Christmas and the New Year will bring with them a flurry of sneeze births and we Brook No Argument! (part 14)

[MissLToeishavingsantasbabyboo]

Thought I would treat us un a festive thread

Right, posted in case it got lost, will continue now!

Having another isolated scan at 37 weeks (again done by my consultant) is not likely to tell me anything much about the size of this baby so that's my quandry! Immediately after DSs birth all the midwives were of the opinion that subsequent babies were likely to be CS and every registrar I've seen this pregnancy has said the same. Like I said in my previous post my consultant had also given the impression that this would be the safest option but at my last appt he suddenly did this U turn and said that my pelvis could obviously fit a 10lber through it so it would be possible again! I think my main fear is a recurrence of the shoulder dystocia but with a less positive outcome - so many babies end up with # clavicles or lasting nerve damage sustained during SD births (or worse if they are stuck for even longer) I guess I feel like DS had a lucky escape and I don't want to risk this little one not coming off so well! Arrggh! I just wish I had been given proper scans so I feel like I can make a proper informed choice but it's too late now. I'm really cross at myself for not making a fuss earlier and insisting on 3 proper growth scans! I also think I perhaps I didn't deal properly with the trauma of DSs birth at the time (was very matter of fact about it all, it was DH who was traumatised!!) but I think it's hitting me now another birth is imminent! I will speak to my midwife about it all on Weds but I haven't massively warmed to her so I'm not sure how helpful that will be

Have also read that early induction because of a risk of a "big baby" is also another risk factor for shoulder dystocia! Presumbably because of the increased risk of instrumental delivery in inductions!? It's all just so confusing!

I definitely think your suggestion of early sweeps is a good one!

Sorry for the mammoth posts - I think writing down what's in my head is helping somewhat!

Right - snow day here so off to play in the snow with DS ( and hope the fresh air clears my head of all this!!)

I know what you mean about them staying big but in proportion, toddly boo's cycle helmet we got him for Christmas wary teenage one they are the only ones that would fit his 55cm head!

Is there no chance of a growth scan before you give birth? I realise I sounded quite ungrateful about having them but I think I am so resigned to this one being a good 11lb ish and no real birth issues due to size last time, plus I hate going to our ante natal clinic.

Ooh x posted, yes it is rather more complex isn't it, I am see why the idea of a cs was proposed, and why you would be so concerned about them suddenly taking that away I hope your midwife can be of some help and offer you proper advice, I have not actually seen the same midwife more than once yet so have had no chance to build any relationship with them, but have found all of them lovely and very willing to speak to the consultants with my concerns. I hope yours will do this for you.

Enjoy your snow day.

Just the quickest read through, boo your theory of height related big babies has got me slightly concerned!!! I'm 5'10'' and mrsparks is 6'8'' so does that mean twinkle is coming our the size of a 12 year old?!?!

Oh Sparks erm, well the thing is ........... you may want to invest in more 0-3 than newborn honestly though I am just going on what my mw told me which could equally have been an old wives tale to make me feel better :) I like to believe it though, it makes me feel less like a bloater who is creating the next race of giants :)

6ft 8

Hmmmm wander where I can get giant sized baby grows!!!

Primark sell adult onsies teenage ones too, you know for the first weeks

Thanks boo, I will have a chat to my midwife on Weds and see whether that helps/what she suggests. I definitely feel more chilled for writing all my anxieties down so thanks for reading/listening! (that applies to all of you that have trawled thru my massive posts!)
sparks I would guess that twinkle is likely to be on the large side - or certainly on the long side bearing in mind the genetics! I would definitely only invest in 0-3 clothes and if you need newborn stuff you can always buy a few bits after the birth. I had only bought 0-3 for DS (maybe deep down I knew he was big!) but we had one newborn outfit from DSIL which was going to be his "coming home from hospital" outfit - except we couldn't squash him in it!! Optimistically I still have that outfit and am hoping that DC2 may be small enough to fit in it!!
whims Meant to say earlier - ouch to toddler squashing boob - the thought is almost enough to bring a tear to my eye! And allergy to sanitary towel is also a bugger, itchy nether regions are never good but particularly not just after pushing a baby out of them!
Well DS has had a whale of a time in the snow with 2 of his friends but im knackered! Im very glad that DH is back from his early shift and has taken DS back out in the garden while I have a cuppa and MN in peace! The garden is now trashed though - it looked so beautiful before the pristine snow was all churned up!!

We didn't expect such a big one with toddly boo, they said on take larger side but we didn't really know what they meant, we had lots of lovely newborn clothes and 0-3, day 2 in the hospital (we were in for a week because of an infection) all the baby grows I had with me didn't fit so Mr boo just brought everything we had at home, all the nb ones got donated to the ward but the 0-3 ones fit lovely (for a short while). Totally ignoring newborn sizes this time, straight to next size up!!

Arrrgh, why is MN deleting all these posts! I'll get RSI if I have to type it again. Don't mess with a pregnant woman!

Me too.

Hello, green. I've come after getting your FB message. I've been quiet on this topic because I don't know what I would do or what I would suggest. I've tried to find some trustworthy links though which might help you, although you've probably had a look already:

The RCOG patient information leaflet:

www.rcog.org.uk/files/rcog-corp/A%20Difficult%20Birth%20-%20What%20is%20Shoulder%20Dystocia.pdf

The RCOG guideline for doctors & midwives

www.rcog.org.uk/files/rcog-corp/GTG%2042_Shoulder%20dystocia%202nd%20edition%202012.pdf

They really sit on the fence:

5.2 What are the recommendations for future pregnancy?
What is the appropriate mode of delivery for the woman with a previous episode of shoulder dystocia?

