Hi everyone,
Just thought we would introduce ourselves. I am Lell and my partner is Rob and we found out at our 20 week scan that our baby has a bilateral cleft lip and palate. It was a shock to say the least, we have no history of this and therefore had no idea what to expect. Now we have had our 4D scan and seen cleft specialist it is all clearer and we can get back to being delighted we have a healthy boy due to arrive 3rd July (although he is big so am having 2 more growth scans.) I am sure we will be on here a lot when he arrives with bundles of questions, but just wanted to say hi and say how gorgeous the kids are in the gallery (before and after ops.) I know things may get a little scary at times for us and baby but reading the posts on here have shown us what a great source of support this site will probably be!

Lell and Rob.

Hi Lell & Rob,

Just though I’d say Hi back.  I found this website and forum very helpful and comforting.  It’s nice knowing you are not alone and advice is just round the corner.

My daughter was born with a cleft of the palate and she is coming up to 5 months now.  We didn’t know until she was born and like you had no family history of it.  It was a real shock and took sometime to get used to but we have our own little rountine going with my 3 yr old son also and everything is working out fine.

Do you have any other children?

Our cleft nurse has been fantastic and is always at the other end of the phone when we need her.  What part of the country are you from as I know tests etc differ depending where you live.

Let us know how things go.

Lot of love
Emma xxx

Thank you for replying Emma. My gosh, it must have been more of a shock for you not knowing until the birth. We count ourselves very lucky the sonographer picked it up, ever so clever. Rob has an 11 year old daughter and I have a six year old, both girls were at the scan when we found out which was distressing for them because we didn’t understand what it all meant. Now they know all about clefts they are fine. In fact I cant believe how many people we have told about our baby who know someone who has had it!! We are in Littlehampton, West Sussex, where are you?

Lell x

Hi,

We are up in Lancashire.  I know what you mean about other people knowing someone who has a cleft.  We didn’t know anything about it or anyone who knew someone with it.

It must have been hard for your other children to take in at the time.  My son is only 3 so doesn’t really understand.  We have just told him his sister has a hole in her mouth and will need to get it fixed by a doctor in the hospital.

I have got to start weaning Sophie this week so she has enough time to get to grips with it before her op.  Not looking forward to food coming down her nose but I just keep telling myself it wont be for long.

Are you on facebook?

Take care
Emma xx

Good luck with the weening, let me know how it goes! I am on facebook, my name is Lesley Jane White if you want to find me. My profile pic is of the scan x

Hi Lee and Rob

Congratulations on your pregnancy. My gorgeous baby boy Lucas was born on the 30th January 2010, with a unilateral left sided cleft lip and palate, and like yourselves there is no family history of this. I know the emotions you may be going through as it is still all very fresh in my memory, but wanted to reassure you that CLAPA have a fantastic support network, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.

My little man is soon to undergo his first operation, which I am dreading, not only the operation side of things but also I am so used to his beautiful face, it will be so strange seeing it alter.  Enjoy your pregnancy and if you every fancy a chat just contact me on here on on face book under Sarah Jane Dennis, my profile picture is of Lucas in the bath.

Love Sarah