A cleft lip can lead to extreme alterations of one’s life and can be difficult to cope with. If your newborn baby has a cleft lip or cleft palate, you will be bombarded with information from medical professionals across varying fields. These professionals will provide you with an abundance of helpful information, however, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. You need not panic as there are many other parents –like yourself—who are going through the same situation. Birth defects, such as cleft lip/palate are not uncommon, and with proper medical attention they can be repaired with no further harm.
A Key to Overcoming Birth Defects is Finding Support
There are countless support groups for parents, family members, loved ones, and perhaps most importantly, the patient. As helpful as the doctors can be, there may be a time when you would like to speak to someone who has gone through the same situation and gain their insight. An outside but similar perspective will provide enormous support and help you rationalize your thoughts. One of the larger support groups can be found online at DailyStrength.org This website has hundreds of members, all suffering from birth defects, such as a cleft lip or palate. Members even include family of those with birth defects. Furthermore, this website allows anonymous posts and questions, allowing candid, honest questions to be asked. If you would prefer face to face interaction, you can find support groups in your home town. These support groups will provide you with a personal feeling of security.
As your newborn grows older, he or she will have questions about their birth defect and the answers will be difficult to provide. These support groups will provide an opportunity for your child to seek companions who have endured the struggles of school, bullying, communication, and social settings. You may not always have the answers or be able to rationalize your child’s struggles, but a support group will ensure that you are not alone.
Topamax and Cleft Lip/Palate Are Linked
Topamax is an anti-epileptic drug used to treat epilepsy and migraines. Recently, the FDA issued a warning regarding the use of Topamax during pregnancy. It seems that the drug has the potential to cause the formation of lip or palate clefts when taking during gestation. The FDA advises that doctors should not prescribe the drug to pregnant patients unless there is no other viable treatment option available.
Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia
If your child was recently born with a birth defect that you believe can be attributed to your use of Topamax during pregnancy, it is possible that you have some questions. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.