Sarune and Gustė's story

On 28th of March 2019, a small beautiful girl was born. I  was a first time mother, everything was new for me, so the first days after giving birth I was like in space. but the time to go home with my baby came and I had to "learn" how to be a mother. Finally I was going to understand  and be there to  fulfill the most important needs of my  baby. 

After having been home for around the 2nd week, the red dot on my daughter's forehead started to shine. I thought perhaps  it was because I had  forgotten to cut her nails, or maybe I had scratched her by accident.

Another week went by and  another dot appeared next to the first one. I also noticed a red spot on her bottom. I was perplexed and  wanted to consult with a doctor, I asked around and was referred to a dermatologist. I had read about "Angel kisses" , "stork clamps" ,  that children are born with and which disappear over time. In our daughter's case, it was growing.

When I finally got an appointment with dermatologist which I had to book at a clinic which wasn't close to home as the local clinics in my area where booked for two months before I could get an appointment. The earliest I could get an appointment My daughter was 3 months old, and the formation or  "spot" on her forehead was already quite grown.

As soon as I entered through the door, I hadn't even managed to take her out of her carrier , a diagnosis was made,  hemangioma. What to do? I was told that we would have to wait a year and observe, it should start to fade on its own. So we did.

Unfortunately, by the time she was 6 months, the hemangioma had grown a bit more. It also slightly changed  color whenever my Guste cried or was teething.

All those months, I had to arm myself with patience, answering the questions wherever I went. They asked if I had dropped the baby or  why I didn’t cut her nails, or maybe I should be more careful while  carrying the baby around. Some people even started to blame my husband - saying that it was his fault or making comments like ‘Men are so clumsy right?”

One day, as I was Googling  for more information about hemangiomas. I found that in Lithuania there are some clinics which are doing treatments for hemangiomas. (laser and local propranolol). I wasted no time. We had 3 laser procedures performed until she was  1 year old, but those laser treatments were simply torture so we stopped.

As a matter of fact, the hemangioma has started to fade on its own. Doctors at  this private clinic began  saying that  if only we had only  come earlier, her hemangioma would be smaller  by now. But sadly there was very little  information available.

After some time I have decided that I should spread the word in Lithuania, so first I used #hemangiomalithuania on instagram and I was the first one. None of  the other moms out there reached out.

It wasn't enough that I was the only one out there, so I wrote to one of the mommy magazines in Lithuania and they agreed to post an article about it with Guste's picture. I wanted to get the word out so that any  new moms in the same circumstances would not have to face the same things or questions I had to deal with repeatedly,

I know what this felt like, especially when you are still trying to deal with the fact that you are holding your newborn in  your arms as motherhood can be overwhelming enough.

After this article came out, some moms reached out to me and shared their stories. It was  great  to be able to  share your experience with someone who was going through the same things too!

Educate, spread the word and lets all make the difference

P. S. So glad instagram exicts and I found this account and other mums who had same experience, talking helps! 

If you like to share your story, do not hesitate to write to hemangiomamomma@gmail.com.