Upon learning during her pregnancy that her baby would be born with a cleft lip, actress Samantha Hanratty, known for her role in Yellowjackets, experienced an intense mix of emotions. Now, after having welcomed her son on New Year’s Eve 2024, she is stepping into motherhood with bravery and hope as she prepares to support him through the necessary surgery.
By candidly sharing her journey, Hanratty is playing a vital role in destigmatizing one of the most prevalent congenital conditions, reminding mothers everywhere that resilience and community can emerge in the most unforeseen situations.
The significance of her story
Parenthood can be filled with unexpected news, and for parents like Hanratty, a diagnosis during pregnancy can be particularly daunting. Approximately one in 700 children are born with a cleft lip and/or palate, with a baby born every three minutes with this condition. Despite its prevalence, discussions surrounding it are often lacking, leaving many parents to face the news alone.
That’s why Hanratty’s willingness to speak openly is so important. By leveraging her platform to highlight both the challenges and successes of cleft lip diagnoses, she is fostering a space where parents can feel acknowledged, supported, and less isolated.
Coming to terms with the diagnosis
During her 20-week ultrasound, Hanratty received the diagnosis of her baby’s cleft lip. “Of course I cried when I found out,” she expressed in an interview with TODAY.com. “You don’t want to think about your child having to go through surgery, especially at 3 weeks old or a year old.”
She candidly explained that the news was shocking to her and her husband, noting, “it doesn’t run in my family, it doesn’t run in my husband’s family,” as she shared in a TikTok video. “And the biggest thing that we all want is that we want our kids to be happy and we want our kids to be healthy.”
Her initial disbelief quickly transformed into proactive measures. Hanratty turned to her husband, Christian DeAnda, and utilized her role as an ambassador for Smile Train, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free cleft treatment globally. “It’s something so common that people don’t talk about very often,” she mentioned to TODAY.com. “I figured it’s another way to educate people.”
Strength in community
While revealing her son’s diagnosis publicly wasn’t simple, the positive feedback she received was unexpected. “I did not anticipate this pure kindness that I’ve been receiving,” she shared with TODAY.com. Through TikTok and various online communities, she has connected with other mothers facing similar challenges, creating a supportive network. “We get to be there for the next mamas who are going to find out about what their baby is going through,” she remarked.
Her willingness to be vulnerable has become a powerful source of strength—not only for herself but also for those around her.
Preparing for surgery
Since her son’s arrival, Hanratty has been open about the emotional journey leading up to his surgery. In a TikTok update, she conveyed: “The emotions and hormones are strong haha! Wanted to give a #cleftlip update♥️ I will share my birth story soon! Please know I feel extremely grateful and privileged we have the opportunity to even get this surgery done. It’s just a hard thing as a mom to have him go into surgery so young. And I think he’s absolutely perfect if you can’t tell.”
The resilience of her son motivates her every day. “Whenever I start to feel sad, he starts kicking,” she reminisced about her pregnancy. “I think it’s his way of telling me, ‘I’m fine.’”
A message of encouragement
As she readies for her son’s upcoming surgeries, Hanratty has found a sense of peace and gratitude. “I think this is how my son was always supposed to be,” she said to TODAY.com. Her honesty serves as a profound reminder that parenting is not about perfection—it revolves around love, advocacy, and drawing strength from unforeseen challenges.
Image Source: Samantha Hanratty @ Instagram
