Birth options after difficult first labour

[HopefulButScared]

Just over 4 years ago I had my DS. Pregnancy was relatively unremarkable, but the birth was quite traumatic, although thankfully ended well.

It ended with shoulder dystocia, the cord twice round his neck, he had to be resuscitated and I almost had to have a blood transfusion due to the amount I lost. Recovery was awful and my scar is still not 100% at times. Basiclaly the issue was I am 5 foot 2 and DS was 9lb 2oz with a head on the 90% centile. The senior midwife debriefed me an hour after birth and said I shouldn't have been allowed to give birth vaginally. A growth scan 5 weeks previous didn't pick up how big he was.

Yesterday I discovered I'm pregnant after 17 months of trying with DC2 and I'm anxious t not go through similar again. Has anyone had a similar experience or know what my options might be second time round considering what happened?

Sorry that should have said 90th centile.

Sounds like a planned section is the way to go

Hi @HopefulButScared I too had shoulder dystocia and haemorrhaged with my first baby. I'm 16 weeks pregnant now and had an appointment a couple of weeks ago with the consultant to talk about birth options.

I knew I wanted to opt for a planned c-section this time as I don't like the odds of it happening again. I expected to have to put up a fight to get a c-section, but they agreed with no issues. The other option they suggested was inducing me early so the baby wouldn't grow so big.

Thank you both. Planned c-section was something I had been considering but I wasn't sure if I was overreacting. The idea of a section makes me a bit anxious as it's obviously the unknown to me, but I can't bear the thought of possibly going through that again.

@kwastell it's very reassuring to know you didn't have any issues with your request I hope you have a calmer birth experience this time round.

Dear op, I think given the scenario, planned c-section is the best option for you. I had a completely normal pregnancy 8 years ago with my first born however the delivery was a bit complicated. I got epidural when I was 5 cm dilatated and my dilatation slowed down drastically after the epidural so much so that it took me almost 24 hours more to fully dilatate. They tried vaginal delivery with forceps but was unsuccessful and eventually I delivered my boy with a c-section. Now that i am pregnant with my second one I have been suggested to have a planned c-section. Dont feel apprehensive of the c-section. There are only a few precautions that you need to take upto 3 months after the procedure and everything gets back to normal after that. Wish you all the very best !

I had a fairly similar experience to you first time round and am opting for a planned section this time. I’m meeting the consultant shortly to agree it but midwife says should be fine. I know there’s no guarantees how it will go, but I feel like there are more variables I can control with the section than with the natural delivery. I also know that the natural delivery could be ok this time but I feel the risks are greater with natural (for me, personally) than with c section. A tough decision though, I empathise as it took me a lot of deliberation! And I’m still not booked in so it’s not 100% certain they’ll let me, I suppose!

I don't have personal experience of what you're describing but I have had a C-section.

If that is the option that is best for you I think it's important that you remember that it is major surgery and plan accordingly. Ensure DH takes extended paternity leave, that you book a cleaner for the first 6 weeks etc.

I'm very glad that I didn't have a section with Ds2 because the idea of trying to entertain a toddler after one is past what I think I'd be capable of and I had a straight forward recovery.

Fingers crossed for you

Thank you all for your experiences, they are really helpful. There's lots to think about here.