My daughter was born with an extra thumb

12 Comments

In labour with my daughter and she came out naturally within a few hours – complete opposite of her big brother that took 22 hours before emergency caserean. They said congrats your baby girl looks healthy and well. I had a cuddle she was so gorgeous. Then they took her over to the table to clean her up and the nurse had another look at her hand and noticed she had an extra little thumb on her right hand. When we went for our initial checkup with the doctor he said she could move it, it had all the joints and so not to worry about it as yet. 6 months went on and both thumbs began to grow and I began to become concerned about how her second thumb was curling into the main one she used. I was referred to a specialist at the Childrens Hospital. He couldn’t operate for another 6 months but he assured us that it should be fine and when he removed it was hopeful she would have full use of it. At 16 months we got her hospital booking paperwork. We took her down and she was whisked in for reconstructive surgery. It was the longest 4 hours of our life just waiting for her to come out. The specialist had to remove ligaments from both thumbs to make one thumb. It looked plump and had a huge scar down it. 8 weeks after surgery we went back down to the hospital for her post-op check up. The specialist was very happy with how she was moving her thumb. We were told her thumb would always look a bit different but was working as it should. Her scar down her thumb is a reminder of the extra little piece she used to have. We may have to re-operate on her thumb as she gets older as she grows but for now she is a healthy little girl and that’s all that matters.

Posted anonymously, 31st July 2014

12 Comments

- - BellaB said
  - 05 Jun 2016
    3:03 pm
Even something “minor” like that can be very scary.

- - june11 said
  - 28 Mar 2016
    3:27 pm
I’m glad the surgery was successful and your little girl is ok. They probably waited awhile until she could understand how to move and wriggle her fingers.
I am suprised why they waited so long otherwise unless it was because they didn’t want to risk her being under aenasthetic for too long. I heard of a baby boy who had an extra toe in amongst his “middle” toes. I can’t remember how old he was when they removed it but it was pushing his toes against it out of shape.ll Your little daughter should have full use of her hand which is a blessing.

- - mom94125 said
  - 05 Mar 2015
    7:13 pm
yeah that is great that they fixed that. it is amazing that she could move it though.

- - country chick said
  - 06 Feb 2015
    3:55 pm
Wow thanks for sharing, glad it had a good outcome

- - mom57522 said
  - 22 Oct 2014
    7:09 pm
I have heard of babies being born with extra digits. Glad all went well.

- - Kelly said
  - 05 Aug 2014
    12:47 pm
Sounds like the surgeon did a great job im sure she wont even remember having her second thumb but hope you took some photos for her so you can show her when she asks about the scar on her thumb.
Glad to hear all went well for her tho.

- - BellaB said
  - 01 Aug 2014
    8:13 pm
You’re so lucky; it sounds like she won’t have many problems as she grows up.

- - Statho2000 said
  - 01 Aug 2014
    4:37 pm
So lucky – something like that is minor compared to what others have to go through. But it doesn’t take away from those four hours you waited and waited. As a mum, I can only imagine how harrowing that must have been for you. So glad she is doing well now

- - kathryn said
  - 31 Jul 2014
    11:14 pm
Hope her recovery went well

- - mom56842 said
  - 31 Jul 2014
    10:50 pm
All the best for your little one, pleased everything worked out well with the operation.

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 31 Jul 2014
    9:52 pm
It would have been such a worrying 4 hours. I’m glad everything is ok.

- - tamandimmy said
  - 31 Jul 2014
    9:18 pm
Glad all is ok, it would be so worrying to have anything wrong with your baby