Sunday 19 May 2013
Thursday 9 May 2013
When is a flat head more than just a bit flat? Part II
So, we had our appointment at the London Orthotic Consultancy (Cambridge) on 26th April. In the two weeks before the appointment I was obsessed with not putting bebe J down on his back (other than for bed time) and spent most of the time carrying him around in a sling (not easy with a 22 pounder!). We also totally rearranged his cot to encourage him to sleep off his flat side.
For our own reference, we took photographs of his head after the doctors appointment (bottom) and two weeks later before his clinic appointment (top)
As you can see from the pictures it is the plagiocephaly (wonkyness on one side) that is most noticeable (especially in the bath shot) although he does have brachycephaly too.
Interestingly, after speaking to pretty much all of our friends and family about the possible treatment, they ALL said they would go ahead with it, and a few even told us that they had noticed his head wasn't quite right, but hadn't wanted to say anything (including both of our mums!)
On the day of the clinic, we left Pickle with my mum and headed off to Cambridge. The appointment started with measurements being taken to record the true extent of his flatness. His shoulders were also checked to ensure he had proper movement (sometimes an explanation as to why a baby may prefer to lie on a particular side of their head).
It turned out that bebe J measured 94% for brachycephaly and had 13mm asymmetry (plagiocephaly) - which was classed as severe in both categories. We had already decided prior to the appointment that if he measured 'moderate' we would leave it to nature, but would proceed with the helmet treatment if he measured 'severe'. So, essentially the decision had been made! We were also told that despite being eight months, he may only have to wear the helmet for 3-6 months, as bigger babies tend to respond more quickly. After this time, it is hoped that we will be in the normal range for both categories, and our journey with flat head syndrome (fingers crossed) will be over.
After agreeing to proceed, and paying the £1950 for treatment (we were lucky enough to be loaned the money by grandparents), scans were taken of bebe J's head, and his custom built helmet will be ready for fitting - tomorrow! As you can see, he totally rocked the pink bumbo and balaclava look :)
It has been a really difficult few weeks leading up to our decision to proceed with treatment, not withstanding the cost, and I'm sure some people will totally disagree with our choice. However, we personally felt that we should give the treatment a go, and 3-6 months is such a short period of time in the grand scheme of things.
Wish us luck x
For our own reference, we took photographs of his head after the doctors appointment (bottom) and two weeks later before his clinic appointment (top)
Interestingly, after speaking to pretty much all of our friends and family about the possible treatment, they ALL said they would go ahead with it, and a few even told us that they had noticed his head wasn't quite right, but hadn't wanted to say anything (including both of our mums!)
On the day of the clinic, we left Pickle with my mum and headed off to Cambridge. The appointment started with measurements being taken to record the true extent of his flatness. His shoulders were also checked to ensure he had proper movement (sometimes an explanation as to why a baby may prefer to lie on a particular side of their head).
It turned out that bebe J measured 94% for brachycephaly and had 13mm asymmetry (plagiocephaly) - which was classed as severe in both categories. We had already decided prior to the appointment that if he measured 'moderate' we would leave it to nature, but would proceed with the helmet treatment if he measured 'severe'. So, essentially the decision had been made! We were also told that despite being eight months, he may only have to wear the helmet for 3-6 months, as bigger babies tend to respond more quickly. After this time, it is hoped that we will be in the normal range for both categories, and our journey with flat head syndrome (fingers crossed) will be over.
After agreeing to proceed, and paying the £1950 for treatment (we were lucky enough to be loaned the money by grandparents), scans were taken of bebe J's head, and his custom built helmet will be ready for fitting - tomorrow! As you can see, he totally rocked the pink bumbo and balaclava look :)
It has been a really difficult few weeks leading up to our decision to proceed with treatment, not withstanding the cost, and I'm sure some people will totally disagree with our choice. However, we personally felt that we should give the treatment a go, and 3-6 months is such a short period of time in the grand scheme of things.
Wish us luck x
When is a flat head more than just a bit flat?
About three weeks ago I was due to take bebe J to be weighed at the Health Visitor clinic. On telling my OH what we had planned for the day he casually asked whether I should mention his flat head? At this point I should probably tell you that he had just turned 8 months, and although we were aware of his flat spot, it hadn't been mentioned at any of his routine checks. Bebe J's head has always been at bit oddly shaped (but aren't a lot of babies?). He was also a big boy at 10lb 2oz, but had been born naturally without intervention.
So after having him weighed (still on the 91st percentile!), I turned him around and asked the Health Visitor what she thought. After a massive pause, she said 'oh yes, it is quite pronounced isn't it, have you taken him to the GP?' After telling her I hadn't, she then told me that actually the NHS can't do anything anyway, and had we considered private treatment!? She went on to tell me about a lady who had recently decided to obtain a helmet for her daughter in order to correct her flat head (whose head was apparently in better shape than Bebe J's!). She did kindly ring the lady, who gave her permission to pass on her telephone number so we could talk, but at this point I was in a bit of panic.
As bebe J is my second baby, I felt terrible that I hadn't been more concerned about his head. I just assumed his head would get better as he spent less time on his back. This is still true, to a degree, but some heads will always remain oddly shaped. After doing a bit of research I was also dismayed to see that at 8 months there is very little that you can do to help heads self correct without intervention. If his head had been raised as an issue earlier (between 3-6 months), we could have tried repositioning, a sleepcurve mattress, pillows, etc etc!
That afternoon I rang the doctors, and was offered an appointment the next day (they're always pretty good with babies). I was hoping that a second opinion would clarify whether his head was really as bad as the Health Visitor made out - and also wanted to explore our options. I can honestly say I was expecting the doctor to send us on our way, saying don't be silly, so was quite shocked by her reaction. To quote her, she said 'if it was my child I would helmet him without a shadow of a doubt - he'll have his head for the rest of his life' - yikes!
She confirmed that the NHS did not offer treatment (at least not in our area) and encouraged us to go to a private clinic ASAP. At 8 months, bebe J is nearing the end of the typical correction window, although it can be pursued after a year of age, just with slower results. It's a growth thing. We made an appointment with the London Orthotic Consultancy (LOC) and was given an appointment at their Cambridge clinic (our nearest one) for two weeks time...
So after having him weighed (still on the 91st percentile!), I turned him around and asked the Health Visitor what she thought. After a massive pause, she said 'oh yes, it is quite pronounced isn't it, have you taken him to the GP?' After telling her I hadn't, she then told me that actually the NHS can't do anything anyway, and had we considered private treatment!? She went on to tell me about a lady who had recently decided to obtain a helmet for her daughter in order to correct her flat head (whose head was apparently in better shape than Bebe J's!). She did kindly ring the lady, who gave her permission to pass on her telephone number so we could talk, but at this point I was in a bit of panic.
As bebe J is my second baby, I felt terrible that I hadn't been more concerned about his head. I just assumed his head would get better as he spent less time on his back. This is still true, to a degree, but some heads will always remain oddly shaped. After doing a bit of research I was also dismayed to see that at 8 months there is very little that you can do to help heads self correct without intervention. If his head had been raised as an issue earlier (between 3-6 months), we could have tried repositioning, a sleepcurve mattress, pillows, etc etc!
That afternoon I rang the doctors, and was offered an appointment the next day (they're always pretty good with babies). I was hoping that a second opinion would clarify whether his head was really as bad as the Health Visitor made out - and also wanted to explore our options. I can honestly say I was expecting the doctor to send us on our way, saying don't be silly, so was quite shocked by her reaction. To quote her, she said 'if it was my child I would helmet him without a shadow of a doubt - he'll have his head for the rest of his life' - yikes!
She confirmed that the NHS did not offer treatment (at least not in our area) and encouraged us to go to a private clinic ASAP. At 8 months, bebe J is nearing the end of the typical correction window, although it can be pursued after a year of age, just with slower results. It's a growth thing. We made an appointment with the London Orthotic Consultancy (LOC) and was given an appointment at their Cambridge clinic (our nearest one) for two weeks time...
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