Babies name	Annabel
Age	Born 20th june 2005
Mothers name	Mandy Muir
About Annabel

Annabel was born on the 20th june 05 weighing a healthy 6lbs 11oz! annabel was a breech baby and had very little amniotic fluid around her hence had to greet us by ceaseran section. The specialists did not advise trying to turn her due to the lack of fluid and several small bleeds i had during my pregnancy.

When annabel was born we noticed her head was slightly flat at the back but, like many parents, we thought it would "round out" itself. We voiced these concerns at her 6 week check up but were given no information on plagiocephaly/brachycephaly or advice on repositioning. Annabel's head shape grew progressively worse and at 5 months old we voiced these concerns again. We were then told annabel had severe deormational plagiocephaly and were referred to a consultant paediatrician

We waited 2 agonising months for this appointment only to be told annabels head may "possibly correct itself", if not "her hair would hide the deformity" as there were "many adults walking around with squint heads". Needless to say we were non-plussed and no further forward. we had, however, previously noticed an informaive article in a woman's magazine all about plagiocephaly and helmet therapy.

In the back of our minds and looking at Annabels deformed head we knew this would be the only option. We were being told annabel's head would correct itself but in reality the deformity was becoming more marked each week! We then proceeded to raise funds and, with the help of family and friends, annabel was fitted with her special helmet when she was 8 month's old.

initially, after days of research, we e-mailed pictures of annabel's head to a stephen mottram at the moortown clinic in leeds, who confirmed annabel had severe plagiocephaly/brachycephaly and arranged an appointment for a scan. We attended the clinic 2 weeks later for the fitting and have never looked back. the travelling is extremely distressing, leeds and back in a day from dundee! The difference in annabel's head shape make's it all worthwhile.

My gorgeous little girl can now wear her hair in lots of different styles rather than one that will "hide" her deformity. Helmet therapy is truly the best decision i have ever made and i know i have given Annabel the best possible start in life. The NHS are in a position to give all babies that start in life.