to be shocked that I was told "I didn't think cleft lip and palate happened in the UK".

[Sleeker]

By someone in the job of parenting & pregnancy journalism.

[sharbie]

why would they think that ?

[Sleeker]

Because apparently you only see adverts for charities (eg Smiletrain) asking for donations to help children in countries like India.

[Panzee]

Maybe they keep seeing that ad for surgery in Africa that only costs a fiver, and thinks it just happens there.

[FamilyCircus]

Why wouldn't it happen in the UK? What a strange thing to say!

[Panzee]

X - post. There you go!

[Sleeker]

Surely it's not a logical conclusion though?? That it doesn't happen in the UK??

[K999]

What rubbish....

[FamilyCircus]

x-posted

[FurKnickersAndNoCoat]

just ignorance maybe rather than an intentionally unpleasant comment?

[FamilyCircus]

No not logical, because you see loads of people with cleft lip and palate (inc. my dad).

It's a really strange conclusion to draw IMO

[Sleeker]

Oh yes, I don't think it was meant unpleasantly at all. But I as just gobsmacked by the fact that someone in the market of advising parents and parents to be, wouldn't even know the basics behind the anomaly scan, or that this occurs in this country. I mean, why WOULDN'T it happen in the UK? I was just stunned by the ignorance.

[K999]

Actually,are you "said" journalist and you want us to do the research for you??

[UndiscoveredApprentice]

Stupid, ill thought out but judged on an advert. I suppose there are lots of conditions which don't get advertised, so for some reason they thought this was third world specific.

Hey ho, can't say it worries me, other than the professional journalist not engaging brain bit lol.

[Sleeker]

Heehee K999, no I'm not. But I have name changed, hence the first post under this name.

I was just stunned, and then wondered whether this was a common opinion - but couldn't imagine it possibly could be.

[Paschaelina]

Don't think anyone told my nephews, both of whom have repaired clefts.

[Panzee]

I've only ever seen two people with repaired clefts. It's possible that people have never seen anyone in the UK.

[Sleeker]

paschaelina may I ask - are your two nephews brothers, or cousins?

[Sleeker]

panzee or that the repairs are darned good nowadays, thank the Lord!

[UndiscoveredApprentice]

Panzee, maybe it's just there are brilliant repairs, like my two kids.

[Panzee]

Oh yes I should have said that sleeker.

[FamilyCircus]

I suppose it's possible Panzee. It's hard for me to believe, but probably because I know exactly what to look for because of my dad. His has been corrected but you can still see it.

[doley]

When I was in London , I worked with someone who was also in the job of pregnancy and parenting journalism .

The entire eight hours I was in the studio with her, she chain-smoked all over me . I was 8 months pregnant at the time .

I was also surprised that she thought this alright ,after all ,one would expect her to have heard (at some point ) that that was not all that cool

So...UANBU ,given her line of work .

[earlyriser]

In one of the adverts it does state that these conditions are much less common in the uk etc because it can be caused by a lack of essential vitamins and nutrients in pregnancy, the advice that pregnant woman and those planning on becomming pregnant take folic acid and other supplements has dramatically reduced the incidences of cleft palate etc in this country.

[FamilyCircus]

Shit, I feel like I'm putting my foot firmly in it on this thread. My dad's was corrected 60+ years ago. I probably wouldn't notice one now.

[earlyriser]

Plus generally the diets of pregnant women in the uk do tend to be better than in India.