Additional Needs

A Parent’s Intuition

Posted by Rebecca Jeapes on 31st January 2019 Additional Needs, Advice & Support, Disabilities

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As a new parent to twin babies I felt overwhelmed, lacking confidence and second guessed every decision I made.

But despite all of that, I felt a mother’s intuition, I knew that something was wrong with one of my babies.

As time went on the intuition alarm that rings in your mind, fills your tummy with dread and body with unease grew.

Medical professionals put it down to a new mother finding her feet and wrongly diagnosed Dystonia and Seizures as silent reflux.

Yet I persisted.

I spoke to anyone who would listen and kept asking questions of those that should have the answers.

Finally after all reflux medications had made no difference and I approached my GP to discuss concerns about developmental delays, they started to take an interest.

It was years still until we made real headway in terms of diagnosis but along the way my mothers intuition has never failed me.

Spending so much time with my child gave me an impeccable knowledge of what was “normal”.

Anything outside of that was noticed immediately.

Sometimes this has meant that I have been on heightened alert for an impending seizure or illness.

Other times, that she is in pain but unable to tell me verbally.

Medical professionals now include me in decisions about care plans because I’m my child’s expert.

Always trust your instincts, as a parent you know your child better than anyone else on this planet.

Even more so when your child has complex medical needs, fight hard and never give up.