H. - preemie info - Fwd: An answer from Ponseti about when to cast premature baby

[Guest guest]

Idit sent this a few weeks back - from Dr. P himself :~} See below.

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- Keep that babe in as long as you can! Every day makes a

difference (I'm sure you've been told many times by now). My second was

born at 33w6d and while he hasn't had any problems and is about as healthy

as can be we still spent 12 agonizing days in the NICU fighting off the

docs and nurses who wanted to do things to him like give pacifiers and

bottles of formula. The only saving grace was that I was there all day

long making sure things went how I wanted them to (had to put a sign on his

isolette saying he was nursing and not to give any artificial

nipples). They finally got it and I made nice friends there after they

realized I was actually doing what I said I was going to do (nurse him all

day vs just showing up for a couple of hours a day) but I still don't

recommend it. However... with all that said, it's nice to know there's a

place where people will give your preemie the best care possible should he

need it. If you can make it another 7 weeks you should be able to take him

home right away though :~}

Also, I'm sure you've researched it but you may be able to rebuild some of

your amniotic fluid. Drink lots of water - of course if you're going to

make amniotic fluid you must have lots of water lol, and think good

thoughts. I know it's a crap shoot as to whether or not this will happen

for you, but it is possible to give Aiden some nice fluid to float around

in again, might as well think positive :~} It's more productive than

thinking negatively (or so I've heard lol). Taking care of yourself is

easy to do now that you're in the hospital so relax and think about your

sweet babe and imagine him with lots and lots of fluid to swim in. Can't

hurt.

Hang in there, and post away - you've got plenty of time for it

now! (don't forget to scroll down for the info Idit sent)

Kori

Mama of

Kenton - 6/98

Merek - 3/00

Darbi - 3/28/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/d

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>Dear parents and paretnts to be.

>I attach her a letter we got from Dr. Ponseti about the timing of

>starting treatment in premature babies. I hope this info will help

>someone in the future…

>

>Unfortunately I don't have much time to surf the web lately and

>comment about some posts.

>Best to you all

>

>Idit, mom to Oshri, 9 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.

>

>

>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.

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