Parenting challenges while caring for a child with birth defects

 

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The first thing every parent wants to ensure when their baby is born is whether or not they are healthy. But, unfortunately, when you hear the words your child has a congenital disability, you will fall into an unknown world of frustration and sadness.

In fact, even when your child is born, the process of giving birth to your child will come with a complicated and unique set of emotions, ranging from confusion to shame to anger to guilt. Most parents will often feel ashamed of these emotions and will do everything in their power to suppress them. However, it would be best if you remember that these feelings are expected and typical. 

Birth injuries can happen to anyone during the delivery process. However, instead of thinking of your child's birth injuries as a defect, try to think otherwise. After all, you have to love your child no matter what.

That said, caring for a child with congenital abnormalities is hard work. It involves a lot of careful planning and comes with preventable challenges as your child grows up. So, without further ado, let us take a look at some of these challenges.

 

 

You'll have to adjust your child's healthcare accordingly. 

A child with congenital disabilities will usually have unique healthcare requirements and needs. For example, a kid with congenital heart disease will often result in swelling in the legs, rapid breathing, and a fast heartbeat.

Or a child who has cerebral palsy will have to undergo rigorous physical and speech therapy depending on the types of CP they have. So, Parents will have to adjust their child's healthcare needs accordingly to manage the symptoms.

Sometimes, it takes a toll physically and emotionally on the child and the parents themselves when they constantly monitor their children. 

Struggles with the financial aspect of their child's care

Treatment costs can be astronomical for a child suffering from congenital disabilities, even if their parents have health insurance. The prices of doctor's appointments and medicines will quickly add up to a significant amount. Moreover, many children with congenital disabilities will end up going on long-term medication cycles where they will have to take several pills every day. 

In the end, these medications will cost the parents an arm and a leg in the long run. However, such a thing will be necessary to ensure that their child functions properly and lives to grow up. That said, you can always sign up for a medical insurance plan that gives your child coverage.

However, it is easier said than done because insurance providers will hesitate to help if your child has a congenital disability. So, do some research and find an insurance company that does.

Sending your child to school

Often, sending a child that has congenital disabilities to school will pose lots of unexpected challenges. For instance, if your child has down syndrome, they might be subjected to bullying and harassment in school. 

You'll be primarily concerned about your child's health when they are away from you and among other children. However, to prevent this from happening, it would be best to educate the school management about your child's condition to take special care when it comes to your child.

Moreover, you can educate the staff on your child's issue to take a different approach to help them learn and function as a part of society. 

You'll have to live with uncertainty all the time

Even your child doesn't need further medical treatment or procedures; you will have to visit the doctor now and then. And doing so will dig up old, bad memories related to your child's condition along with new fears that might always keep you on edge.

Moreover, as your child grows older, you will feel worried about the inherent risk of your child's congenital disabilities that may or may not affect their long-term health. After all, being the parent of such a child is a lifelong journey, and support from your friends and family members will play a vital role in guiding you to the right path.

So, go ahead and don't be afraid to ask for help when times get tough. 

Learning more about your child's condition than you want

While learning more about their child's condition will benefit the parents and allow them to gain a much-needed understanding of the congenital disability the child has. However, sometimes it might scare them when they read the issues their child's congenital disabilities can lead to. 

However, it doesn't mean that you don't try to learn more about the issue. On the contrary, by acquiring more knowledge about the condition, you will tackle your child's symptoms better and ensure they receive the best medical treatment that money can buy. 

Conclusion. 

Living with a child diagnosed with a congenital disability might be stressful, overwhelming, and tragic in most cases. However, some parents recognize there is a silver lining in having a child with genetic abnormalities.

Moreover, most parents will change their outlook on life and adjust their priorities accordingly.  Siblings will show more affection to the child with a congenital disability and will instill a greater sense of love and appreciation for life within themselves

Furthermore, they will also start to appreciate the little things in life and promote joy amongst their children.