I thought I would send out a quick update on Sofia. Things have been pretty crazy in the Pereira household with trying to produce enough breast milk, getting her to sleep at night and keeping up with the never ending laundry (the laundromat next door is getting some good business from us). Antony and I (and my mom too) are truly sleep deprived but still enjoying her (almost)every minute. But this week has thrown up some new challenges.Because she was breech in the womb she has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia which means that her hips were out of socket when she was born and the hip isn't developed enough for it to go back into place. We went to the orthopedic surgeon yesterday who confirmed the diagnosis and put her into a body brace that will help to correct it.
The good news is that there is a very, very high percentage of full recovery and Sofia will never remember being treated for this. She also isn't in any pain. The harness doesn't hurt except for where it has started rubbing on her delicate skin.
The bad news is that she has to wear this brace full-time for the next 2-3 months and part-time for another 6 weeks afterwards. I have attached a photo so you can see what it looks like but needless to say, I have shed many tears over this. Poor baby! To make matters worse, she can't wear a single item of her 0-3 months clothes and instead I need to buy her tent style dresses that will be able to fit over the harness. What a heartbreaker that all of the little outfits that I bought for her when I was pregnant she will never be able to wear.
But given all of this, we are going to stay positive, hope she is out of her brace by Christmas, and are already planning a 'Free Sofia 2009' party for when the brace is finally removed.
Thanks always for your warm wishes and support from both near and far,
Rachelle, Antony and Sofia x
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Oh Rachelle, the poor little thing and poor you. I tell you this giving birth business is never quite as it says it will be in the copious number of pregnancy books you dutifully read before she arrived. My friends baby had the same thing though it wasn't diagnosed until much later and she ended up in a plaster cast so much better she has it now.
ReplyDeleteShe's a beauty though. Remember these things are meant to try us as parents and as upsetting as it is you will get through it, your hormones are still all over the place and once they settle and the breastfeeding becomes routine, you'll not believe how much more rational you'll feel about it all.
Nic is going to speak to you about presents, we though vouchers and that means you can go and buy her a completely new wardrobe courtesy of all her England friends. Failing that, at Christmas I have many a tent like dress that you may adapt to suit! Take care my friend and enjoy her, she's gorgeous (as expected) xxxx