Anxiety Chorioamnionitis and cerebral palsy

[TheBuffster]

I'm driving myself insane with anxiety, please help!

My baby was born after ruptured membranes at 39 weeks. I delayed induction by 48 hours and developed an infection during delivery, possibly Chorioamnionitis. Baby was kept in for a week after showing infection markers and give antibiotics.

Fast forward to 5 months and I am panicking about consequences. Baby has terrible reflux, I mean some days cries all day and constantly straining, arching back etc. His big toes look like claws. Development wise he hasn't rolled over yet but is touching his toes. He was a little late to smile 10 weeks or so and track objects, but does both now. He bats toys around and will play with if our in hands but doesn't seem actively bothered to reach for them. Tummy time he hates and can only lift his head up for a short while, but I have not practised too much. I can't stop worrying about cerebral to palsy, should I be overly concerned or am I being paranoid?

Only one of mine had rolled over by 5 months, so I don't think that is something to worry about.

Does your dc reach out with both hands for things? If they never or rarely use one hand it can be a sign of cereal palsy-or it can mean that they just have a preference for one hand.
I don't know about the toes-have you shown a Dr, but there isn't anything that says to me definitely be concerned.
Are his hands in tight fists when he bat's or does he open them? I think, but I may be wrong, that with CP they tend to keep their hands in tight fists, often with the thumb inside. Again some babies do anyway, so it's not a matter for immediate worry.

He fists his hands a lot but can open them. I'm not sure if that's because of the reflux hurting him because it's fairly extreme. He does use both hands but he is a little lackluster with it, less of a grab and more of an exploration. During tummy time he puts his right hand in the right place but doesn't seem to do the same with his left very much. I know I'm sending myself mad but I'm just so worried. Thank you for reply.

He saw a doctor at his 8 week check up but everything else is via telephone due to covid at the moment.

I have no helpful input myself regarding baby's behaviour but I didn't want to read and run.

What I will say though is that my DS was an incredibly refluxy baby (fountains of sick) and it did seem to delay him ever so slightly during his worst months.

That being said though, if you are at all concerned discuss it with a doctor, they'll be happy to help.

Please don't take this the wrong way but have to discussed your anxiety with anyone? Post natal anxiety is something that I myself went through and it is really hard to get yourself out of that fog of worry.

Good morning try not to let this spoil your time with your baby he is still your gorgeous boy. Maybe keep a journal of little things that are worrying you so when you do get to see a doctor you can read it and be clear. I speak as a Mum to a baby who was diagnosed with various disabilities but he was v v delayed. Your baby sounds like he is doing well but don’t let anyone stop your Mum instincts. I wish you both well xx

Thanks everyone. I think I almost certainly have pna- if it wasn't triggered by a week hospital stay after birth then it will have been becausey for covid, my rabbits for ill and baby became inconsolable all within a few weeks. I'm not really sure how to tackle it because talking to HV just made me feel worse. Problem is I'm a teacher and very much aware of how hard raising kids with special needs is. I can't seem to let it go. I was considering just ignoring the milestones but I don't know if that's a bit negligent. I'm lucky because my mum is helping out a lot but can't control my worries and am affecting hubby too. Just feel a bit abandoned by doctors etc during.lockdown as everything is via telephone so can't.really paint a full picture.

I can’t comment on symptoms you describe but @Witchend is wrong about fists - not everyone with CP has hand and arm involvement. I have it but not in arms. I know 4 people who have it their arms/hands none of whom do that.

Hi Just wanted to chip in I have CP affecting my left side affecting both limbs
My left hand does tend to fist and always had Apparently the first sign my mum noticed was leaning to left side when sitting
I'm 55 though and there were fewer checks on child development
At this stage I would think it's a feature of PNA rather than CP in your baby, but please mention it at his checks for reassurance

cwrebral palsy is normally down to hypoxia. An infection can very occasionally lead to cerebral Palsy but this would normally have to be a severe infection and prolonged/untreated. You’d have been checked when your waters went and wouldn’t have been showing signs of infection then of they’d have told you. So developed it either in labour or shortly before. I really think you don’t need to be concerned but if you’re worried about your anxiety/possible pnd then please seek help.

Unfortunately we do both have an infection. It was treated with antibiotics for the first week of his life. Just a bit concerned because baby is abnormal unhappy all day- purple crying, arching back etc.

Yes, but an infection lasting a week and treated with abx is very, very unlikely to cause cerebral palsy. Back arching sounds like tummy pain, I’d chat to your HV about this.....passiveness investigate cranial osteopathy. Some people swear by it.

possibly investtigate. Not passiveness!

Thank you. That's very reassuring. We've put him on Gabiscon and omeprzole so hopefully that will do the trick

Hey! My little one is similar to yours, my waters went at 39 weeks, and they done 3 vaginal exams when I had strep B!

And I can’t stop thinking that my little one has CP from Chorioamnionitis!

Hope you are okay!