Birth after shoulder dystocia.

[samsmam]

Help, my DD1 was born after a horrible exit, born with hand on back of shoulder, above head! I was talking to a friend the other day who says that because that happened I would be told I have to have a C-section- would prefer to avoid this. I am sure I was told after the birth of LO that I would be offered induction two weeks early. Any one had any experience of this because LO was 8lb 12oz, first baby? I do not have my booking in appointment with MW for 4 weeks but I would prefer to have some idea of other experiences of birth after shoulder dystocia. Thanks.

I'm not very experienced but am guessing that your friend is correct and they will advise a CS, however, they cannot force you to have one.

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there is absolutely no reason why you have to have a c.section after a shoulder dystocia or a compund delivery....having had one shoulder dystocia does not neccesarily mean you will have another....

a good thing to do would be to ask for your notes from last time and to go through them with the midwife, to determine exactly what happened and to work out a plan of action

the fact you did delivery vaginally, even though it was horrible, is a good thing, if you can deliver like that, then you should be able to deliver this baby...what are the odds of the baby having a hand stuck there again?

some more advice here!

I had shoulder dystocia with DD (first baby, 9lb 14oz) - not a major degree of it but it was all rather stressful and DD did have to be revived at birth.
when it came to DS, 17 weeks ago, agreed with my midwife (am in different country now) that I would deliver at the hospital rather than the birthing unit so I'd be within easy reach of operating theatres etc. in the event DS was born with no problems at all, even though he was bigger at 10lbs 5oz.

as far as I know, no reason why anyone would say you had to have a C-section. Can't actually see the advantage of being induced early either as I don't believe there is any proven advantage to this - it's not just the size of the baby that detemines the position of the baby and the ease of delivery and in fact you're more likely to experience complications/interventions following an induction so it is to be avoided if at all possible. In my case the complicated birth followed an induction...uninduced DS was a breeze and came out in much better condition than DD.

anyhow, if it was a truly dreadful delivery you may be able to make a case for an elective C-section if you preferred it - but as you're not keen I can't see why anyone would make you - it's not true that a dystocia in one birth means it'll happen again anyway. I would think they'd just be very alert for it happening again. And don't just accept an early induction either.

good luck

I've just re-read my post. I wasn't saying you should have a section, just that I think the hospital may suggest it to you.

Do what you feel is best, make an informed decision and enjoy your baby when it arrives.

Hi. ds1 has erbs palsy. He was 10lb 4oz and got stuck. I had a natural delivery with ds2, he was 10lb 5oz and did not get stuck.

Suppose I just have to wait and see what the consultants views are, would like to have my own ideas too! It was nice last time being midwife led, no hospital trips until the birth- it'll be completly different this time

are you sure that you will have to be under consultant led care this time?

try not to panic too much before you see the MW

No I just assumed- maybe not then!

even if you are under consultant led care, you don;t have to agree to anything you feel is not in your best interests, that you are not comfortable with

AIMS is a great site for explaining your rights , and helping you get the birth you want.

I didn't have to go to consultant led care despite high blood pressure/dystocia/induction/large baby etc. last time

and this pregnancy/birth was a breeze in comparison. probably in part due to NO consultants interfering and seeing the same midwife all the way through

My 3rd baby had shoulder dystocia. They insisted I have my 4th in a big hospital with consultants (but that was partly also to do with a previous CS) but dd2's birth was the smoothest of all. No need for mandatory CS.

Ds1 was 9lbs 8oz and had SD. With ds2 I was induced early (38wks) because he was predicted to be large and therefore a higher risk of SD. He weighed 9lbs and did get stuck but because it was expected that he might there were MWs and doctors on standby to help and he was freed very quickly. Dd was my 3rd baby and weighed 8lbs 4oz with no SD.

Even with having had 2 babies with SD it was never once suggested that I have a CS because of it. AFAIK the new policy is not to induce early because of the baby's size either.

Thanks for all the advice, I really don't want my previous experience to take over this whole pregnancy- I am in no way small but I suppose 8lb 12 is quite large for first baby . We shall see what happens. I feel a bit more assured now that everything will be ok this time round.