HELP! My Dgt Has to Has DDH and Now Will Need a Spica Cast!!

Hi L.!

I have been in your shoes. My oldest daughter had a dislocated hip - but we didn't find out until she was 15 months old. We had to actually go through surgery to fix it. My 2nd daughter had shallow hips and had to have a closed reduction to try to help out her situation.

When this happened to us, it was a few years ago and I couldn't find any information out there at all about the same things you are asking about. So, to help others out, I actually created a tip sheet. I have since switched computers, but I can see if I can find it for you. If you want to privately send me your email, I will email it to you.

Where are you having your the procedure done? Our oldest had to have a repeat of her surgery last summer. Each one of our experiences - 3 in all - have been different. I am a planner by nature - so it was hard for me to be so flexible, but you kind of have to be.

I have a lot of suggestions, tips, etc. for you, but it would probably be easier to email you directly.

The one thing that my husband and I have tried to remember through our experience is that it is fixable. Having our daughter treated the 1st time at the Univ. of Michigan (we were living there then), was an eye opener. We were upset, couldn't believe she was going through this, stressed (I was pregnant), but when she was recovering in a room with a terminally ill little boy. It hit us like a brick that we were VERY lucky. It was fixable. That was our perspective. We have been through another surgery with her and one with our other daughter - so we know all of the emotions, fears, and anxieties you are feeling. Just know that you are not alone.

I look forward to sharing experiences with you.
K. O

hi-
here is information on hip spica cast care, safety, nutrition, play, etc. from cincinnati children’s hospital
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/orthopaedi...

I would talk to the children's hospital that will be performing the surgery. I know Cincinnati Children’s has a car seat person that will lend out the appropriate car seat for kids that have hip spica casts (may be a car seat or a car bed).

Good luck!
Aurora

hi there L.. first of all i don't have any advice for this day and age. i am a 29yo working mother of two beautiful children who suffered from a dislocated hip at birth. i went through all the same stuff as a infant that your daughter is, of course i don't remember it...but my parents tell me lots of stories. as far as car seats go, they do make special car seats just for the spica casts...my parents just laid me on the floor board (i lived). as far as feeding, my parents fed me on the floor (i lived). she will learn how to get around and play on her own...i did, my parents say the cast and braces never held me down. i was a shaker and mover!! I am not sure about sleeping, but remember back to sleep for sids prevention. my parents have lots of pictures of me without a diaper, so again i have no suggestions there either!!! mom just said it was a pain in the butt keeping a diaper on me, because i always took them off (i lived).
you should know that i have been a very active person my whole life...playing every sport and excelling in them all!!! i had no problems getting pregnant (lots of xrays when i was little, and one a year until i was 15) and i had no difficulties with childbirth...my son was 7 lbs 13 oz. vaginal delivery, and my daughter was 10 lbs 4 oz. vaginal delivery. and i only pushed for about 15 minutes with both!!! i do have back problems, but i am a bit overweight right now, and have large breasts (breastfeeding does not help...my daughter is only 2 1/2 months old). if you have any more questions please don't hesitate to ask!! good luck with everything!!

I have no clue! I do know of a great cloth diapering website though. The moms on there are extremely knowledgable and may be able to answer your question about the diapers. The website is http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/ If any one would know the answer, they would! Prayers for you and your family.