Re: Help - possible premature baby

July 19, 2004

Hello. I actually, joined this website back in June when we were diagnosed with

bilateral clubfoot. Aiden is currently 26 weeks and I'm in the hospital with

ruptured memebranes (i.e., I'm losing amniotic fluid). So far, we're both

doing well, have avoided infection and have had no contractions - we could be

here for awhile. My due date isn't until Oct 23rd. Ironically, low fluid can

actually be the cause of clubfeet in a fetus. Before I ruptured I had more than

enough fluid and it was ruled out. Maybe God was just preparing him! :-)

Anyway, this has been my first chance to get back on-line was wondering if

someone has been in a premature birth situation. How long would I have to wait

before he get's treatment? I would think after he's stable but if it's a month

or two is that two late? Are there bones still soft enough? The odds are good

he'll come early. How soon did your friend start the casting?

iditwagner iditwagner@...> wrote:

Hello,

Hello, my friends daughter decided to come out when she was 29 weeks

in her mom's belly (-: they started the casting pretty soon after

that and she is about to have the Tenotomy a week from today. – this

is one week before her " original " due date.

Her parents already know they might have problems with shoes size.-

any ideas?

Dose anyone no if it is safe to go through tenotomy at this point?

Can it be too early for the ligaments?

Thanks

Idit, mom to Oshri, 10 month. BL ClubFoot, heavy DBB for 16/24

hours.. http://truly_clubfoot.tripod.com - website in Hebrew. To see

the photos click on the leftist link on the top frame.

July 20, 2004

Hi,

I also delivered early because of lack of amniotic fluid. It wasn't 26

weeks but that is when my problems began. Chrisitan, my son, was casted

anyway at 6 days old. I didn't know that low fluid can cause clubfeet.

Good luck! We will pray for you and your family.

Re: Help - possible premature baby

Hello. I actually, joined this website back in June when we were diagnosed

with bilateral clubfoot. Aiden is currently 26 weeks and I'm in the

hospital with ruptured memebranes (i.e., I'm losing amniotic fluid). So

far, we're both doing well, have avoided infection and have had no

contractions - we could be here for awhile. My due date isn't until Oct

23rd. Ironically, low fluid can actually be the cause of clubfeet in a

fetus. Before I ruptured I had more than enough fluid and it was ruled out.

Maybe God was just preparing him! :-)

Anyway, this has been my first chance to get back on-line was wondering if

someone has been in a premature birth situation. How long would I have to

wait before he get's treatment? I would think after he's stable but if

it's a month or two is that two late? Are there bones still soft enough?

The odds are good he'll come early. How soon did your friend start the

casting?

iditwagner iditwagner@...> wrote:

Hello,

Hello, my friends daughter decided to come out when she was 29 weeks

in her mom's belly (-: they started the casting pretty soon after

that and she is about to have the Tenotomy a week from today. - this

is one week before her " original " due date.

Her parents already know they might have problems with shoes size.-

any ideas?

Dose anyone no if it is safe to go through tenotomy at this point?

Can it be too early for the ligaments?

Thanks

Idit, mom to Oshri, 10 month. BL ClubFoot, heavy DBB for 16/24

hours.. http://truly_clubfoot.tripod.com - website in Hebrew. To see

the photos click on the leftist link on the top frame.

July 20, 2004

It is my understanding that you should definitely wait until he is stable and

out of the hospital. There is no need to rush. There is no reason that I know

of to start casting before the actual due date. Little tiny premature sized

feet cause problems with the DBB. Even the Markell 0000 are likely to be too

big. You want to make sure that there will be a viable size of shoes for him to

go into after casting. Untouched feet will be workable for many, many months.

My son was born premature - not alot, but still at 35 weeks i is considered

preemie - and while he was the size of a full term infant (7 lb, 4 oz) he did

have some other minor medical issues. Anyway, he was born on 12/31/02 and not

casted until 01/17/03. His due date was 01/23/03, so he was actually casted

before his due date, but also by that time he was thriving and definitely big

enough!

Angel

Re: Help - possible premature baby

Hello. I actually, joined this website back in June when we were diagnosed

with bilateral clubfoot. Aiden is currently 26 weeks and I'm in the

hospital with ruptured memebranes (i.e., I'm losing amniotic fluid). So

far, we're both doing well, have avoided infection and have had no

contractions - we could be here for awhile. My due date isn't until Oct

23rd. Ironically, low fluid can actually be the cause of clubfeet in a

fetus. Before I ruptured I had more than enough fluid and it was ruled out.

Maybe God was just preparing him! :-)

Anyway, this has been my first chance to get back on-line was wondering if

someone has been in a premature birth situation. How long would I have to

wait before he get's treatment? I would think after he's stable but if

it's a month or two is that two late? Are there bones still soft enough?

