Cephalohematoma

[Hotcrossbunsinbed]

Hello Mumsnetters! Posting for a bit of reassurance. My baby was born with a cephalohematoma after a difficult delivery 2 weeks ago. Had forceps but strongly believe it was a result of the baby being back to back and head off to one side. I was induced and the contractions were very strong. Epidural didn’t touch the pain / failed twice so the assisted delivery was a blessing. I was not concerned about the hematoma at first but over past week or so it started to get much bigger. Went from cute bump to giant goose egg. My midwife was always adamant all was well unless it was getting bigger. Cue calls to midwife and trip to childrens A&E. They looked at him and said nothing to worry about but come back over the weekend if it gets bigger. It got significantly bigger so I went back. Felt quite patronised at this point and told it was harmless and would go away on its own but was again told to return if it got bigger and to ask my midwife to measure it. By Monday I had my midwife appointment and it had grown in 36 hours from 8cm x 8 cm to 10 cm x 10 cm she was concerned and sent me back to A&E. She called ahead to say I was coming in. This time my baby had a temperature of 38.2 and they were suddenly a bit more worried about him. He had a lumbar puncture, blood tests, CT scan and stayed in hospital for 2 nights. At this stage it looks like nothing is coming up on the tests as out of the ordinary and he will likely be discharged tomorrow. I am glad they have been more cautious but I just feel so incredibly guilty my newborn has been through this ordeal and that my worries about the condition have caused extra interventions that have distressed him. He is doing much better and more relaxed now but really feel like this is all my fault. Also worried about whether it will go away in 2-3 months as we have been told as keep reading online about some that have not gone and have caused issues. Has anyone got experience of this and did it go away? Bit more worried as it’s a really big one getting on for 11cm x 11 cm now and still growing! Will it stop? Have I just traumatised my newborn unnecessarily by following this up when the doctors are so unconcerned about this condition? The rapid growth is what has made me follow this up persistently as it feels bit more out of the ordinary but I really have no idea and keep being told this is very common. Any thoughts would be really helpful!

They wouldn’t have done the tests if they didn’t think they were necessary. Your baby won’t remember any of it, and sometimes it really is better to be in the safe side.

My baby’s bump arrived the day after a perfectly standard labour, and dredging my memory they weren’t concerned because it didn’t cross the centre line. Maybe I’m making that up, it’s a long time ago.

What I remember clearly was how it went down, it was a big old bump but went down over the course of an afternoon. I need to sleep now, but I’ll check the photos tomorrow and see when.

Try not to worry about it, but also if you are at all concerned don’t worry about making a fuss to get what you need!

Ok thanks so much for your reply that’s really helpful. He is going home today so maybe will feel better when we are away from the hospital and can get him settled again. He is not enjoying his stay here and seems out of sorts. Glad to hear it completely went away on your baby and the speed at which it did. That’s amazing really. Hope we have the same outcome!

You absolutely did the right thing being persistent and getting it checked! If everything comes back normal then that's great, but you weren't to know that without taking him to A&E. You've done an amazing job already being your baby's advocate! Don't let anyone make you feel bad for seeking advice.

My little one is 6 months old and has just been diagnosed with a calcified cephalohematoma.

I am hoping to find others that have experienced this too, as I am really concerned that my baby will require surgery 😭.

Please share your recovery stories with me Mumas so I can prepare myself with what to expect!
x x

@Hotcrossbunsinbed @Badgerooroo Hi both. I was just wondering how you got on with your little ones cephalohematomas? My little boy has two either side of his head. They started off as general swelling that turned into two giant golf balls by the time he was a week old. We were told they’d go down but he’s now 4 months old and they’ve gone down a lot but have calcified/hardened and are still pretty prominent. We’ve been referred to pediatrics but still awaiting an appointment but I don’t know what to expect.