We knew absolutely nothing about hip dysplasia before we had Autumn.
Autumn was in special care for 5 days after birth (please read previous blog) and we had a booking for our routine 6 week follow up. However, we had received two letters for two separate hospitals on the same day.
As a new mum with lack of sleep we just presumed there was an error, and at our special care follow up we asked about the other letter we had received.
We where informed these where separate appointments, but no elaboration was given on the reasoning for this appointment.
So when we arrived at our second hospital that day we didn’t know what the appointment was for nor what to expect.
We where definitely in for a shock!
When we spoken to the receptionist, we where updated that this was a routine appointment for an ultrasound of Autumn’s hips.
This was as I suffer from a clicky hip (this was a question asked post birth which we thought nothing more of).
This eased our mind as I’ve had a clicky hip for years with no problems.
After the ultrasound we where taken to a clinic room where the bombshell was dropped!!
Autumn had two dislocated hips...we where mortified, and even more so at the thought that this was something we didn’t even pick up!
All our options where discussed, and the first instance was a pavlik harness which had to be applied for three weeks.
This could only be removed for a maximum of half an hour a day to bath or change Autumn. We returned each week for an ultrasound and check up, with adjustments of this harness.
The next three weeks where emotional. We where still in shock..surgery had been mentioned and this scared us, and we saw little progress at each appointment.
At our three week appointment, Autumn’s right hip appeared improved however her left hip remained out of socket (but there was a slight click).
This was the most surreal appointment as the consultant came and basically said the trial three week period had failed, so surgery was needed imminently.
We where heart broken.
Our nurse specialist put up a good argument that she could feel a click, and was hopeful one more week in the pavlik harness could avoid surgery.
The consultant was not convinced and after a heated discussion, the consultant agreed to give us one more week, but making it clear that if there was no change it would be immediate surgery.
At this point Autumn was 9 weeks old.. the harness was re-adjusted and we where basically told to not take it off for the remaining week.
We where also given information regarding surgery to read within the week.
This was the hardest week ever, this just broke us!
The thought of our little baby going under an anaesthetic was hard enough, let alone to consider the post operative implications.
The whole week I researched the surgery. The surgery would include a post operative spica cast (have a google).
This would be in place for 6weeks- 3 months. This would include 2 hour pressure relief, and once the cast is removed the pavlik harness would return for an extended period of time.
All new adjustments would be required: car seats, Pram, specialist spica chairs, I would even be entitled to a disabled pass for my car.
I had returned to university to finish my degree and, this would mean I would have to defer for a year. Which we had worked so hard to avoid.
But how could we rely on grandparents to take care of our child after surgery, while we work.
Also this whole process would impact milestones..sitting, balance, crawling, walking and extensive physio would also be required.
This was a very long week..
When we returned, we where met with the best possible news..Autumn’s left hip was now in the socket. Nothing else discussed at that meeting mattered to us.
Autumn had to stay in her pavlik harness for 6 months, and we had to attend on a regular basis for check ups but we didn’t need surgery!
Autumn’s harness was removed after 6 months and her walking was slightly delayed, but every single appointment we have had since has been positive.
Now Autumn is 4 and you wouldn’t even know she has an issue at birth.
We honestly owe a lot to this amazing specialist nurse for fighting to avoid surgery.
Things could have been a lot different, and we where so close to surgery it was scary.
Hip dysplasia statistics:
8 in 10 cases are female
6 in 10 cases occur in first born babies
12 times more likely when there is a family history (hence my clicky hip)
There is a 1 in 3 chance if we had another child they would also have hip dysplasia..this is a scary thought to us, and I think I worry more as a mum as we may not be so lucky to avoid surge next time.
I would be more than happy to provide support to any new mums experiencing this with their babies, just drop me a message 💖
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