cleftpalate

Hearing your child might have a cleft lip or palate can be quite scary.  It is diagnosed around the 13-20th week of a woman's pregnancy, and can require some big decisions for parents about surgeries and care.  On this episode you'll hear one mom's experience of learning that her baby girl was going to be born with what she calls a "cutie mark."  She shares her journey, and some amazing tips and resources.  And if it is someone you care about that is going through the same thing, she offers insight on how you can support them.   

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMED MOM PODCAST DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE No material from our hosts or guests is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.  We strive to provide you with education and information so that you can then go to your own provider and get an individualized approach to your medical needs and questions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new healthcare regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this podcast. 

Austin Smiles is an organization that was founded by Plastic Surgeons in Austin Texas to help children in Texas and around the world that were born with facial deformities.  Austin Smiles has organized multiple mission trips every year to treat cleft lip and palates.  In addition, they provide resources to local children and families with cleft lip and palates to help support them during the process.  We are fortunate to have the Executive Director Renee Malone-Hanson join us to walk us through this incredible foundation!

Dr. Danelle Fisher is Vice President of Pediatrics and Medical Co-director of the Cleft Palate team at Providence St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, CA. Dr. Fisher is also a wife and mother to a young son. In this episode, Dr. Fisher and Dr. Bob discuss their love for the field of pediatrics, what led Dr. Fisher to choose the speciality, her work as a doctor on the cleft palate team and balancing her busy profession with being a mom. There are so many wonderful take aways from this conversation, which will leave you with a warm smile and an even greater appreciation for pediatricians.

When Carla found out her baby was going to be born with a cleft palate, and her immediate life outside the womb filled with surgeries and hospitals, she knew she wanted to give her child the most peaceful birth experience possible.

Sometimes it’s not the birth itself that’s traumatic, but the intensity of the postpartum time.

We also talk about cultural beliefs in the Dominican Republic (where she is from) around birth, and how the experience of being sexually harassed as a child came up for her during the birth process.

Follow Carla @motherly.goddess

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