The odds are good he'll come early. How soon did your friend start the

casting?

iditwagner iditwagner@...> wrote:

Hello,

Hello, my friends daughter decided to come out when she was 29 weeks

in her mom's belly (-: they started the casting pretty soon after

that and she is about to have the Tenotomy a week from today. - this

is one week before her " original " due date.

Her parents already know they might have problems with shoes size.-

any ideas?

Dose anyone no if it is safe to go through tenotomy at this point?

Can it be too early for the ligaments?

Thanks

Idit, mom to Oshri, 10 month. BL ClubFoot, heavy DBB for 16/24

hours.. http://truly_clubfoot.tripod.com - website in Hebrew. To see

the photos click on the leftist link on the top frame.

July 20, 2004

Hi ,

I do not have experience with a preemie with clubfeet, BUT my twins

were born at 31 weeks so I know the NICU stuff if you should need

info or support. Hopefully Aiden will decide that he is nice and

cozy where he is and he won't make his debut anytime soon!

Best wishes to you and Aiden!

Marilouise

9/9/03, LCF, cast #2/2nd series

Owen and 3/20/99

> Hello. I actually, joined this website back in June when we were

diagnosed with bilateral clubfoot. Aiden is currently 26 weeks and

I'm in the hospital with ruptured memebranes (i.e., I'm losing

amniotic fluid). So far, we're both doing well, have avoided

infection and have had no contractions - we could be here for

awhile. My due date isn't until Oct 23rd. Ironically, low fluid

can actually be the cause of clubfeet in a fetus. Before I ruptured

I had more than enough fluid and it was ruled out. Maybe God was

just preparing him! :-)

>

> Anyway, this has been my first chance to get back on-line was

wondering if someone has been in a premature birth situation. How

long would I have to wait before he get's treatment? I would think

after he's stable but if it's a month or two is that two late? Are

there bones still soft enough? The odds are good he'll come early.

How soon did your friend start the casting?

July 20, 2004

When we were diagnosed we asked what causes it. In our case, there is not

another case of clubfeet on either my husband or my side of the family (heredity

is the most common reason, they believe). My husband, his mom and son (from a

previous marriage) are pigeon toed, his son being the most severe. We thought

that was our link (our little boy just went overboard). However, the doctor

said one doesn't have anything to do with the other. Since we don't have any

cases in our families we wanted to know what other possible causes could be.

When you lose amniotic fluid the baby can still exist inside the uterus (as long

as there is no infection) but the fluid allows the child to move. Often a side

affect of low or no fluid can be clubfeet. The baby begins to restrict, muscles

can't be flexed or stretched because they don't have the fluid which allows

motion. I hope that makes sense. However, it's not always the case. My fluid

was measured to see if that was a cause of his clubfoot - I had plenty though.

Anyway, I'm sure you weren't looking for that much detail but I just thought I'd

elaborate. I'm not doing much else but lying here!

Were you on bed rest as well? How early was your son?

Thanks for your prayers.

Gerace cgerace@...> wrote:

Hi,

I also delivered early because of lack of amniotic fluid. It wasn't 26

weeks but that is when my problems began. Chrisitan, my son, was casted

anyway at 6 days old. I didn't know that low fluid can cause clubfeet.

Good luck! We will pray for you and your family.

Re: Help - possible premature baby

Hello. I actually, joined this website back in June when we were diagnosed

with bilateral clubfoot. Aiden is currently 26 weeks and I'm in the

hospital with ruptured memebranes (i.e., I'm losing amniotic fluid). So

far, we're both doing well, have avoided infection and have had no

contractions - we could be here for awhile. My due date isn't until Oct

23rd. Ironically, low fluid can actually be the cause of clubfeet in a

fetus. Before I ruptured I had more than enough fluid and it was ruled out.

Maybe God was just preparing him! :-)

Anyway, this has been my first chance to get back on-line was wondering if

someone has been in a premature birth situation. How long would I have to

wait before he get's treatment? I would think after he's stable but if

it's a month or two is that two late? Are there bones still soft enough?

The odds are good he'll come early. How soon did your friend start the

casting?

iditwagner iditwagner@...> wrote:

Hello,

Hello, my friends daughter decided to come out when she was 29 weeks

in her mom's belly (-: they started the casting pretty soon after

that and she is about to have the Tenotomy a week from today. - this

is one week before her " original " due date.

Her parents already know they might have problems with shoes size.-

any ideas?

Dose anyone no if it is safe to go through tenotomy at this point?

Can it be too early for the ligaments?

Thanks

Idit, mom to Oshri, 10 month. BL ClubFoot, heavy DBB for 16/24

hours.. http://truly_clubfoot.tripod.com - website in Hebrew. To see

the photos click on the leftist link on the top frame.

