Ellie's Hip

At her birth, the pediatrician discovered that Ellie had a displaced right hip. We had an Orthopedic Specialist from the Children's Hospital visit us while Ellie was still in the NICU - he said that it would be a 3-6 month process and that she would grow out of it. What he explained was that the socket that the hip sits in did not grow properly in the womb, so she needed to be placed in a harness to allow the hips to sit at the proper angle so this growth could take place.

During our first week at home, we had an appointment at the Children's and Ellie was dressed in her harness. We were told this harness would be on for a month, we would go back for weekly check-ups during this month, and at the end of the month her progress would be evaluated and the next step would be implemented. It was difficult to watch her go into this harness, but it doesn't phase her one bit.

Our Week #1 visit revealed that Ellie's hip had stabilized and the doctor couldn't pop it out - great news! He also said we did not need to go back until her ultrasound, which was great - we had a free week with no doctor's appointments!!

Ellie's ultrasound is on Monday (the 6th), so we will have a better idea of how her hip is progressing. We have lots of people praying for us and family and church friends have been great supporters to Mark and I through this.

I had to make a trip up to the Children's yesterday to see our nurse - Ellie has been growing so her harness had to be lengthened - very exciting to see!! At 3 weeks of age, she is now 5 lbs and 2 oz and has graduated from Preemie-sized diapers into Newborn-sized diapers - it's great to see her growing and plumping up.