I know that each of us has a different and unique story with our babies, this is why I want to share them all.
I want to start this blog by sharing my own personal story, hoping that if you can relate in any way, you find it helpful.
Here goes!
Let's start with my pregnancy.
I always imagined having a magical pregnancy, where I would go for long walks, take beautiful photos, exercise and eat healthy, but sometimes life surprises you and throws you a curve ball that send you into bed rest from day one.
Hyperemesis gravidarum they told me. To summarize: it means you feel awful in all times, you vomit any and everything and can't stand any aroma or the smell of food for the entire 9 months.
Overall, I was calm knowing that my baby was healthy despite my discomfort. Besides, all that was left for me to do was grit and bear, the only consolation that was my baby was fine.
Noelia was born at exactly 38 weeks by C-section (by choice).
It was October 28, 2019, 8:10 a.m. in Ecuador. She was the perfect height and weight. Soft locks of black hair, almond eyes, perfect from head to toe.
I was in the clinic for 3 days, I went home with my husband to start my new life as a mom, recover from the c-section and get my hormones in order.
I remember the first time I noticed Noe's hemangioma. It was when my husband bathed her for the first time, that is, it appeared during her first week of life. It was just a little red dot on her back, very red, like a strawberry.
I asked if she had it when she was born because I didn't know if it was a kind of allergy, which was really what it appeared to be. I had never heard the word hemangioma in my life so I would have never suspected what it could be.
We ended up going to the pediatrician when Noe was 9 days old, because she had a slight allergy and as a new mom, I rushed to ask what was wrong with my baby. It was then that my doctor told me "this is a hemangioma, it is nothing to worry about, it will go away over time. But yes, before it starts to go away, it will grow."
And that's how my search for information regarding my daughter's birthmark began.
Noelia has a mixed hemangioma on her back, which means it grows low on the skin. Here is a photo that explains it better in case you do not know how to differentiate the types of infantile hemangiomas 👇🏼
When Noe was about 4 weeks old, another hemangioma started to appear on her right ear.
At first, both hemangiomas were flat. The one on the ear was much paler than the one on the back, which had this bright red color, but with time it took on the same color.
When Noe turned 3 months old, the hemangiomas were quite noticeable. It was like a little strawberry on Noe's skin. The truth is, they looked more like superficial than mixed hemangiomas, since the red mark grew on a smooth skin surface.
*Hemangioma at 3 months.
With each passing month, the hemangiomas changed from bright red to burgundy.
The one on the ear no longer looks like just a red mark on the skin. It began to grow on it, changing the shape of the ear.
*8 y 9 months.
And the one on her back began to grow and expand on the surface.
*7 y 9 months.
In Noe's case, we have decided not to carry out any treatment to begin the involution of her hemangiomas since they are not harming her health in any way and we know that it will disappear over time.
As a mom, I am in love with my daughter's birthmark. It is as unique as she is.
Yes we have had to go through questions and comments regarding her hemangiomas. Nothing malicious (I think) but it can be uncomfortable.
Perhaps that has been one of the reasons for starting this community. So that together we can make more people know what hemangiomas are about.
Thank you for reading. I hope that if you have a strawberry baby, this article has brought you useful information and reminded you that you are not alone ❤️
If you like to share your story, do not hesitate to write to hemangiomamomma@gmail.com. We'd love to see some pictures of you and your baby.
Hoping to hear from you.
- Diana.
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