July 20, 2004

Good information for me though. : ) My son was born at 38 weeks 3 days by

C-section due to high blood pressure and fear of pre-eclampsia. My OB told

the neonatologist at the hospital that I had less amniotic fluid than

normal. The neonatologist thought that my son's BCF was caused more by the

low fluid than genetically because his feet would have been wedged in there

and not able to move like they would if I'd have had enough fluid. I'm not

sure what happened with the fluid, but when I had an ultrasound at 35 weeks

so they could see how he was positioned, the doc said there was enough in

there, but maybe he made a mistake. No one mentioned noticing any leakage

during exams after that. The ortho said he considered his clubfeet to be

moderate. I am wondering now if his clubfeet were more positional, even

though they couldn't be moved into a normal postion, because of the low

fluid. His feet were corrected in 3 casts, no tenotomy, and his feet look

great with good flexibility.

and

BCF 03/25/2004

DBB 23/7

Re: Help - possible premature baby

>

> Hello. I actually, joined this website back in June when we were

diagnosed

> with bilateral clubfoot. Aiden is currently 26 weeks and I'm in the

> hospital with ruptured memebranes (i.e., I'm losing amniotic fluid). So

> far, we're both doing well, have avoided infection and have had no

> contractions - we could be here for awhile. My due date isn't until Oct

> 23rd. Ironically, low fluid can actually be the cause of clubfeet in a

> fetus. Before I ruptured I had more than enough fluid and it was ruled

out.

> Maybe God was just preparing him! :-)

>

> Anyway, this has been my first chance to get back on-line was wondering if

> someone has been in a premature birth situation. How long would I have to

> wait before he get's treatment? I would think after he's stable but if

> it's a month or two is that two late? Are there bones still soft enough?

> The odds are good he'll come early. How soon did your friend start the

> casting?

>

> iditwagner iditwagner@...> wrote:

> Hello,

>

> Hello, my friends daughter decided to come out when she was 29 weeks

> in her mom's belly (-: they started the casting pretty soon after

> that and she is about to have the Tenotomy a week from today. - this

> is one week before her " original " due date.

>

> Her parents already know they might have problems with shoes size.-

> any ideas?

> Dose anyone no if it is safe to go through tenotomy at this point?

> Can it be too early for the ligaments?

>

> Thanks

>

> Idit, mom to Oshri, 10 month. BL ClubFoot, heavy DBB for 16/24

> hours.. http://truly_clubfoot.tripod.com - website in Hebrew. To see

> the photos click on the leftist link on the top frame.

>

July 21, 2004

,

I was also diagnosed with pre-eclampsia which got more serious from 28

weeks onwards. We were warned to expect a prem baby, but luckily we

hung in there and was only born 9 days earlier than due date in

very good health. We were all taken by surprise that he had bilateral

clubfoot. I'd had lots of scans because of the problems in the last 3

months or so of pregnancy, checking amniotic fluid, blood supply to the

cord, etc. His clubfoot also wasn't apparent when I had an extensive

scan and amniocentesis at 19 weeks to rule out birth defects (routine

here when you are pregnant over age of 35). My obstetrician checked the

amniotic fluid regularly and she said she couldn't understand it,

because it was never low and he didn't look cramped at all.

I'm inclined to think that maybe these things are all coincidental, not

necessarily causing congenital clubfoot, and the cause is more likely

genetic, especially as I have a first cousin with a clubfoot. I agree

that there's a possibility your son had positional clubfoot as they were

moderate. I would say 's were average, not moderate, but not

severe. They were corrected in 3 casts plus a tenotomy.

and

24th Jan 2003

www.clubfoot.co.za

Re: Help - possible premature baby

Good information for me though. : ) My son was born at 38 weeks 3 days

by

C-section due to high blood pressure and fear of pre-eclampsia. My OB

told

the neonatologist at the hospital that I had less amniotic fluid than

normal. The neonatologist thought that my son's BCF was caused more by

the

low fluid than genetically because his feet would have been wedged in

there

and not able to move like they would if I'd have had enough fluid. I'm

not

sure what happened with the fluid, but when I had an ultrasound at 35

weeks

so they could see how he was positioned, the doc said there was enough

in

there, but maybe he made a mistake. No one mentioned noticing any

leakage

during exams after that. The ortho said he considered his clubfeet to

be

moderate. I am wondering now if his clubfeet were more positional, even

though they couldn't be moved into a normal postion, because of the low

fluid. His feet were corrected in 3 casts, no tenotomy, and his feet

look

great with good flexibility.

and

BCF 03/25/2004

DBB 23/7

July 21, 2004

hello,

here is a letter we wrote to Dr. P. i hope it will help you.

good luck!

Subject: premature baby with CL

Dear Joyce Roller and Dr. Ponseti.

We are writing to you on behalf of good friends.

Yesterday, a beautiful premature baby girl was born to our friends.

