newborn with a large cone shape lump on her head?

Question

my friend's baby was born with a large lump on the side of her head, doctor said it's normal, the lump hasn't grown, yet hasn't shrunk (the baby is now 5 weeks old). Did anyone else have or know someone who had a baby who was born with a lump but it later dissappeared? If so, how long did it take to dissappear? I'm trying to find out how often this occurs and is it really "normal/ok" like the doctor said. Serious answers only, I have no problem reporting abuse and stupidity.

Answer 1

My son was also born with the "cone head" appearance. It is from going through the birth canal and is completely normal. His started shrinking within the first week, but if her pediatrician is not upset about her son's 'cone', I would not be concerned. She should have already had a couple of check ups by now and the pediatrician would let her know if there was anything to be upset about. Give the baby a little time and pretty soon he'll have a perfectly round baby's head you expect!

Answer 2

First of all, the cone-shape was caused by a long period of time in the birth canal, plus the vacuum and forceps. My niece, who was rather tiny and birthed without the vacuum or forceps, had a very pronounced, awful-looking cone head for a few weeks. Secondly, I'm going to assume the mother had an epidural, right? Had she not, and been able to push from a different position, the episiotomies/vacuum/forceps would not likely have been necessary. Mom was also probably pushing just because she was told she was 10 cms and it was "time to push." If Mom had been able to feel when her body was telling her to push, she wouldn't have pushed for so long. And for the record, the molded head is actually pretty helpful to getting baby out. Had this mother been able to push when she needed to and in a better position, the molding of the baby's head may have prevented her from having any tearing, much less needing an episiotomy. (Or three! Ouch!) Both of my kids were born with perfectly round heads, and I had an episiotomy with my first and an even worse tear with my second. If their heads had been a little more cone-shaped, I may have fared a little better. I'm sorry you witnessed such a traumatic birth. Birth is NOT meant to be that way; the modern medical establishment has made it that way. My first child's birth, while not as awful as what you described, sent me running from doctors and hospitals. I just had my second child - at home - and let me tell you, it was a million times better. Last thing - you are spot on about the video taping. The last thing a doctor wants is a video of him ripping a child out of the womb with forceps...it's absolutely a guard against malpractice suits.

Answer 3

Many newborns have misshapen heads at birth, usually because of the passage down the birth canal or the use of forceps/vaccuum. A newborn's skull is still soft and malleable, so the head can take on some pretty weird looking shapes. The vast majority of times though the head shape will resolve with time, but in isolated cases the misshapeness needs to be corrected with therapy, aids or surgery. As long as your friends baby is under a doctors care, they will be fine, and whatever needs to be done, will be done.

My friend's first baby was born with forceps and came out with a really misshapen cone off to one side. She looked like a smurf LOL. It took about three months for the shape to completely go down, but once it did she had a perfectly round head.

Answer 4

A lot of babies born vaginally come out with a cone shaped head. The reason it shaped this way is b/c when the baby passes through the birth canal it has to mold its large head to fit through such a narrow passage. Babies have sutures-fontanels, that make up it's head and don't fuse(soft spots) until around 18 months. Depending on a woman's size and the babies size you have a various range of how awkward looking a babies head can look after birth. It usually will mold back into a somewhat normal shape soon after birth, but some take up to around 6-8 wks. Don't make fun of her baby:)I am sure she realizes it looks a little odd too. Just keep an eye out and it still isn't "right" to you at around 8 wks mabye mention it to her, but give it some time.:)

Answer 5

My grandaughter and grandson were both born with a cone head. My grandsons went away by the time she went home from the hospital but, my grandaughters must have taken at least 2 months to finally disappear. I was wondering if it would ever go away. She is now 17 months old and has a beautiful shaped head and no sign of a cone. It also took 3 months for her belly button thing to fall off which I thought was bizarre too. It was just her system whivh was I guess slow in healing everything.

Answer 6

I used to baby sit a little boy who had a lump like that on his head. The doctors said that it was normal and it did eventually go away. I can't remember exactly when, but I think by the time he was 12-18 months you couldn't really notice it. Plus when his hair came in fuller you didn't notice it as much even though it was still there.

Answer 7

if it was a vaginal birth... or a vacuum was used for either vaginal or cesarean... yes, absolutely normal...

babies heads are soft to navigate the birth canal... often these "cone heads" are at the crown area (top/back of head) but sometimes they come out a little "crooked" at first... there are lots of variables here...

2nd opinions are always a good idea... but back in 1975 my cone head took almost 2 months to go down - my mother loves to tell the "football head baby" story. she said when she was able to monitor me, that she'd let me nap on my back w/ my head pressed against a firm pillow... usually she'd sit w/ me on the couch and read while I napped with my head up against the arm rest of the cushy sofa.

Answer 8

What you are describing is a cephalohematoma. This is a big fancy word for a big blood clot under the skin of the scalp.
There was trauma to this portion of the scalp that caused bleeding inder the skin. THese take several weeks to reabsorb. It will happen though.