Ivy's Cleft Lip and Palate

Ivy was born with a Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate (UCLP). This was not detected at my 18 week ultrasound so it was a big surprise at her birth. I have done a lot of research and we are also hooked up with our "Cleft Team" at Doernbecher. Here is what we have learned about Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP). CLP occurs early in the womb. When the face of a fetus is forming it has five parts that need to come together like a puzzle. When two of these pieces don't come together it is called a cleft. Some children have one cleft, like Ivy, and some children have two clefts. The cause of cleft is mostly unknown. It is the most common facial birth defect and happens in approximately one in 750 births.
Ivy will undergo 4-6 surgeries by the time she is 20 years old. Her first surgery will be when she is anywhere from 3-5 months old. This surgery will repair her lip as well as work on her gumline. In preparation for this surgery, Ivy will be getting a Nasoalveolar Molding device also known as a NAM. The NAM is a mouth piece that will slowly work on closing the gap of Ivy's palate and lip. It will be placed in her mouth and then be held in place by tape. It has to be in her mouth 24 hours a day. We will take it out once a day to clean it. Every week we will go in and have it adjusted. It will stay in until her first surgery.
Ivy will be getting her NAM on Monday and she will then have to relearn how to eat with the device in place. It is going to take a while for us all to get used to it but I am certain within a few days it will be no big deal.

Little Miss Ivy

Sweet Ivy Amelia Newell joined our family on Saturday June 19th just before noon. She was born at my parents' house. I haven't taken the time to write up her birth story yet but I will post it when I do. She is an amazing sweet girl and she has brought so much to our lives! We love her so much! Chris is an amazing "hands on" daddy. He and Ivy spend a lot of time bouncing around the house and outside in the backyard and no one has gotten Ivy to smile like her daddy has. Lillian just loves her baby sister! She enjoys holding her and always has to kiss her goodnight. And as for me...I adore every single thing about her from the top of her perfect little head to the tips of her tiny toes. I love watching her grow and change from day to day and week to week.

She is only six weeks old but she has already brought so much to our lives. Oh and I almost forgot about Murphy! He too loves Ivy. He runs to her when she cries and looks at us to make sure we are doing something for her. He likes to cuddle with whoever is holding her in the comfy recliner. He is working really hard at not barking at people when they come to the door because that wakes her up.