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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Worried about getting pregnant after previous shoulder dystocia...

3 replies

BumgrapesofWrath · 13/03/2012 20:40

When I gave birth to my DS the labour went really well until his shoulders got stuck in my pelvis. At the time I don't think I realised how much of an emergency it was (though the emergency buzzer was pressed and the room filled with medical staff), but now I've had chance to digest what happened I have realised how close we were to something going terribly wrong...

It wasn't a severe SD, the midwife performed McRoberts, and after some pushing from me, and some tugging, DS was born. He did go to the resus table, but at the time I wasn't worried as I saw he was a good colour. So it wasn't anywhere near as bad as the SD on OBEM a few weeks ago...

However, the experience has put me off getting pregnant again. I am a logical and rational person usually, but I really can't get my head round putting a baby through that risk again. I think maybe what I'mm struggling with is a went for a debrief a few months after DS was born and when speaking to the consultant she didn't couldn't say why it had happened, though she summised because I am obese that might have been a factor, or that DS was 9lb (though he was a long baby, definitely not big, or GD), or it could have been that DS was in a bad position, or due to midwife inexperience, but they don't really know.

So given that debrief, I am making positive steps to loose weight in case that was a factor. However, what if this wasn't the issue? What if it is that I have a small pelvis? My worry is that the second baby might be bigger than DS, and the consequences could be worse.

I think the problem is that I know that I might not be able to control whether I have a second SD or not, and that is what I feel uncomfortable about.

I do feel sad about it though, as DS is 17months old now, and I was really planning a large family, and now I think he may end up an only child. But I really don't want to risk losing a baby...

Thing is, I know people who have had a way worse experience, and they have managed to brush themselves off and carry on to have other babies. In fact, I am usually the kind of person who gets over stuff easily and gets on with things, so can't make out why I feel like this.

I am hoping when I start to feel properly broody again, that I won't care and will cross the bridge when we come to it, but the broody feeling really is not there...

Has anyone got any experience of this? Or can anyone advise?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
lurcherlover · 13/03/2012 21:02

I have just posted a thread along very similar lines - I too had a SD with my first. I'm now pregnant again though, scary [shocked] I was told after having a SD that I could probably have a cs this time, and am weighing up whether or not I want to go for it - that might be an option for you? That OBEM terrified me Sad

BumgrapesofWrath · 13/03/2012 21:15

Just read your post lurcher, sounds like some of the circumstances were very similar. I was very active during labour, great pregnancy... I will keep an eye on your thread with interest... Congratulations on your pregnancy, I hope you get the answers you need!

OP posts:
Kaloobear · 13/03/2012 21:19

I have EXACTLY the same concern. I'm also terrified of c sections as my body seems to do something funny to anaesthetic and I am utterly petrified of feeling it. I don't know whether I can get past this to another pregnancy. I don't have any advice, sorry-just wanted to say I really know how you feel.

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