No one wants to talk about it, but sadly bad things happen during pregnancy. Sometimes babies die and sometimes babies are not born perfect with "10 little fingers and 10 little toes." Since no one talks about these things, going through a difficult pregnancy, when you know your child is going to be born with a birth defect, can be very isolating. Each year about 120,000 babies are born with a defect. The most common are: heart (a common result of prematurity), cleft lip/palate, Down Syndrome, Spina bifida (when the spinal cord develops incorrectly, leaving it exposed), arm and leg, gastrointestinal, and eye defects. They are the leading cause of death of babies within the first year of life. There are a wide range of defects, defined as abnormal structure, function, or body chemistry, which lead to death or physical/mental disabilities. Birth defects are caused by genetics (chromosomal problems or gene mutations) or environmental factors (such as exposure to certain chemicals, infections, drugs–prescription as well as illegal–or alcohol). Unfortunately, for those wondering "Why me?" the majority of the time there are no known reasons why this happened. Here are some tips to help you cope in this situation: If you're struggling to get answers from your doctor; get a second opinion. They should be there for you, to explain what to expect during and after pregnancy, as well as to provide support during this difficult time. If doc isn't meeting your needs, move on. (Yes, I'm saying...

Difficult pregnancies with birth defects can be isolating. Educate yourself, seek second opinions, aim to enjoy pregnancy, and find support.

Managing Pregnancy When Baby Isn't Perfect

No one wants to talk about it, but sadly bad things happen during pregnancy. Sometimes babies die and sometimes babies are not born perfect with "10 little fingers and 10 little toes." Since no one talks about these things, going through a difficult pregnancy, when you know your child is going to be born with a birth defect, can be very isolating.  Each year about 120,000 babies are born with a defect. The most common are: heart (a common result of prematurity), cleft lip/palate, Down Syndrome, Spina bifida (when the spinal cord develops incorrectly, leaving it exposed), arm and leg, gastrointestinal, and eye defects. They are the leading cause of death of babies within the first year of life.  There are a wide range of defects, defined as abnormal structure, function, or body chemistry, which lead to death or physical/mental disabilities. Birth defects are caused by genetics (chromosomal problems or gene mutations) or environmental factors (such as exposure to certain chemicals, infections, drugs–prescription as well as illegal–or alcohol). Unfortunately, for those wondering "Why me?" the majority of the time there are no known reasons why this happened. Here are some tips to help you cope in this situation:  If you're struggling to get answers from your doctor; get a second opinion. They should be there for you, to explain what to expect during and after pregnancy, as well as to provide support during this difficult time. If doc isn't meeting your needs, move on. (Yes, I'm saying...

Starting with a mother's need to protect her son, The Medi-Kid Company has grown to make the widest variety of arm, leg, and wrist immobilizers on the market Parents do not want to physically immobilize their children, but sometimes it's necessary to keep them from complicating medical conditions or harming themselves. For instance, when infants, toddlers, or kids simply cannot resist picking at their surgical sutures, poking at painful areas that must heal, or pulling off eyepatches or other treatment devices, pediatric limb immobilizers that immobilize their arms, wrists, or legs may be required. These immobilizers can also provide needed support for children's arms or legs when there are strength, control, or balance issues. Because of these benefits, pediatric limb immobilizers are increasingly used in children's conditions ranging from cleft palate and amblyopia to cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and even chronic thumbsucking (which can lead to tooth and gum problems). These immobilizers have become increasingly popular among surgeons, doctors, nurses, dentists, physical therapists, ophthalmologists, and parents. Yet when parents must immobilize or support their children's limbs for their own good, it's vital to do so in a gentle, loving way that minimizes any discomfort or trauma to the child. Before advanced pediatric immobilization wraps were developed, however, parents and doctors used very basic objects to serve as arm and leg immobilizers. In the past, items such as Pringles potato chip cans, magazines, tongue depressors, and...

Medi-Kid Co. offers a range of pediatric limb immobilizers, created by a mom, to safely support healing during medical treatments.

Product of the Week: Pediatric Limb Immobilizers

  Starting with a mother's need to protect her son, The Medi-Kid Company has grown to make the widest variety of arm, leg, and wrist immobilizers on the market    Parents do not want to physically immobilize their children, but sometimes it's necessary to keep them from complicating medical conditions or harming themselves.    For instance, when infants, toddlers, or kids simply cannot resist picking at their surgical sutures, poking at painful areas that must heal, or pulling off eyepatches or other treatment devices, pediatric limb immobilizers that immobilize their arms, wrists, or legs may be required. These immobilizers can also provide needed support for children's arms or legs when there are strength, control, or balance issues.   Because of these benefits, pediatric limb immobilizers are increasingly used in children's conditions ranging from cleft palate and amblyopia to cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and even chronic thumbsucking (which can lead to tooth and gum problems). These immobilizers have become increasingly popular among surgeons, doctors, nurses, dentists, physical therapists, ophthalmologists, and parents.   Yet when parents must immobilize or support their children's limbs for their own good, it's vital to do so in a gentle, loving way that minimizes any discomfort or trauma to the child.    Before advanced pediatric immobilization wraps were developed, however, parents and doctors used very basic objects to serve as arm and leg immobilizers. In the past, items such as Pringles potato chip cans, magazines, tongue depressors, and...

