Baby got "stuck" at crowning. Anyone else?

[minipie]

DD was born premature, at 34 weeks. She was obviously pretty small - just 4lb 15/2.25 kg. Shortish labour, natural birth, G&A only.

Despite being small however, she got stuck at the crowning stage. The top of her head went in and out for ages and I just couldn't push her out. In the end I asked for an episiotomy, got one and she then popped out pretty quickly.

I know this doesn't sound like a big deal but she really was stuck for ages and it had some nasty effects. She ended up with a ventouse-style swollen circle on her head, and a really squashed face (I know squashed faces are common but she was so squashed that the hospital tested her for chromosomal issues) oh and she was not breathing for 3-4 minutes after birth .

Now, I am pregnant again, and hoping that this one will go to term. But I'm scared - if a tiny 4lb 15 baby got stuck at the exit point, what is going to happen if I have a full size baby?? I was 8lb 10! I guess I should assume I'll need an episiotomy or have a big tear ? Should I use Epi-No or whatever it's called?

Has anyone else had this happen? What happened? If you had another child afterwards did you do anything differently?

Thanks

DH thinks I should have ELCS or says he would if it were him!!

DS was back to back and only 6 lb 3oz so the small side of normal. He was stuck for well over an hour, I pushed and pushed then I had an episiotomy and tore as well. His heart rate dropped and He was born not breathing. All very traumatic, It was nearly 7 years ago and I still makes me cross my legs and wince when I think about it.

I'm pregnant again and all babies in DPs family are between 11 and 15 lb so I'm a bit concerned too!

Also not allowed a water birth due to PPH and retained placenta with DS.

I'm not too good with this baby birthing malarkey

Ds1 was 2hrs of pushing, and I also asked for an episiotomy in the end (he was born very shortly after).

Ds2 was born within 2 minutes of my waters breaking. Literally one push, and it wasn't even a push iyswim - totally involuntary. I did tear but it healed up very quickly with very little pain and was nothing compared to the epi.

Ds1 was 7lbs 12oz and ds2 was 7lbs 10oz so nothing to do with weight for me.

My mum had a similar experience with me (long labour, epi, me 6lbs with a hand by my face) and my younger brother (short labour, no tear, db 9lbs).

I had 2 hours pushing and epi with dd1. DD2 I had an 8 minute second stage and she flew out like a bullet.

Thanks again guys. I am really hoping DC2 is much easier as you say. Interesting that water can slow things down, I didn't realise that (actually it does ring a bell now but I'd forgotten).

Watching with interest as dd was tiny and also got 'stuck', although she was higher up I think as they were talking about a caesarean, although in the end got her out with forceps and an episiotomy.