To ask you about your teenager that had shoulder dystocia at birth?

[MrsKwazi]

Essay alert! Sorry it’s so long.

My son’s birth was really messy and chaotic, I don’t remember much of it to be honest. Shoulder dystocia was never mentioned. He was 4.6 kg at birth, term baby, no problems. I was so angry after his birth I discharged myself after 3 hours from the delivery suite and never went back. Had very bad PND so didn’t ask for his notes etc. I just could not face it.

When he started sitting at 5 months his hand turned outwards like a waiter’s hand. NHS GP said it’s not a problem. Took him to StJohn&Lizzies, saw a paediatrician, had neoroconductive studies and the diagnosis was a neuropraxia of the brachial plexus. Had 6 months of intesive physio. Whether that made a difference or he truly grew out of it, who knows.

As a toddler he was quite clumsy. Had his two top front teeth removed at age 3 as they were irreparably damaged due to repeated falls.

Now he is 11. He can’t always catch a ball. Loves tennis but misses or can’t place the ball more than the other kids. Loves basketball and as the ball is big, it’s easier, but I can see it’s not quite the same as the other kids. He trips and falls quite often. Has already sprained both ankles. No Ehlers-Danos. His tennis coach describes him as Bambi, all arms and legs and says his proprioception just can’t keep up with the speed at which he grows. He has the frame of my BIL who is 190 cm. He is tallest in his class and taller than my 13 year old, so maybe the tennis coach has a point.

If your teenager had shoulder dystocia at birth, how are they doing now? Any issues? If I would like to have him assessed, where do I go? Sports Physio? Neurologist? His daily life is 100% fine. He sees himself as a sportsman and is very active. He wants to try parkour, I would not allow it up to now as he will break his neck! I just don’t want anything to hold him back if there is an early intervention that can make a difference.

Any advice? Thanks.

Not me, but my cousin had shoulder dystocia with her first. She's now 14 and no short or long term consequences than anyone's aware of.

I would get him assessed by a paediatric occupational therapist.

You could still access your birth notes.

My daughter is now 10 (so not quite a teen), shoulder dystocia at birth, no ongoing issues. Shoulder dystocia is scary though. Wish you both all the best.

I agree with @Techno56 - although it seems to me it is possible that this might not be related to shoulder dystocia, I think you would be wise to get this checked out.

Parkour might actually be good! I was diagnosed as hypermobile as an adult after a childhood of sprained ankles. Ballet was what had stopped me breaking them continuously because it gives you muscles in all directions which support the joints. Trampolining is meant to be good too

My ds who is 15 now had shoulder dystopia at birth.
His left hand was turned out fully and I got a visit from physio to teach me exercises, and then an assessment at 8 months which said he had fully recovered function.
He is tall, over 6 ft, but quite muscular now, he plays football (in goal) and lifts some weights. He is not very dexterous, has poor handwriting, but he's concentrated on core strength activities and they seem to have improved his fine motor skills too.
Do you have any history of connective tissues disorders in your family? I have an inflammatory disorder and a relative has Marfan's syndrome so I've wondered if that could have been a factor in my son's problems with dexterity.
I agree you might want to get him assessed by a physio, my hypermobility was discovered during a physio visit so it might help to find beneficial safe exercises he can enjoy! Good luck

Definitely do this. Could he have dyspraxia?