Why do babies get stuck?

[tattycoram]

I am 31 weeks pg with DC2. My DS was enormous 10'11' and got very stuck in the birth canal (ended up with forceps, big episiotomy). This DC is looking big according to scans (I know they are not 100% reliable) and I am wondering, if my DS got stuck just because he was big, or if there woudl have been other reasons. I have a meeting with the consultant at 34 weeks, but have started wondering.

Can anyone help?

Might be size but could be position. Perhaps ask if you had shoulder dystocia with dc1?

Your position during birth and the baby's position really affect it. There is some good info out there on big babies and suggestions for good positions to try.

I have wondered whether it was shoulder dystocia, as I think I remember his head being out and shoulders not, but apparently my notes don't say so. Wonder if DH remembers more

I had had an epidural but it had worn off and I was on a birthing stool that my midwife found from somewhere, so pretty upright. Then I ended up in theatre on my back. I find it hard to make sense of it all

Maybe you should ask to see your notes from the last birth as you say it's hard to make sense of it all?

It can be their heads' position. Like putting a trousers with your foot flexed (it will never go) or pointed (it goes), but the foot and the trousers legs are the same sizes both time.
It should be on your note if your pelvis is too small, But has you gave birth 1st time I would imagine it is OK.
May be your baby was OP, or was looking up... which shouldn't happen again, finger crossed

Positioning definitely. Also if contractions are not strong enough or too far apart then a bit of tugging will be required. Epidural can cause this too happen.

You will be a bit, erm, looser down below than first time though, which will help. Ask midwife how baby is lying. If, nearer due date, he/she is back to back or sideways it may help to spend some time on all fours (!), sitting leaning forward on a dining room chair etc to help turn baby.

He was OP but I think he swivelled and came out the right way up. I sound totally clueless don't I. I have made sure that my notes will be available when I go for this talk with the consultant. Every single HCP I have spoken to has assumed that I will have a section this time. I did have probs with continence for about 8 months after the birth but am fine now. I think I might start a new thread about what I need to have thought about before I go to this meeting. I don't know if there is a way of assessing what damage was done

Ds3 who was 10lb11 got stuck with slight shoulder dystocia, but was ok (mw did some nifty manouvering to get him out).

(sorry, not sure why I wrote he was 10lb11, he was 10lb12, duh!)

Hey don't beat yourself up. We're programmed not to remember the finer details of the birthing process...

You're only 31 weeks. Plenty of time to discuss with consultant and midwives and make informed decisions.

I think position has a lot to do with it.

Mine weren't as big as yours, but DS1 got very stuck and I had to have an emergency c-section. DS2 was bigger and he was born naturally (with ventouse). DS1 was posterior though, so was approaching from the wrong angle IYSWIM!

Thanks - I just know from past experience that something about going into those meetings with doctors makes me incapable of remembering what to ask or of retaining any information they give me. You're right tho, it is still a way away isn't it

It's just the way that every midwife/sonographer/doctor I have seen so far sucks their teeth and shakes their head when I tell them DS's size that bothers me.

Good positioning can help, but I know how scary it was when ds3 got stuck - homebirth, very active, upright etc, so I think the OP is wise to look into the possibilities, as it is not nice when it happens.

My easiest birth (of 3) was my biggest, and the same was true for my mum (of 4). So size alone is not always the problem.

totally agree with starlightmckenzie! No epidural / on your back / managed pushing!
Get comfortable in whatever position works for you. Water is great too!

I know and I didn't want an epidural but after two days with a huge back to back baby I just couldn't stand the pain anymore

Mine was brow presentation, not sure when she got that way as it wasn't picked till late! Just avoided EMCS, forceps and epistiotomy.

Beautiful week old DD though!

no, I know starlight I suppose I just haven't had to think about it for a long time, and I'm just remembering now how much I had prepared and how I thought it would be and how different the reality was and I honestly don't know what to do this time, because I have read lots about how second births are easier and big babies not necessarily difficult, but every HCP I meet assumes I want a caesarian

I was having a homebirth, waterbirth and mine got stuck. Brow presentation and he was coming down sideways. Plus idiot midwife thought waters had gone when they hadn't and made me push for 4 hours before I was really ready. It IS scary. Mine ended up with transfer to hospital where they had to put me on syntocin drip, epidural and ventouse and epidural as heartbeat was dipping. I found it all a blur too and so difficult because they never gave me a proper "debrief" especially as I think the community midwives were partially at fault.

I've just found out pg again and the birth does concern me but am def going to try and get hold of my notes and see if I can talk them over with a midwife I trust. And am considering engaging a doula.

I too was having a homebirth. Active, upright, calm. Got to 10cms, waited 90minutes for an urge to push. Nowt. Pushed for 6 hours anyway in every position you can imagine, including on the toilet facing forwards and on the toilet facing backwards. Nowt. Transferred in.

Had episiotomy, ventouse, attempted manual rotation and then em cs.

DD was in deep transverse arrest (facing sideways ) and asynclitic (head tilted). She was 7lbs 12oz.

I know now 3 years later that there was nothing at all I did wrong or could have done differently to prevent it. DD simply wasn't in the right position.

There are things you can do but sometimes they just get a bit lost on the way down.