Keep Calm, It's Just a Cleft

I'm a mom of a cleftie. Jemma has a complete unilateral cleft lip with full unilateral cleft palate, as well as IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction). I made this to bring support and love to other cleft parents.

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My cleftie has arrived 7 weeks early! <3 She was born 3.7.19 due to complications in the pregnancy. Not only does the Diva have a cleft lip and palate, she’s also IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction). It’s different from being on the “small” side, it’s usually due to issues with the placenta (like hypertension... which I have). She’s one week old today, and still in NICU but is doing amazing. she was 2lbs13oz and 14in long at birth.

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Cleft Facts

Cleft lip and palate are the most common birth defects in the USA... about 1 of every 600 babies are born affected by cleft lip and/or palate.

A cleft lip is a separation of the two sides of the upper lip, and usually includes the bones of the upper jaw and sometimes gums. A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth, where it did not fuse together.

A unilateral cleft lip is on one side of the mouth, and bilateral is on both sides of the mouth.

A child can have either a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both.

There is no known cause of cleft lips and palates, but there are theories, such as genetic or environmental factors or medications the mother takes. A child born with a cleft lip and/or palate (or a craniofacial condition) require specialized healthcare from infancy to their teenage years. Source: https://cleftline.org/family-resources/introduction-to-cleft-craniofacial-conditions/

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