She was born at week 29 and she is weighting 1350gm. The infant is

currently breathing without machine assistance. She has Clubfoot in

one foot.

We would like to ask:

1. When will it be ideal to start the casting?

2. Are there special instructions for future treatment, like the

timing of Tenotomy (considering that she is a premature baby)?

Wearing shoes?

With best regards,

Yours,

June 11, 2004

There is no rush to start the clubfoot treatment. The baby should

be allowed to gain weight and for the family to make certain she has

no other health problems. The skin of premature infants is very

tender and therefore cast application must be done very carefully to

avoid pressure sores. After the deformity is corrected by

manipulation and casting and it is time to apply the brace, often it

is hard to find shoes small enough for very tiny babies. The doctor

who is to treat her clubfoot will have a better idea of when to

start treatment, but even if he waits until what would have been her

full term delivery date to start, the result will not be jeopardized.

Please give the family my best regards and congratulations on the

birth of their daughter.

I.V. Ponseti, M.D.

July 21, 2004

hello,

here is a letter we wrote to Dr. P. i hope it will help you.

good luck!

Subject: premature baby with CL

Dear Joyce Roller and Dr. Ponseti.

We are writing to you on behalf of good friends.

Yesterday, a beautiful premature baby girl was born to our friends.

She was born at week 29 and she is weighting 1350gm. The infant is

currently breathing without machine assistance. She has Clubfoot in

one foot.

We would like to ask:

1. When will it be ideal to start the casting?

2. Are there special instructions for future treatment, like the

timing of Tenotomy (considering that she is a premature baby)?

Wearing shoes?

With best regards,

Yours,

June 11, 2004

There is no rush to start the clubfoot treatment. The baby should

be allowed to gain weight and for the family to make certain she has

no other health problems. The skin of premature infants is very

tender and therefore cast application must be done very carefully to

avoid pressure sores. After the deformity is corrected by

manipulation and casting and it is time to apply the brace, often it

is hard to find shoes small enough for very tiny babies. The doctor

who is to treat her clubfoot will have a better idea of when to

start treatment, but even if he waits until what would have been her

full term delivery date to start, the result will not be jeopardized.

Please give the family my best regards and congratulations on the

birth of their daughter.

I.V. Ponseti, M.D.

July 21, 2004

hello,

here is a letter we wrote to Dr. P. i hope it will help you.

good luck!

Subject: premature baby with CL

Dear Joyce Roller and Dr. Ponseti.

We are writing to you on behalf of good friends.

Yesterday, a beautiful premature baby girl was born to our friends.

She was born at week 29 and she is weighting 1350gm. The infant is

currently breathing without machine assistance. She has Clubfoot in

one foot.

We would like to ask:

1. When will it be ideal to start the casting?

2. Are there special instructions for future treatment, like the

timing of Tenotomy (considering that she is a premature baby)?

Wearing shoes?

With best regards,

Yours,

June 11, 2004

There is no rush to start the clubfoot treatment. The baby should

be allowed to gain weight and for the family to make certain she has

no other health problems. The skin of premature infants is very

tender and therefore cast application must be done very carefully to

avoid pressure sores. After the deformity is corrected by

manipulation and casting and it is time to apply the brace, often it

is hard to find shoes small enough for very tiny babies. The doctor

who is to treat her clubfoot will have a better idea of when to

start treatment, but even if he waits until what would have been her

full term delivery date to start, the result will not be jeopardized.

Please give the family my best regards and congratulations on the

birth of their daughter.

I.V. Ponseti, M.D.

July 21, 2004

Hi ,

There is no know cause for club foot, it just happens in approx 1/750 births.

They have found out that if you have a club foot, your chance of passing it on

to your child is about 5% greater than if you do not. It does not have anything

to do with Amniotic fluid, cramped conditions in the uterus or anything else.

They simply do not know what causes it. They do know that it occurs during

development around 8-10 weeks in pregnancy, and the tendons and ligaments in the

calf and foot are smaller than they are supposed to be. This causes the foot to

draw up and also is why the calf and ususally the foot will be smaller than

normal. There is some debate between doctors, but many believe there is no such

thing as positional clubfoot.

Once you get over the denial that your baby dosn't have perfect feet and all

their clothes need to have snaps for awhile, and the baby has to wear a brace on

her feet, it is okay. You also have to get used to people staring at you and

your baby. When Rose was tiny, I put her in footed jammies all the time so

people wouldn't see the cast. If they happened to see her cast, they stare or

ask questions. Once you get used to it, the last thing you want is other people

reminding you it is odd. The brace really isn't bad because people recognize it

as an orthopedic device and don't make as much fuss.

Anyway, best of luck with your pregnancy and just keep lying there and keep that

little guy in there as long as you can.

Robin & Rose

3/12/03

Right club foot.

Hundley jenhundley@...> wrote: