Pregnancy
If you have recently discovered during a routine 18 – 20 week scan that your baby is going to be born with either a cleft lip or palate or both you are probably wondering where to turn or have numerous questions to ask. I did. You may also be questioning is it anything I have done? The answer to this is no. Don’t blame yourself.
I can understand how you feel. All you need to do is prepare yourself by looking through picture of babies born with cleft lip and palate. Visit our forum and chat to other mums who can help you.
If you have recently discovered during a routine 18 – 20 week scan that your baby is going to be born with either a cleft lip or palate or both you are probably wondering where to turn or have numerous questions to ask. I did. You may also be questioning is it anything I have done? The answer to this is no. Don’t blame yourself.
I can understand how you feel. All you need to do is prepare yourself by looking through picture of babies born with cleft lip and palate. Visit our forum and chat to other mums who can help you.
Most scans only ever pick up the presence of a cleft lip and sometimes cleft gum. A scan cannot reliably identify a cleft palate, either when associated with a cleft lip or on its own.
Why does it happen? There may be many contributing factors as to why babies are born with a cleft lip and palate but there is no firm evidence or research that has been carried out. When I research into this I found the following may be contributing factors:
Taking certain medication such as anticonvulsant drug phenytoin
Drinking large amounts of alcohol
If you came in to contact with rubella
Family history there may be a slight genetic predisposition
If an older sibling has a cleft lip and palate it can increase the risk
Change in a gene called Methlenetetrohydofolate Reductate which alters the way folic acid is processed in the body.
These are just to name a few.
Will my baby need treatment? Yes.
What will happen now? Once you have had your 18 – 20 week scan you will be put in touch with a member of the cleft lip and palate team. I met the cleft nurse during my pregnancy and found it useful asking lots of questions and preparing myself for what my son would need.
The important thing to remember is that your baby is going to be beautiful and that they are extra special.
Why does it happen? There may be many contributing factors as to why babies are born with a cleft lip and palate but there is no firm evidence or research that has been carried out. When I research into this I found the following may be contributing factors:
Taking certain medication such as anticonvulsant drug phenytoin
Drinking large amounts of alcohol
If you came in to contact with rubella
Family history there may be a slight genetic predisposition
If an older sibling has a cleft lip and palate it can increase the risk
Change in a gene called Methlenetetrohydofolate Reductate which alters the way folic acid is processed in the body.
These are just to name a few.
Will my baby need treatment? Yes.
What will happen now? Once you have had your 18 – 20 week scan you will be put in touch with a member of the cleft lip and palate team. I met the cleft nurse during my pregnancy and found it useful asking lots of questions and preparing myself for what my son would need.
The important thing to remember is that your baby is going to be beautiful and that they are extra special.
