MSE Parents Club Part 5

money_maker_3

elle_gee wrote: »

Did they give you a list of things to look out for? Ask what he should be doing and what the next thing to look out for is? Sorry, you probably know those already - mine was from a "clueless new mum" POV!

Did they just think what happened may affect this movement or could it have an effect on anything else?

My questions related to medication, dosages and time frames, so I'm not much use! :rolleyes: Would check my list for you but I'm being used as a pillow by Rhys right now and I don't want to risk waking him up

movement mainly, but really as there was such a lack of oxygen, it could have affected anything We think there may be a problem with his neck mussel on his right side as he wont turn that way, and also his hearing, but then Jasmine had glue ear for most of her first 4 years, so high chance Dylan has the same. Need to ask about his eyes, as he goes cross eyed a bit too much, and he also flays his arms around constantly - I mean he never stops moving them, almost uncontrolably :eek:

I am probably reading too much into all of these, but he is a VERY different baby fro Jasmine in so many ways, so I cant compare him to her development, and my nephew who is a year old was just a sleepy baby who only woke to eat and never punched out much at all :rolleyes:

We have been told this first appt is mainly to talk to us more than to look at Dylan as there isnt much you can tell at his age, but they will do a few reflex and muscle tone checks with him when he is there.

elle_gee

You kinda want there to be a series of vids on YouTube or somewhere of "What a normal baby does" so you could compare.. I know I do!

Ask about physio as well as baby massage. We had a physiotherapist and a neurologist (sp?) do reflex checks on Rhys just before we left hospital - just tapping him, lifting his limbs and dropping them, bending his joints etc.

money_maker_3

yeah, videos would be handy !!

Have been told there is a very long waiting list for a physio, and if he needs one it would be quicker to pay private !! Well we will see about that, but I suppose it depends if his tone has improved from the last check.

Can you tell I am getting nervous about this appt ???? Wait till you hear me on Wed morning before I go !!

elle_gee

money_maker wrote: »

yeah, videos would be handy !!

Have been told there is a very long waiting list for a physio, and if he needs one it would be quicker to pay private !! Well we will see about that, but I suppose it depends if his tone has improved from the last check.

Can you tell I am getting nervous about this appt ???? Wait till you hear me on Wed morning before I go !!

Don't suppose you have any medical cover through your work that would pay for the physio? OH and I have a cashback healthcare plan from work which covers children too. Easy to forget these things when you need them - I've only just thought to add Rhys' details to my policy

What else have you got on your list? (don't answer if you don't want to, of course ) I'll have a think on what else we've asked along the way..

What causes cross-eyed-ness? Is it a muscle thing? We know Rhys had ROP (retinopathy of prematurity, I think) which is damage to his retinas caused by the amount of oxygen therapy (ventilator and CPAP) he had, but I think the damage can only occur when the retinas are not formed completely which is up to 32 weeks.

Krystaltips

It's quite common for babies to go cross eyed... I can remember asking about Aimee at her 8 week check because she was always cross eyed and the HV said they don't worry about it until they are a lot older and have better control of their muscles...

elle_gee

Oh, I didn't know this one..

Tonic Neck Reflexes
birth - 4 months
These reflexes happen only about 50% of the time that the baby is in that position.
*When a baby is lying down and the head is turned to one side, the arm on that side stretches out, and the other arm bends upwards.

This that!

money_maker_3

flayling arms
clenched fists
right hand side of neck
baby toe curled in
the middle bit of his nosegot bent when the CPAP was in, as it was too tight, and I was told it would correct itself after a while, but it is still bent
doesnt turn or react to sounds unless they are right beside him
cross eyes ( the muscle at the side can be too tight - my sister had to get her eyeball taken out and turned !!)
complete refusal for tummy time

Thats about it ..... the only one the HV mentioned was his right hand side of his neck, as he really doesnt use it enough, he does turn his head both ways, just not as much on that side. It could be nothing, but she said to bring that one up.

elle_gee

Oh, I didn't know this one..

Tonic Neck Reflexes
birth - 4 months
These reflexes happen only about 50% of the time that the baby is in that position.
*When a baby is lying down and the head is turned to one side, the arm on that side stretches out, and the other arm bends upwards.

Ahhh, so that's what he's doing! Here and here.. :rolleyes: I really should read up more..

Sami_Bee

Just spying on u with iPod
mmChris always went cross eyed when he had wind, it's quite common apparently so it could be the same with Dylan??
My sis does private physio, she charges something like £45 for the first assesment visit and £30 for the visits after that. Just in case you look into it for future she does home visits for free but some physios that have offices will charge extra for home visits if you wanted one xx

money_maker_3

Thanks sami, yeah I did look into the prices, it will be £30 per session, but if he is diagnosed with something then he would be put to the top of the list. I would rather it didnt come tot hat though, I want them to tell me I am being neurotic about everything and that he is perfect in every way and then we wont have to worry about anything, but I have a horrible feeling it wont be that