Really upset!!

[Mousesmummy]

Need to rant ladies - sorry!
Went to the hospital today to ask if I could be induced before the usual term+14.
I am currently term +2.
My worry is that having had two previous large babies (both 9,12) this one will also be big if allowed to go over as with the others.
The second birth was awful - induction ending with shoulder dystocia and forceps delivery - I was a mess afterwards!

Basically they said 'no - go away and wait'.
I was in tears in the car park as they just all seem to be saying "stop worrying" but it is easy for them to say it -they don't have to get it OUT!!!

I appreciate that even with an early induction, things might not go swimmngly, but it seems to me that the risk of induction are the same if they did it tomorrow - or next weekend???

I just want a chance of a birth that is not vershadowed by my terror of what is happening! It seems that so many woman are offered elcs/induction/epidurals etc yet I am being overlooked because I HAVE done it before?

Just feeling a bit down and scared - no real point to this thread!!!

I'm not surprised you are scared. Did they look at your baby's size when you had your last scan?

I've read on here that tweaking nipples can help bring things on a bit.

Have done EVERYTHING!!!
Midwife seems to think that because I have delivered a 9,12 vaginally, I will be able to cope - which of course I will, but I am just terrified of the pain again.
I requested an epidural last time on entering the hospital but wa constantly told 'when someone is free' and then 'oh it's too late now'
Am just dreading it - sorry to moan!

Is it possible you could book an emergency appointment with your own DR explaining how much distress your in and see if he can get on to the consultant and force them into seeing you?
I don't think a midwife has the authority so say if someone needs to be induced so your going to have to go higher if you want results.
Maybe mentioning that you keeping personal track of each and every medical professional and the content of conversation and should such problems arise due to them not listening to your concerns or paying attention to your previous history you'll be ready to raise hell.

Moan away, they should be taking your concerns seriously.
Do you have a bossy vocal friend that will help?

What is it with these fucking epidurals . I had the one about the anaesthetist being too busy. I mean too busy to anasthetise a patient who needs it. Its neglect. i agree, go higher, keep on making a noise girl and get what you want. Cry in the GP`s room it often helps, not that I do it on purpose but it makes them see how upset you are. Good luck xx

I've had a shoulder dystocia too (DS was 9lb 2) and was refused a vaginal birth after that resulting in me having 2 ECS. My consultant was very insistant on this point.

I think you should speak to your midwife/consultant again. As far as I know shoulder dystocia is one of the things midwives and doctors dread facing during a labour.

Sorry if this is harsh, I don't mean to scare you. I just don't understand why with your history your care team are happy to let you go 14+.

Regarding the elusive epidural: this probably won't be helpful but I managed to get an epidural despite originally being told I couldn't as I wasn't in established labour (I'd "only" has 7 hours of hyperstimulated contractions due to a bad reaction to prostin) by screaming/howling at the top of my voice, rocking back and forth and smacking myself on the head with the palm of my hand for several minutes. In the short term it distracted from the unbearable pain too.

The advice about making sure professionals know you're recording their advice is a great one. Take a notepad and pen and start the page with I explained the following concerns....[read them to GP/midwife/consultant/whoever] then write "they responded as follows" and take your time over your notes.

You need to research optimal positions to resolve shoulder dystocia - there are positions etc that you can adopt for them to get baby out without cutting/tearing and forceps etc.

I am surprised though that you haven't been offered a c-section!!!! I would be demanding and urgent 2nd opinion!

My 2nd baby was the largest - 10lb 6, then 9,2 (2 weeks earlier though) and 9,10 so hopefully this one may be smaller

Thanks everyone - am feeling better knowing I am not over-reacting!
Don't know why they wont listen??? Seems to me I am too bloody polite for my own good - am going to ring my docs tom and get my mum to come with me! DH is as hopeless as me I reckon!!

MW today said "oh if you can do 9,12 with bit of G&A,u'll be fine" - hey just don't seem to 'get it'!! Yes I lived, I coped etc but it was bloody horrendous and I don't want to do it again!!

Anyhow, am off to bed and will ring GP in the morning.

Btw, pmsl at the smacking of head!! I remember with DD2 looking around the room thinking what I could grab to hit myself with so they would listen to me

Nite ladies xx and thank you

(sound like Gordon Brown!)

And list your concerns about longterm health too - I've found they often ignore possible longterm health issues such as incontinence from tears/forceps because these are seen as collaterol damage and don't always show up properly for months or years after.

Well done for pushing them and keep at it!

Very suprised that they are letting you overdue.

I had an 8.5lb born on due date and a 9lber born 11 days early and have been told that this time I will be brought in at 40wks unless it has already happened by then.

Have you had any growth scans or been measured as big for dates?

My 28 wk growth scan showed only a little above average but am already meauring 3cm bigger than I shouldbe.

I agree with lovethesea you need to talk about longterm health, my friend was allowed to go over by 2 wks and had a 10.5lb er and is now not allowed to have future babies naturally and is having physio for incontinence.

How about contacting PALS at your hospital to see if they can intervene?

If not book a lovely treat for yourself- you're bound to go into labour and miss it!

Ina May Gaskin recommends hands and knees position for SD. Google "gaskin maneovere" - might be harder though if you had epidural.

You need to be persistent, refuse to leave until they give you an induction date.

Some women demand csections for NO medical reason and get them! Get mny point lol.

I had a 10lber at term with my second birth, along with a massive placenta and pph. I was a state. Third time I demanded induction at term +8 which I got (baby measured smaller on the scan so 8 days I was happy with), however they wanted me to go 2 weeks over. I had to fight for that appointment.

This time I won't fight, I'll tell them when it's happening, if they refuse I'll switch consultant. 4th baby and one thing I've learnt is to get what you want from your birth sometimes you have to be clear and assertive.

Good luck with the consultant battle and the birth.x

Update ladies . . . met my consultant who was LOVELY!!!! Wish I'd seen him weeks ago!!!
I just cried my eyes out (very unlike me!! but he was so kind to me it just sort of came out!!)
He explained how the risks of shoulder dystocia reoccuring are increased by induction (hence their reluctance) however agreed that my concerns were valid blah blah blah.
He also said that to 'guarantee a smaller baby, I would have had to have been induced at 36 weeks, so too late now! And that the growth between now and next week would be so minimal as to be insignificant really.

So I am going in on Sunday morning to be induced and he said the team will be on the 'lookout' for any signs of distress 'early doors' (so to speak!).

So generally am now feeling much more confident about it all despite the fear

Thanks again for all your supportive words xxx

Good luck over the next few days. x

the end is nigh then! good luck, looking forward to hearing lovely positive birth story