Mom to a 21 month old girl born with a Cleft Lip

Donna - posted on 02/21/2009

Hi my son Bridon was to born with cleft lip & palete and I did not know until he was born.  They did not pick it up on the ultrasounds. I to did not know anything about it, my husband did as his best friend has one and knew all about it but I freaked out when I was told.  I did not see him for about 6 hours after his birth due to complications and then I saw him and understood. 

My son is now 5 years old and just had surgery last week to debulk his lip & repair his palete again and we hope it holds this time.  I totally trush his surgeon and know he has done it many times.  You will get an old hand at it.  Nice to meet you and look forward to hearing your daughters progress.

Donna Wilson

Sarah - posted on 02/17/2009

hi there my son frank was born in 2006 with a cleft lip which also affected his right nostril.It was also a big shock to me and my husband as we had no clue until he was born.

I really struggled at first i felt very protective over him and found it very hard to go out in puplic because i didnt want any one to stare at him.He was a georgous boy who had the most beautiful smile and after a while i started to relax and go out and about with him.

when he was 5 months old he had his lip corrected and a sticth put in his nostril,they did an amazing job it hardly notices at all apart from a slight bump on his lip and hes nostril is slighty uneven.I remember crying after the surgery because he looked so diffrent i had got used to the old face.

frank is 2 and a half now and a joy to be around...

PaulaandRoss - posted on 01/27/2009

Thank you.  All children are precious, but those with special needs just are precious in a different way...their extra needs and their beautiful uniqueness just melt our hearts.  For my husband and I, just knowing that our Brihanna was alive and relatively healthy, was what mattered most.  We have 2 other children at home, but we also lost one child at birth.  So, anything that has been thrown our way since then, has been so much easier to deal with.  Our love and devotion for Brihanna are what will help Brihanna get through anything!

Be proud of yourself for being there for your beautiful daughter...and all the best!

Paula Bryan

Ashley - posted on 01/25/2009

My daughter is 17 months and was born with both cleft lip and palate! We were unaware the whole pregnacy too! But I'm happy and your right is did make her smile much cuter! It was a shock to me being a single mom and only being 22! But she is the love of my life. Surgeries don't get any easier it's always an uneasy time for me and step dad! My daughter knows everytime we get on the highway that something is wrong! But the three times she has been put to sleep everything has been fine. Your a mom it's natural to be nervous.