness too. We got two different opinions from different ortho surgeons, the first one said 12 weeks minimum, the next one said 6 weeks. I think some doctors are more keen to check progress and get things moving faster. Will Leah have regular scans to see how things are going? Sarah had a scan after 4 weeks and that showed everything was fixed so the first doctor was way off!
I know exactly how you feel about the harness, I cried too. I really hope that you are coping okay with it all and that it isn't bothering Leah too much. The time will pass so quickly and before you know it it will all be over.
I found the hardest things were finding nice clothes to fit over the harness, and getting her in and out of the car seat was awkward. We didn't go out much! But it's all worth it, it really does work and it's much easier to fix a shallow hip now than in a year or two.
If you want to talk please feel free to email me anytime. 8-[

Shannon, I'm so pleased that Jess's hips are fine. What a relief, one less thing for you think about and for her to deal with! \:D/
It does make me wonder how many of these babies with hip problems would correct on their own if left for a while..... :-k I guess it's not worth taking the risk in most cases though.

Oooh, Amanda, I just checked out Leah's website, GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Layla, we think she is gorgeous too!! :D
Your experience sounds promising, I would be over the moon if it was only something like 4 weeks she has to wear it. I will definately be pushing for regular check-ups thanks for the tip because at the moment I am really not sure how often she is to be checked. Does Sarah have to go for check-ups every now and then just to make sure it is all still ok as she is growing?
I was supposed to go back to the physio today but they cancelled the appointment (physio was sick) so going back on wednesday but I think that is more to make sure I am coping ok with her in the harness and that it is fitted correctly after a few days.

And I totally agree about trying to find nice outfits to go over the harness - Ive got so many cute clothes that she cant wear at the moment .

Thanks again...

amanda

Amanda, Sarah is having an x ray today to check her hip is still growing the way it should. After this she will have two more x- rays before her 1st birthday, then one a year 'til she is 4. So they do keep a close eye on them.
I really hope that Leah doesn't need to be in the harness for the full 12 weeks. I think they tell you that to prepare for the chance it will take that long. I've got my fingers crossed for you. I do think we were particularly lucky though. The doctor said she's only had a few bubs out if it after 1 month, most are 6-8 weeks.
Is Leah allowed out if her harness for a bath every day? I used to LOVE that 1/2 an hour a day but I got sad and angry when it was time to put it back on her. I made DH do it every night 'cos Sarah cried when she had to go back in it.
I am panicking a little actually about the x-ray today, what if it's not good news??? .............I can't imagine having to put her back in a harness now.
We see the doctor tomorrow for the results so I'll let you know how it goes.

Im nervous for you too about the results of the x-ray, all fingers crossed for a good result!

Unfortunatly Ive been told that Leah's harness cannot come off at all, not even for bathtime (my favorite time of the day when she was all fresh and clean and smelling yummy!) so she has to be sponged bathed - which is quite awkward as there is really not much skin showing on her tiny body its mostly all straps! I can undo her leg straps to give the skin a clean but I must keep the leg bent in that position so not to straighten it.
I will ask the Physio tomorrow about follow-up x-rays after the harness is removed - you've been a great help and have given me lots of questions to ask in regard to how things are going to be done, thank you.

Cant wait to hear your (good) news!