In today' s Episode our host Mon speaks with Gold Coast Mumma Caitlin Robertson on her unique journey into motherhood. Caity is a Mumma of little legend Hunter who at his 14 week scan was diagnosed with a cleft lip. Hunter then entered the world and it was discovered he was also born with a double cleft palate which meant Caity's breastfeeding journey was over before it even could begin.
Far from her envisioned first pregnancy Caity felt her whole world come crashing down. Caity opens up, although she had an incredible vaginal birth, she never experienced those overwhelming crying happy joyful photos we see on instagram and instead felt honest disappointed when the doctors confirmed Hunters palate was affected. Caity takes us on her honest and raw journey with little Hunter and shares with us her expressing journey, NICU experience, medical journey and some of the challenges that come with caring for a baby with a cleft lip or palate and the toll this can take on both you and your partner.
There were days where Caity felt like throwing in the towel and felt like her maternal instinct was failing her but Caity overcame these emotions and is now is so grateful for this experience and wouldn't change a thing, she truely believes Hunter has made her the woman she is today. Her little man Hunter has shown true resilience and determination and hasn't ever stopped smiling .
This week is Cleft awareness week, and in honour of this we are grateful to share with you the journey that both babies with a cleft and their family go through when diagnosed with either a cleft lip or cleft palate.
One in every 700 children is born with a cleft lip / palate. A cleft lip and cleft palate describe an abnormal gap in either the upper lip or the roof of the mouth (the palate). It occurs when some parts of the mouth fail to join together during early pregnancy. The lip and palate develop separately, which means it is possible for a baby to be born with only a cleft lip, only a cleft palate, or a combination of both. A cleft Lip & palate can affect the child's hearing, speech, teeth growth and feeding.