Either caesarean section or vaginal delivery can be appropriate after a previous shoulder dystocia. The decision should be made jointly by the woman and her carers. The rate of shoulder dystocia in women who have had a previous shoulder dystocia has been reported to be 10 times higher than the rate in the general population.

There is a reported recurrence rate of shoulder dystocia of between 1% and 25%. However, this may be an underestimate owing to selection bias, as caesarean section might have been advocated for pregnancies after severe shoulder dystocia, particularly with a neonatal poor outcome.

There is no requirement to recommend elective caesarean birth routinely but factors such as the severity of any previous neonatal or maternal injury, predicted fetal size and maternal choice should all be considered and discussed with the woman and her family when making plans for the next delivery.

Thought I had better post that in case MN ate it!

Anyway, there is NO WAY I would be considering a home birth if I had a history of shoulder dystocia (not that you are!), but what would I do? The risk of complications with SD reading through the links above is much smaller than I had previously realised.

Sorry not to be more helpful. I think (easy to say when you are not in that position!) that I would go for a vaginal delivery, but accepting that C section might be needed and that shoulder dystocia might be needed. Perhaps I'd ask for induction or a section to be booked at 10 days post-dates if I'd not delivered by then. Going post-dates worries me more than most things so I wouldn't want to risk a placenta that was tiring out as well as shoulder dystocia.

So, sorry, not a very helpful or clear response at all!

Thanks so much for those links Bartlet I'll have a good read tomorrow on the laptop. Im not sure I have accessed either of those in my internet searches - should really have thought of searching RCOG for reliable info!! I knew you'd be a help!
tock and little I am feeling the for you, its so bloody frustrating when it eats your posts!!
I currently have a new problem to take my mind off of birth plans! Have just had an email from the owner of the Turkish villa we were renting in May this year. They have decided to sell the villa so we now have.flights to Turkey but no bloody accommodation!! Cue me frantically trawling villa websites and sending lots of emails to owners to find an alternative!! Good job school is open again tom so I can pack DS off and continue the search!

x-posts with your second one bartlet! You have been extremely helpful, I think my gut feeling is to try for vag delivery - I am just trying to feel properly informed/prepared and am probably just over thinking things as I am nervous about labour based on my previous experience. x

And can I just say despite the frustrations of MN eating posts I am very grateful for its existence as I've met you lovely supportive bunch!

Been trying to write (3 x eaten posts). Olives, I am so brooking that it works out ok for you. Don't q understand u-turn and would be pressing to know why the change? Good luck lovely. Bartlet is the font...

Bartlet, if you want to use our birth pool just nod. You're in London aren't you?

Sparks you cd get a long baby but not so heavy. Astrid in top 2% for height but average birthweight... 7 4oz.

Boo sorry re hips, not good. Paracetamol?

Hugs to all.

Interestingly the RCOG guidelines don't advocate early induction with a previous history of shoulder dystocia unless a woman is diabetic (which Im not) so that makes me feel much more comfortable refusing the early induction which my consultant suggested.
Thanks bartlet

No problem, green. I really don't know anything about it, but glad I could help!

tock, not in London sadly, otherwise I'd definitely be round for the birth pool and Astrid cuddles! I'm waiting to see what the scan on Thursday says and then I'll hire one if a home birth is still a sensible option. GTT was normal though, so pleased with that.

Sounds like you have had some good advice there, Olives. If it is of interest to you, a friend of mine's first baby was over 9lb and had shoulder dystocia and she had elcs for her two subsequent babies. She was happy with the decision. I hope your next scan is helpful and you are able to make a decision. Either way, you'll have your brooking baby very soon!

I was walking back from taking DD to playgroup this morning and thinking how well I feel, so I felt the need to write to the triple whammiers to give you hope that you will find it so much easier when your babies are born! It's so hard with hip and back pain etc at the end of pregnancy and I can honestly say that now the initial discomfort from the cs has gone, I feel so much better and more able to look after DD as well as DS. I was a bit worried beforehand about managing the needs of a newborn as well as DD, but it has been ok and I am really enjoying it. I hope this cheers you up in the final weeks of your pregnancies! So excited for you all as you are in the home strait now!

Ah, thanks Gen. It's lovely to hear you are feeling well. I can't tell you how excited I am about not bring pregnant soon! Obviously a huge part of that is getting to meet my baby, but I also can't wait to be able to walk properly again. I had a terrible day yesterday, and could barely get up from the sofa. A nights rest seems to have helped though, and I've been outside for the first time since Thursday, so the world seems a happier place

Olives, not much I can contribute to your discussion, but I hope your next appointment makes you feel more confident about whatever decision you make. Sometimes it's easier if the decision is out of your hands, I know I'd be feeling just as overwhelmed if I was in your position.

Right, going to copy this before I post incase I lose it again!

Hurray, it worked!

Oh, and loved Boo's reassurance to Sparks that she can buy her baby adult onesies!

Thanks Gen that's good to hear!! Like Little I am eagerly anticipating not being pregnant too! I slipped over on the ice this morning whilst trying to rescue DS who had just fallen too! I managed to break my fall but I have REALLY overstretched in the process and my pubic bone is agony!! Not too bad when I'm sitting but when I stand I am so stiff and sore! I have decided to become a hermit until it all melts!

Glad to hear you're a bit happier and less sore today Little!

Too tired to write anything. So sleeeeeeeeepy...

Yikes 20 week scan in 7 days!!!!