Hello, everyone! I want to take a moment to share something important.
My young daughter has a noticeable birthmark on her face called a capillary hemangioma, measuring about 5 by 6 centimeters. It’s usually the first thing people notice about her, and I know this because it’s often the first thing they comment on.
I remind myself daily that most people mean well. I don’t get upset by the occasional stares; it’s natural to do a double take when you see something different. However, I feel it’s necessary to share some insights.
Understanding Capillary Hemangioma
To clarify, a capillary hemangioma is a type of birthmark, sometimes referred to as “strawberries.” It’s simply an overgrowth of blood vessels that typically fades over time. For my daughter, Mia, any potential complications have been ruled out, and her hemangioma is considered cosmetic. We monitor it to ensure it doesn’t obstruct her vision, but that’s the extent of it. She takes medication daily to prevent further growth during its active phase, and it should be gone by the time she starts kindergarten.
Comments and Perspectives
I’ve received numerous comments from relatives, friends, and strangers alike. I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I want to share a perspective that might resonate with other parents who have children that people perceive as “different.”
We don’t need to discuss her hemangioma every time you see her. Her dad, brother, and I have learned to see beyond the mark. Mia is Mia, and that’s just a part of her identity. There’s no need for constant comments, critiques, or questions about it. I don’t require your opinion on whether you think it’s better or worse—it’s simply how she looks right now, and that’s okay. She is unique and beautiful, and I would much rather chat about her latest achievements, her infectious smile, or those stunning eyes of hers.
She isn’t in pain and is not unwell—she just has a distinctive feature. The most frequent remarks I hear include, “I’m praying it goes away,” “I will pray for her,” and “Bless her little heart.” I’m often asked when it will disappear, and I’ve even heard comments like, “Turn her to her good side,” and “She’s so pretty otherwise.”
A Call for Understanding
Rather than wishing it away, I encourage you to pray for her confidence as she grows, so she learns to love herself, regardless of her appearance. Pray that comments from friends, family, and strangers don’t reach her ears before she’s old enough to wonder why they’re so concerned.
I urge you to look beyond her hemangioma. Imagine if I approached you and loudly remarked, “What’s wrong with your baby’s ____?” or said, “I will pray for your child that her [insert unique trait] fades away.” Consider how that feels when people fixate on something superficial about our child.
Please hold back the pity. She’s a healthy little girl, and we feel incredibly fortunate. Her birthmark is as trivial to her identity as a freckle on her arm. There’s no need to mention it or hope for its removal.
She doesn’t have a “good side” for family photos, and I don’t retouch her hemangioma in pictures. Every part of her face is my dear Mia, and its appearance doesn’t change that.
Resources for Further Exploration
If you’re interested in exploring more about family planning and home insemination, check out this informative post on intracervical insemination. For those seeking resources on pregnancy, ACOG offers excellent support, while Make A Mom provides authority on the topic.
In Summary
Let’s focus on the uniqueness of our children rather than their differences. Embrace their individuality and celebrate them for who they are.