1. I gave birth to my 3rd child, at full term 39 weeks and 1 day, completely natural no interventions, 7cm dilated when inreached the hospital, progressing normally , and in water birth setting. However this Pregnancy seemed harder than the other two due to some challanges ans my mother was admitted in hospital when I was 4 months pregnant, we had to leave to india in an emergency flight. I was also suffering with intense sciatica pain, right pelvic misalignment, so all the stress added up to my future pregnancy months. However, Alhamdulillah I gave birth with 7 hours labor to a healthy baby boy, little did I know that Allah has planned something different for us. My husband seemed concerned with something whereas I was content that everything went smoothely. I had mild postpartum haemorrage which was controlled by oxytocin later. The initial bonding period, breastfeeding went really well so I didnt even doubt a littly about anything for my baby Adam. He was a chubby little boy Alhamdulillah. My husband noted his facial features again and pointed that his right eye was not opening at all and left eye was ok. As a routine screening for newborn, the neonatologist said that he is a very healthy little baby except for the facial features we can follow up with him after a week to see of any changes. 1 week passed and we visited the neonatologist, where he examined Adam and suspected a probable muscle tension in the left side where the eye was not opening but he suggested to meet a neurosurgeon to be be sure of any other issues or rule out the muscle tension issue due to birth. After we visited the neurosurgeon he immediately diagnosed my son’s malformed head shape on the right side as anterior plagiocephaly or craniosynostosis what is called a premature closure of sutures in the baby’s skull which are usually open for babies. We were scared and worried about the outcome and treatment it may lead to as we opt for natural approaches holsitically managed. We waited and researched about craniosynostosis and started our search for treatment. Finally we came across the necessity for a CT scan that will conclude the findings of the suspected craniosynostosis. We had to visit the optometrist to rule out intra cranial pressure that can cause serious problems in his development, and Alhamdulillah that was fine.

After extensive research, we came across a craniofacial plastic surgeon Dr Vybha Deraje in baghalore previously practising in sakra world hospital, now shifted to aster whitefield hospital. We consulted him and finally decided to go via his treatment plan. It was a very big decision for us to make that my little Adam required a skull correction surgery, endoscopically done. The thoughts of him undergoing tests, anasthesia and the post surgery pains troubled me and my husband, we did isthikharah and consulted various other opinions before we made our final decision. And this was a decision to leave our second home country UAE and move to where my son will be treated in Bangalore.

We finally moved on the 19th of jan 2024. Coming to my mums hometown was pleasent yet I was missing my birthplace uae, trusting Allah’s plans for us that what He has put us through He will make a way out for us. The day before the surgery was tough, we got admitted with Adam the day before and planning the feeding, his recovery was mentally draining. I fed him through the night because he was not asked to feed 3 hours before the surgery. Surgery was scheduled at 8 30 am and i stopped feeding at 5 am. Post 5 am , he was drousy yet half awake and turned cranky nearing the 8am mark, I was so worried thst he may cry a lot, Alhamdulillah we managed to keep rocking him and distracting him keeping him the drowsy state till he was taken by the neuroanasthesiologist Dr Dheeraj who was very gentle towards my baby and assured that everything will go well and made sure that little Adam didnt cry much. When the time for surgery neared, and he was about to to be taken to the OT my husband was rocking him as I sat away knowing that if Adam is closer he would smell me near him and cry for a feed, I just kept making lots of dua. Dr dheeraj came and slowly playfully took Adam in his hands and left towards the OT. My husband seemed numb with emotions and pain and I could see him controlling his tears, I remained optimistic and prevented myself from crying because if I brokedown, then I would not be able to deal with the upcoming tasks, I had to pump atleast once to keep up my milk supply and I did just that. I also had built a small amount of previously pumped milk in the freezer.

The surgery took exactly 3 hours and by 11 am my son was transferred to the neuro ICU, he was out of the ventillator and was cryijg hysterically, I was immediately called to breastfeed him little by little soothing him. That was the hardest part for me to hear his gurgled cries, lethargic body, wanting milk yet coudnt feed much, crying in pain. I sat with him rocking and soothing him for the next 4 hours in the NICU and we got later transferred to the semi private ward where I could feed him with much ease and thats what happened Alhamdulillah. The day passed , Adam kept feeding constantly and having His bowel movement, he did have immense pain and once had to be given paracetamol to ease him and sleep atleast a little to rest his body. We stayed in the hospital for 1 night after surgery.The next day dr Vybhav visited and gave clearance for discharge as Adam had recovered really well. Alhamdulillah surgery was over and so was the toughest part of our challange. We are very thankfull to the full team of Dr Vybhav and how they made the process very smooth for both baby and parents.

I am writing this on 15th feb 2024 where my son is now due for a helmet therapy and is a upcoming challange but i hope tonremain optimistic in trust of Allah that He will pull us through this as well. I hope to continue my experience of the helmet therapy when it starts inshAllah. Till then mas salaama.

My  intention is to create awareness for this field of concern so that I can help mothers recognise breastfeeding issus due to head shape, breastfeeding difficulties and breastfeeding during situations of crisis inshAllah