I'm also new, and also confused (LONG, sorry!)

[Guest guest]

I joined up a few days ago and just now getting a chance to say hello and introduce myself and my son.

I'm Lee Ann, SAHM to Ethan (4/21/95) and (10/02/01). Married to since 1994 and we live in Denton, TX...suburb of Dallas.

has always preferred to sleep in his car seat, and since Ethan was the same way and never had any problems with it, we allowed it. Looking back now, he has always seemed to favor the right back side of his head.

He was posterior at the onset of labor and stayed that way until 20 minutes before he was born. I started pushing at 11pm and he wasnt born until 2:15am! The midwife had me trying all sorts of different positions to get him to turn and it finally worked. Once he did turn, it was only a matter of minutes until he was FINALLY here.

Anyway, the only reason I mention all that is because I've wondered if him being posterior for all of labor and most of the pushing stage could have had any effect on his head and/or neck (possibly causing torticollis?) and be contributing to his plagio. We dont have an official diagnosis, but I am sure that is what it is...he has all the signs: ears are not aligned with each other, one eye appears bigger, he has a bulgy forehead, and there are "ridges" near his temples. And, of course, the lovely flat spot on the back right side of his head...that is a dead give-away, ya know? The diagnosis being used for the referral is "754.0 ~ Musculoskeletal deformities skull, face, or jaw".

I noticed it and mentioned it to his ped at his 2 month check up. She looked, and asked about his sleeping position habits. We told her and she suggested re-positioning, but didnt make it seem like it was a huge deal. At 4 months, I pointed it out again and we were told to be more agressive with the re-positioning. She also examined his fontanel at this time and found it to be on the large side (is this associated with plagio?). This was of concern to her, along with the flat spot, so she ordered a referral to a specialist.

After a long and frustrating mix-up/problem with our insurance company, I call to get the appointment for with a Dr. Jeffery Hopkins (anyone in DFW area know of this doc? would he be worth the wait?), only to be told that he cant be seen until late May. I had done some reading by this time and knew that "time of of the essence" with this issue and I dont want it to wait that long. So the insurance lady at the ped's office told me to find a doc in my insurance book, call and see if they can see Grif and let her know and she will arrange for the referral.

So now I am basically stuck with finding a doc myself for Grif's plagio. Any suggestions, anyone? I have a call in to a Dr. Genecov's office, have spoken to Drs. Byrd and Hobar's office and told the 1st appointment available is 3/25. I have other names to call, but is it ok to let this wait this long? Will it be this hard to get him into see ANY good doc for plagio? I've checked out the doctors listed at plagio.org and cranialtech.com and that is where I am getting these names. The others I have to call are: Dr. Day, Dr. Donahue, Dr. Salyer, Dr. Fearon, Dr. Shapiro, Dr. Hopkins

We are being VERY agressive with his positioning, and we THINK we can see some changes, but we're not sure. It could just be wishful thinking, ya know?

I'm a little overwhelmed by all this, never having had anything seriously wrong with my children up until now. And overwhelmed by having to find a specialist for him all on my own. Its confusing since some of the specialist are plastic surgeons, some neurosurgeons. Is one better than the other in regards to plagio?

Paige ~ I read your intro post yesterday and that is what really motivated me to write in myself. Can you tell me what doc you saw so I can avoid him? ;-) What area of Dallas do you live in?

Well, I guess that is about it for me and ....it ought to be...this is a book for goodness sake LOL! Glad to be here and in the company of so many nice people who are well aware of how I am feeling now.

Lee Ann

Mom to ~ 10/02/01

DFW area ~ Denton