[Stormster]

E's birthmom was on parole for about 8 months of the pregnancy. So she used more infrequently than she might have. She has a serious long term drug problem but as I said was fairly clean during the pregnancy.

Because she never really ate right her nutrition was pretty poor during the pregnancy but why I am really writing is that she smoked a lot during the pregnancy.

E's head is JUST about in the 5th percentile and out of proportion to the rest of his body. He also had low full term body weight. I wonder why more people don't discuss cigarettes as they do a lot of harm to our children?

Maybe I've missed some posts about this? Still I think we should talk about it more!

[shy_bear]

I think most people don't discuss cigarette use as much is there is not the long term damage as there is with alcohol. Yes I know you can have a premature baby from smoking, and there are risks with that. But there is so MUCH unknown with alcohol use. A's bmom was homeless and had no prenatal care. She told the hospital sw that she smoked marijuana and drank during the pg. She tested + for cocaine at delivery. A is in PT now will be starting OT soon. He seems ok, but we know there are a lot of ?'s about his future. For us we are going to get involved with a local FAS support group so we can educate ourselves more. Once he is adopted and on our ins. we are going to pursue more testing.

[Stormster]

Yes, I agree 100% but I meant to compare the two substances that E's birthmom exposed herself to. Crack Cocaine and Cigarettes. Turned out the cigarettes much more due to her parole.

E was not born prematurely. But his head circumference is small which can be a problem re: brain growth.

So I was really comparing cocaine and cigarette use. I did not mean to minimize FAS in any way.

[shy_bear]

Sorry, my fault I thought you were talking about alcohol

Baby A has a small head circumfrence, but he is in proportion with the rest of his body. He is in the 10th % across the board. He was 5lbs 15oz and only 18in at birth. Now at almost 6mths he is an even 15lbs.
How big was your baby at birth? Has the doctor expressed concern over his head? Is he meeting his milestones?

[Stormster]

6,6 full term 18 inches

head at birth 3.7

head now almost 5

weight and length around 40

milestones yes!!!!!!

i just pray his brain keeps growing as it has been dr. suggested early int just in case so we are

doc keeps saying as long as he follows the arc to 10%

sorry feeding him now

[Kat-L]

Originally Posted by Stormster

i just pray his brain keeps growing as it has been dr. suggested early int just in case so we are

I had a foster daughter, 4, with the tiniest head I'd ever seen. She was very skinny and on the small side to begin with. After I bathed her, I sat her down in front of me to comb her hair and touching her head just reinforced how tiny it was.

HOWEVER, she was one of the brightest 4 year olds I knew. She was very sharp. I don't know how her brain was managing to grow and develop in that tiny head-but it did.

[Stormster]

Thanks Kat

Yes he's very bright too and since I posted that his head size has moved up. He's fine and we have zero worries re: that now.

He looks perfect to me