Developmental dysplasia of the hip

[Durhamchance]

I'm really hoping for some happy/ success stories here.

Our little girl has been diagnosed with this today at just 12 days old. She's in a Pavlik harness and my heart is breaking. We were sent for an X-ray as she was transverse in the final few weeks. I didn't anticipate any issues and its hit me like a ton of bricks. The consultant has warned us she could be in the harness for up to three months. I can't bath her and she can't wear any clothing on her lower half. I feel like someone has stolen what should be such a happy time in our lives. I can't stop crying.

 

[JJ Mum]

Oh hun i don't know much about it pther than it's far more common in girls. My freinds baby girl had it and was in harness for about 3 mths too. It's a great time of year for it as it's warmer and vests will be fine. Do go onto ebay and get some leg warmers for colder days , they do some really lovely and pretty ones , ruby had loads. They will keep a good eye on her now which is fab. Ruby is a perfectly happy normal
2 yr old and was super early to hit all her milestones, walked snd crawled way before 1 and sat really early etc so it really shouldn't affect her. As a comparison my son is only just tottering in first shoes now at 19 mths!

 

[babyscotcher]

Sorry to hear you have had bad news Durham but she wont remember any of it and getting it sorted now is the best things for her while her bones are still softer and easily put back into the right place.

Nothing stopping her being in pretty dresses over the summer months so doubt you will even notice.

Good luck. X

 

[Sunbeam638]

Hi Hun

I have no experience of this except to say massive hugs & three months will fly by xxx

 

[Sprout]

I really feel for you; as I said on your other post, my little girl was in a Pavlik harness from 6 weeks - I cried the entire first day. Within about a week I barely noticed it though, and I can honestly say my daughter never seemed to mind it.

I can imagine it's heartbreaking to see a tiny 12 day old in it but try to remember that the earlier they start treatment, the better and she's even less likely to be bothered by it.

My LO was in it for 7 weeks - we were also told it could be three months - and it's something I very rarely remember now, and if I do I mostly just feel grateful that such a relatively simple treatment has meant she can be a normal child and not have the possibility of having issues walking etc.

I promise you will feel better tomorrow, and even better the day after that and soon enough it will just seem normal - then the day will come that they take it off and you'll feel like all your Christmasses have come at once

Please feel free to PM me if you like. There's also a charity called STEPS who have an online forum for other parents with babies in harnesses.

 

[Durhamchance]

Thank you for the replies x

I'm very emotional right now and we didn't have a great night either. I've found out that one of my Facebook friends has been through the same with her daughter, it's definitely more reassuring to talk to people who've been through it, so I will join the STEPS forum thanks Sprout x

I know it's not the end of the world, and there are babies going through much worse right now, but I can't stop apologising to her and just feel like I could have/ should have done something to prevent this I'm already wishing away the weeks to get my little girl back.

 

[clairebear22]

You cry Hun! Let it all out! Then once you've cried all you can you'll think 'ah it's 3 months compared to her having maybe years of problems if she doesn't wear it.

But for now let your feelings take the lead.

My eldest as autism. I was in denial for quite a while but now we're coming to the end of a long battle to get him into special school for September and I couldn't be happier!

Wait your little lady is toddling around this time next year, you'll be beaming with pride because she's had to work that extra bit harder xxx

 

[Rooster30]

Oh gosh. I'm sorry As others have said, at least your baby girl won't remember it.

My boy had to have a cast at about 15 months old on his leg, nothing major, but I was gutted. He had just mastered walking and to have him debilitated all if a sudden was heartbreaking. Fortunately the cast was off after a week as A&E had been too hasty.

Anyway, basically, have a good cry and fingers crossed the harness will be off before you know it. Have a cuddle with your other half.

 

[Glitter2707]

My little nephew had this - he spent 3 months in a harness. It came as a huge shock to my sister in law - as a first time mum she went to an appointment and came out with her baby in a harness. I know they found it hard at first with clothing, bathing etc, but she looks back now and says how grateful she is that such a straightforward, fairly short term thing has stopped and issues developing which might have had a bigger impact on his life.
I completely understand the way that you're feeling though - although you have done nothing wrong! Sending hugs.

 

[hopeful1976]

Honey, sweetie, I am so sorry to hear about the hard time youare having,but let me cheer you up a little. I am 38, and I was born with Dysplasia of a hip, exactly the same thing your little one has. My mum told me many stories about the time i was diagnosed and put in the harness, and yes it took a few long for my parents months and yes it was a lot of crying as baby is uncomfortable, etc, but i thought I would let you know, that not only obviously I have no recollection of any of that whatsoever, and have grown up having totaly healthy hips and legs,but more so, I have grown up with the best pair of legs/hips in town After doing gymnastics all my school years and being one of the best, I have then gone on to having years of modelling carreer ( obviously modelling no more at my age) with my legs always being my best asset. I swear as ironic as it is, my legs have always been my selling point..even still now at 38, my legs and my butt are my best assets I thought I d tell u that and put a smile on your face...As hard as it is now, it will pass sweetie, and will leave no trace of it behind I swear..I was treated 38 years ago, you cant even compare the healthcare back then and now, and still I hav never ever in my life felt any aftereffects or traces of my dysplasia, so your lovely little one will be ansolutely perfect at the end of it honey, good luck and tons of love to you and your baby Xxxxxxx