2nd pregnancy, previous shoulder dystocia

[Moolahdog]

Hi everyone!

Just writing to hear experiences on birth after a previous shoulder dystocia.

Trigger warning for traumatic birth story

I had shoulder dystocia with my daughter, 1st baby, at 41 weeks +2 days who was born at 8lb 3oz. No gestational diabetes. 4 day total labour, got to hospital at 5cm and stopped progressing, so induction progress started with drip and epidural. Eventually after being in hospital for 18 hours I progressed enough to try pushing which they let me do for an hour but my daughter’s heart rate kept dropping so then they said she needs help. They kept saying they could see her head and I was pushing really good but then she’d go back up. Then a button was pressed, staff are in, I’m signing forms and prepped for a C-section and taken to theatre. They managed to then get her out with episiotomy, McRoberts and forceps.

We were so lucky that baby was minimally injured, just bruised! But we did have another traumatic moment on day 1 when we got home and we couldn’t wake her up so ended up back in hospital. We never really understood why this happened and I’m not sure whether it can relate to a tough birth? She’s now 18 months, happy and healthy and truly the light of our lives!

I had a bad time healing as my wound got infected and I genuinely couldn’t sit down or walk properly for 4 weeks.

I’m currently 13 weeks pregnant so started thinking about my next birth and realised I’m quite terrified of it happening again. Also waiting for my consultant apt to discuss options and a debrief from the birth talk team.

I would love to hear if anyone’s going/ been through something similar and how it’s going/ how the next birth went.

Thank you in advance!!

My first birth was really similar to yours - 17 years ago - and I remember being really worried about my second too. But all went well second time around and she's a healthy 15 year old now. Not sure how to put your mind at rest but it was really helpful for me to read over my hospital birth notes - I was able to request them from the hospital and a lovely midwife Sat with me, read them through and explained everything. Maybe something similar could help? Best of luck - hope it all goes smoothly this time around

Thank you so much for responding!! I’m so pleased to hear your next birth went smoothly the second time round, it definitely gives me hope!

Yes I’ve asked for a debrief about my daughter’s birth but waiting for an apt. Seeing the consultant about birth options quite soon which I feel it should be the other way round with the debrief first! But I suppose I can always make a decision later/ change my mind

That's good that you're getting the debrief. I actually don't remember anyone suggesting it would be likely to happen again. I am just reading about shoulder dystopia (and re-traumatising myself!) and saw that they advise going over the due date - but my second was actually two weeks late and 9 pounds and still all was fine. Good luck!

I meant 'not' going over the due date

How about requesting a c section ? I had one for my second and it was honestly lovely. Recovery great

My DC1 was a compound delivery (had their hands crossed over their head). Labour started at 42 weeks exactly and I progressed really well but once I reached 8cm I ended pushing for hours. It was exhausting and the midwife couldn’t get me to make any progress. DC1 was born via ventouse with an episiotomy and I had second degree tears.

My DC2 ended up being an ELCS, mainly due to their predicted size and the very high risk of shoulder distoycia. DC2 ended up being 9lb 15oz at 39+4 and I had nothing but relief that I decided to have an ELCS. I won’t say I wasn’t petrified but it was a really calm experience and just as magical as giving birth naturally. I think when it comes to birth we always know in our heart what we want to do. You are entitled to request a section as maternal request without “fighting” for it if this is the path you end up wanting to go down. Alternatively there are specialist midwives who specialise in shoulder distoycia - I was told if I wanted a natural birth they would make sure that one of these midwives was present when I arrived at the labour ward.

i had a traumatic first delivery, baby was on her side so shoulders wedged. They eventually dragged her out with a kiwi and episiotomy. She wasn’t big either 6 lb 4. I dithered pregnant with my second I swung from c section to let’s give it a whirl. In the end the decision was out of my hands (ds tied himself in a breach knot at 33 weeks and was delivered my emergency c section. Honestly if I was to have a third I’d go straight for the c section