We didn't know she had club foot untill she was born on the day of the 13th July 2004 at 2.30pm by cesearen section. When the nurse layed her on the pediatrican table that is when my husband picked it up and said "there is something wrong with her foot".

It is her right foot. I tried to look but at first i didn't see. When  i did it was so emotional my first thought was " what has happened? what have i done to her?" My doctor said that it is club foot and very much fixable these days. Nothing much to worry about.

That didn't help me as i know my husband was upset & was in shock.

My husband left to meet me back in my room as the baby was taken to get cleaned up. Some photos were taken but soon afer my husband and my older two sons left to go back home.

Once we had left the hospital seven days later, we had an appointment with an orthopeadic surgeon within a few days. We began plasters which had to be replaced each week for those first three months. My orthopeadic surgeon then referred us onto Dr Patell at the Clayton Medical Centre which is over and 1 half away. Once we began with him we had another 2.5 months of plasters before she had her achilles tendon cut.

The day of the op i was so nervous and i was scared for her. Even though we had been told it all will be fine. I met a couple of mums and dads at Clayton during our time of plasters which was really nice. I just wish that my husband was able to join us for the appointments but our family buisness didn't allow him the time.

The day of the operation my husband and I made how way to Clayton, it was a long day. All did go okay with the op but Dr Patell told us that her achilles tendon was so tight that she may need further plasters. He put it sown to that she was nearly 6 months before she had this op where as many of his babies are barely 3 months old.

   Petria woke from the op in a very hungry state, she fed for what seemed like ages. I am still breast feeding her even though i feel very tired much of the time and quite drained. It is worth it though.

Two weeks after the op Petria was fitted and given her DDB for a trial perod of a month then we may need to go back into plaster depending on the results so far. However from what i have observed her foot looks quite good. I am so pleased that it has improved so much since the day she was born.

 

   I tried to find out what causes this as i was feeling so much guilt about this. But i have been assured by Dr Patell that it is nothing that had done it could be many variables. I have many of those considering i was near 40 and i had a Amnio not to mention a minor car accident at 35 weeks.

I also have had two cousins back 30 years ago that had club foot but no one else since.

 

 

well i hope this  helps thanks, Maria.