Anyone had a shoulder dystocia birth? Did you have a SD with your subsequent birth?

[BumgrapesofWrath]

I'm pregnant with DC2. When I had DS, his shoulders got stuck, and he as delivered after the midwife performed the McRoberts manoevre.

I have seen a registrar this pregnancy because of the previous SD (and high BMI), and she saw a previous SD as no issue. In fact, she said it wasn't really a proper shoulder dystocia, nothing for me to worry about. I went to the appointment thinking early induction or caesarian might be discussed!

Spoke to my midwife about it, and she also sees it as a bit of a non-issue. She says my pelvis will have stretched, and they have my legs back early on to avoid SD.

My worries are that I'm fatter this time, and second babies are supposed to be bigger, so I think I'm more likely to get a SD this time, and it could be more severe.

Anyone gone on to give birth to a baby after having a previous dystocia? Did it happen again?

I was told that chances of SD in a first birth is 1 in 200, and slightly higher for second births if you had it first time. I was also told that it cant be predicted, and size of baby makes no difference, its the position they are in.

My DS had SD 9 months ago, and he is my only child so far so sorry I cant help any more. I also had forceps, episiotomy & 4th degree tear so my next child will be ELCS, due to the combination of events.

You could ask to see your notes from your first baby and see what's written in there, that may shed some light as to why the registrar said it wasnt a proper SD.

Thanks for your response craving.

I've read the notes in a debrief session. It does say shoulder dystocia with asterisks, and explained what happened. I think it's the fact that it was remedied by McRoberts that she thinks it's not "proper", but it felt proper at the time!

I was thinking of a ELCS (and my birth wasn't as traumatic as yours sounds), but the medical people involved are making it sound such a trivial thing now!

I agree, it certainly feels proper at the time!

SD is enough of a reason to have an ELCS and you shouldnt be made to feel otherwise. I'm sure you know how serious it can be and just because the midwives were able to react very quickly doesnt make it any less proper. You can always ask to see someone else for a second opinion if ELCS is what you really want.

I personally would try for another VB if this was my only complication, and make sure that it is documented all over my notes to ensure there were enough staff in the room during the pushing stage for reassurance/assistance should it happen again.

Mt friend had a severe shoulder dystocia with her DS1. She was advised to have a C-Section with DS2.

This is my first post on this forum, I hope you don't mind me crashing. I had a shoulder dystocia with my 2nd birth- DS. He weighed 9lb 11oz and was a difficult lie throughout the latter weeks of my pregnancy. Put simply the risk factors which heighten your chance of experiencing this again are high BMI, Gestational Diabetes (if applicable) and a previous SD. I would suggest you push for a more in depth chat about your first SD. How long did it take to resolve? Effect on the baby at birth (Apgars etc) any other less scientifically proven (but likely bearing factors) Did you labour on your back? Were you induced? Apologies if I sound over zealous I am trying to type this succinctly as possible.

My experience was horrific, that said if I had a subsequent pregnancy I would do things differently and give myself the best posible chance of VB. The difficulty with SD is it can not be predicted. My Son inched out as he crowned, forehead, nose, lips, chin- first sign that he was hefty! He then attempted to turtle neck and retract back in- at this point I was put into McRoberts and buzzers were pressed flooding the delivery room with staff. What followed was suprapubic pressure by the midwifery supervisor (hard rocking on my abdomen), remaining in McRoberts- this was attempted twice but remained unresolved. From there the midwife used Woods screw manouvre (her hand guiding him out in a twisting motion of his posterior shoulder) which resulted in dislodging my DS thankfully. There are a number of manouvres used if this doesn't work- they happen in quick, orderly succession and generally about 70% are resolved with the use of McRoberts and suprapubic pressure alone. The time from delivery of the head to the rest of his body being delivered was 3 minutes, he required full resuscitation and his Apgars were 0 and birth- at 5 minutes they were 7 and by 10 minutes he was at a 9. My baby was very poorly but luckily he recovered very quickly. He has no ill effects 2 years on, despite the initial worry tht he may have a fractured clavicle or an erbs palsy due to the mode of delivery. I do hope this doesn't scaremonger but I want to hit home that SD is one of the worst obstetric emergencies- something any midwife will tell you she dreads. Please do not let them dismiss this as irrelevant. It was relevant enough to write on your notes at the point of last delivery.

From my own point of view I would attempt to "cook" a baby less during pregnancy. Generally my BMI falls around 29-30, which is too high and in both pregnancies I ate pretty much whatever I wanted, lets just say I enjoyed the freedom!! My DD was born at 35+ 2 after spontaneous rupture of membranes- she weighed 6lb 4oz! I shudder to think what she would have been at term. DS as I said earlier was 9lb 11oz. My posture was poor during my 2nd pregnancy, which I believe contributed to his difficult lie and finally I laboured on my back being uneccessarily monitored for lengthy periods. This would all change if I was brave enough to go for a 3rd.

I really hope you get some more answers on this enabling you make a fuly informed decision.

Good luck!

x

My second child was a shoulder dystocia and I've gone on to have another two babies without it happening again, my third was heavier than my second too.

As someone above said, it's babys position that makes an SD more likely to happen, weight is a factor too but not as much as the babys position.

When I was expecting my third I booked a homebirth after researching SD alot, I knew it was unlikely to happen again.