Spina Bifida is one of the most common birth defects, occurring in 1 out of 2,500 babies. Also termed a "cleft spine" or "open spine," it affects the lower back and in more severe cases, the spinal cord. Carla Lohr was born with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele and grew up wearing leg braces and struggling to fit in. She now finds herself in the unique position of being a parent to a son with Spina Bifida Occulta, a less severe form. Lohr writes in the Huffington Post that she initially thought that her experience having lived with Spina Bifida would make her son's diagnosis less of a challenge. She soon discovered that "being the patient is so much different—and easier—than it is to be the parent." Having already experienced living with Spina Bifida, Lohr understands the frustration of having people tell her what she cannot do. It is something that plays tug-of-war with her head and her heart as a parent, when she worries that her son will get hurt because of the weakness in his leg muscles and the fact that he is missing one vertebra and there are holes in the majority of the others. When people told Lohr not to do something because they worried for her safety, she felt it was unfair that they were trying to set limits for her. When it came to her son going on a hunting trip with his dad, brother and uncle, Lohr had a different reaction. She was...

Carla Lohr, with Spina Bifida, navigates parenting a child with the condition, learning to balance protection and empowering her son.

Spina Bifida: From Patient to Parent

Spina Bifida is one of the most common birth defects, occurring in 1 out of 2,500 babies. Also termed a "cleft spine" or "open spine," it affects the lower back and in more severe cases, the spinal cord. Carla Lohr was born with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele and grew up wearing leg braces and struggling to fit in. She now finds herself in the unique position of being a parent to a son with Spina Bifida Occulta, a less severe form.  Lohr writes in the Huffington Post that she initially thought that her experience having lived with Spina Bifida would make her son's diagnosis less of a challenge. She soon discovered that "being the patient is so much different—and easier—than it is to be the parent."  Having already experienced living with Spina Bifida, Lohr understands the frustration of having people tell her what she cannot do. It is something that plays tug-of-war with her head and her heart as a parent, when she worries that her son will get hurt because of the weakness in his leg muscles and the fact that he is missing one vertebra and there are holes in the majority of the others. When people told Lohr not to do something because they worried for her safety, she felt it was unfair that they were trying to set limits for her. When it came to her son going on a hunting trip with his dad, brother and uncle, Lohr had a different reaction. She was...

Couples who plan to adopt often look to other countries with cultures similar to their own. That is why Megan and Keith Nakamoto began the China adoption process in 2005. "My husband is Japanese, so we are familiar with the Asian culture. We thought it would be a smoother culture for [adopted daughter Tessa]," Megan Nakamoto tells the Chicago Tribune. While most U.S. adoption agencies have stopped accepting applications for China's traditional program due to a lengthy wait time (up to six years), programs like Waiting Child release children with minor to significant special needs in as little as a year. Couples like the Nakamotos who are perhaps older and do not want the age gap between their other children to grow too large are opting for programs like Waiting Child more and more. The Nakamotos prepared for a special needs adoption by assessing their health insurance and finances to ensure that they could provide the proper care for a child with health issues. A year after submitting their application to Waiting Child, they were on a flight to China to bring Tessa home. Now Tessa has undergone surgery to repair her cleft palate and ear tubes, and she sees a physical therapist to work on her leg and hip, which are turned out for unknown reasons. Another woman, Kara Bourke, who was on a waiting list for China's traditional adoption program for over a year, considered adopting a child with special needs when she realized she wasn't making...

Couples are choosing special needs adoption to avoid long waits, such as Nakamotos and Bourke who adopted from China.

More Couples Look to Special Needs Adoption

Couples who plan to adopt often look to other countries with cultures similar to their own. That is why Megan and Keith Nakamoto began the China adoption process in 2005. "My husband is Japanese, so we are familiar with the Asian culture. We thought it would be a smoother culture for [adopted daughter Tessa]," Megan Nakamoto tells the Chicago Tribune. While most U.S. adoption agencies have stopped accepting applications for China's traditional program due to a lengthy wait time (up to six years), programs like Waiting Child release children with minor to significant special needs in as little as a year. Couples like the Nakamotos who are perhaps older and do not want the age gap between their other children to grow too large are opting for programs like Waiting Child more and more. The Nakamotos prepared for a special needs adoption by assessing their health insurance and finances to ensure that they could provide the proper care for a child with health issues. A year after submitting their application to Waiting Child, they were on a flight to China to bring Tessa home. Now Tessa has undergone surgery to repair her cleft palate and ear tubes, and she sees a physical therapist to work on her leg and hip, which are turned out for unknown reasons.  Another woman, Kara Bourke, who was on a waiting list for China's traditional adoption program for over a year, considered adopting a child with special needs when she realized she wasn't making...

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Special Needs
Articles

Managing Pregnancy When Baby Isn't Perfect

Product of the Week: Pediatric Limb Immobilizers

Spina Bifida: From Patient to Parent

More Couples Look to Special Needs Adoption

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Managing Pregnancy When Baby Isn't Perfect

Product of the Week: Pediatric Limb Immobilizers

Spina Bifida: From Patient to Parent

More Couples Look to Special Needs Adoption

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles