For many parents, a clubfoot diagnosis comes as a complete surprise during a routine ultrasound.
One minute you're lying on the examination table excited to see your baby during a pregnancy scan, and the next you're hearing words you've never heard before: clubfoot, talipes, orthopaedic referral.
It's not the news most parents expect, and it's completely normal to leave that appointment with more questions than answers. I had never heard of clubfoot before my 20 week anatomy scan and my actual first question that fell out of my mouth was "wait, I'm confused.... does she have feet?" That seems funny now looking back, but it came from absolutely no education, the ultrasound tech not being able to explain the situation to me, not even a generic pamphlet.
How Is Clubfoot Diagnosed During Pregnancy?
Clubfoot is often identified during the 20-week anatomy scan, although it can sometimes be detected earlier or later depending on your baby's position. It's even possible to be completely missed on ultrasound and you find out in the delivery room.
During the ultrasound, the sonographer may notice that one or both feet appear turned inward or downward. In many cases, you'll be referred for additional scans or specialist appointments to confirm the diagnosis.
While prenatal ultrasounds are very good at detecting clubfoot, it's important to remember that they don't always tell the whole story. Some babies are born with milder or more severe presentations than expected, while others may have a diagnosis that changes after birth.
What Happens Next?
The good news is that in most cases, there is nothing you need to do differently during your pregnancy.
Your healthcare team may recommend additional scans to monitor your baby's development and gather more information, but clubfoot itself is not treated before birth. Instead, treatment begins after your baby arrives. If everything else on your scans and tests look healthy, it's most likely that clubfoot is isolated to the feet & not another medical condition.
For many parents, this waiting period can feel surprisingly difficult. You're told there is a plan, but you won't actually begin that plan for several months. Or know the severity of that plan until after the baby is born and starts responding to treatment. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
The Questions Most Parents Start Googling
After a prenatal diagnosis, many parents find themselves searching for answers to questions like:
- Will my baby be able to walk normally?
- What causes clubfoot?
- Does my baby need surgery?
- Can clubfoot be corrected?
- What does treatment actually involve?
- Will my baby be in pain?
The internet can be a wonderful resource, but it can also be overwhelming. Between medical journals, outdated information, and worst-case scenarios linked to other medical conditions, it's easy to end up feeling more anxious than informed. If you're like me, when I started Googling I was so frustrated that anything I could find on clubfoot was directed towards physiotherapists & medical professionals, not parents!
What We Wish We'd Known Earlier
If there's one thing many clubfoot parents would tell their past selves, it's this:
A clubfoot diagnosis is not a diagnosis of your child's future.
Right now, it's easy to focus on appointments, treatments, and unfamiliar medical terminology. But the overwhelming majority of children born with clubfoot go on to live active, adventurous lives.
The journey may look different than you expected, but it is still filled with all the things you imagined for your child. Clubfoot babies are still babies - they need warmth, love, milk, cuddles. Clubfoot babies will turn into children that eventually loses a sock, learns to tie their shoe laces, and complains about not wanting to wear shoes.
Looking for More Support?
Receiving a prenatal clubfoot diagnosis can leave you feeling like you're suddenly learning a whole new language.
That's why we've created resources specifically for parents navigating the clubfoot journey - from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.
Written by an Australian clubfoot mum, our guides break down the information you actually want to know in a way that's practical, reassuring, and easy to understand.
For more detailed support, visit our Resources page or continue exploring our blog.
