Bun in the Oven? 5 Things Every First-Time Parent Should Know

You are expecting your first baby boy or girl and probably feel a little nervous. That is okay because there are a lot of parents out there just as nervous as you are. Delivery fears are one reason to be nervous, but there are a few common conditions first-time parents should know about.

Cleft Palate

The cleft palate or cleft lip is a defect that affects several babies around the world. It is an issue that usually develops between the sixth to 10th week of pregnancy. Surgery is usually necessary as it prevents feeding complications though some children with this issue develop speech issues that need to be addressed.

Club Foot

Clubfoot is another common deformity that affects newborns. This means that the baby’s foot is in an awkward position with varying degrees of severity. It usually happens because the baby’s tendons are shorter than expected. An ultrasound can be used to detect the issue before birth. Manipulation and casting is usually used to deal with the issue.

Prominent Birthmarks

Birthmarks can be small or excessive. Small deformities on the skin can be ignored, but large ones cannot. These skin deformities are common, meaning that you can have them taken care of easily at a place like Shriners Hospitals for Children Cincinnati or a similar facility. Taking care of these types of birthmarks usually involve destroying the deformed skin cells, which is done using scalpel surgery or lasers.

Birth Injuries

Birth is a painful experience for you and your baby. The procedure can even injure a newborn. One of the most common injuries is a broken collarbone, which is normally treated by keeping the arm motionless for some time with the help of your doctor. The baby’s body is prepared to deal with minor injuries and quickly heals. Be sure to consider the possibility that the injury could have been avoided because some injuries are the result of a mistake during delivery.

Blue Baby

Newborns can develop a slight blue hue in their hands and feet when cold. The baby should return to a regular hue once warm. Babies can also have this hue when they cry too much. The problem is some newborns have hearts and lungs that are not functioning properly, which could lead to a persistent blueish hue. This issue is not always discovered after giving birth and can be dangerous, so see your doctor should you notice signs.

Hopefully, none of these issues affect your child, and you just give birth to a healthy baby, but it does not hurt to be cautious. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your concerns or anything else you want to know about the little bundle of joy in your womb.

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