Hi all,
My 3rd labour resulted in a severe shoulder dystocia delivery where my baby was still born and resuscitated. Apgars 0 and 0. He had erb's palsy from which he has made a good recovery after starting physio from a week old.
His MRI at 5 months old came back normal.
2 years in he is still having physio in the form of weekly hydro therapy. He has lowered tone, lax ligaments and hyper mobile joints. He has sensory problems and visual perceptual difficulties. Recently he had another MRI scan which now is showing damage which will support a cerebral palsy diagnosis.
We have been lucky enough to access services although at times you do need to be forceful.
HE has physiotherapy, speech therapy for feeding difficulties and language delay, is under ophthalmology for visual perceptual difficulties, regularly reviewed by cdc, wears orthotic boots with insoles and is awaiting occupational therapy and a psychology assessment. Every week is a cocktail of appointments.
He is our miracle as he was not expected to live let alone walk, talk and do everything any other little boy can do even if it is more effort for him.
I have never recovered from my traumatic birth but I think I'm strong and just get on with it mostly because you have to. I wonder if one day when all the appointments start to settle down whether I will be more affected as for 2 years all I've done is concentrate on giving my boy the best start to life. Even my partner doesn't fully understand as he wasn't at the birth but my mum who was has been traumatised and she has had 8 kids.
I'm thankful to the support of other mums who have had babies with HIE and to the fantastic support group on facebook www.facebook.com/groups/hopeforhie/ It's a closed group and you have to have a child who has suffered HIE to be a member.
I'd like to hear from other parents who have been in a similar situation to me and how it has affected them in the longtern. Also if there are any other mummies who need any advice or support I'm willing to be an ear (or eye should I say) and I'm happy for you to pm me.