Anyone have any experience of shoulder dystocia

[Pootle78]

Its been written on my notes (at 37+2 current weight predicted 9lb 4oz) due to go back for stretch and sweep and consultant appointment at 38+2. Midwife doesn't think they'll let me go much further and I just googled shoulder dystocia and wished I hadn't!

Any real life stories out there?

Thanks

Hmmm you do know Dr Google is more inclined to terrify than reassure?

I have worked with infants with this shoulder injury-
firstly, it is almost impossible to predict what infant will be born with it, though birth weight is highly correlated with it.
Then approx 50% will resolve spontaneously in the first 6 months with no long term effects.
Of the others, unlike 10,20 years ago surgery has progressed to the point where there can be little if any residual injury.
HTH

I don,t understand - do they think it's a risk for you? It happened at DD2s birth, she was 4.5kg which is just under 10lb, I think.

No, more concerned of risk to my new born. Dr wrote it on notes but never mentioned it to me during my appointment.

I do. What do you want to know?

Sorry night, just re-read your post. They are concerned baby will be too big to get out, that was mentioned 3 weeks ago and then when I had scan this week have said they'll try a s+s to try and get things going. Am secretly hoping the size of your feet against the size of your pelvis is true as am a size 9 so hope there'll be enough room to get it out without any problems!

Thanks hecate
What is it?
What are the risks to baby?
What are recovery times?
What complications can it cause (now and future)?
Is there anything I can do to help (or is it too late now)?

I had it with DD, though she was under 8lbs. It's an emergency but midwives are v v well trained to deal with it. It was awful but she was completely fine-they did the McRoberts manoeuvre and hoiked her out in seconds. There are cases where children are injured but I would guess it's extremely unlikely if they've already flagged you as a potential for having it-they'll be watching like hawks. Keep as active as possible in birth and avoid being on your back.

I had a SD delivery with dd2, she was in a wired position and got stuck on the way out, he collar bone against my pelvic bone. Ended up delivering with the help of many, many hospital staff and my ankles by my knees (McRoberts delivery). Ver scary at the time and dd2 ended up with a broken clavicle and lots of bruises (see pic on profile). She was 9lb 6.5oz and recovered quickly with no lingering problems. She's now a very robust, giant tall, healthy five year old.

Not sure there was anything I could've done to stop it, apart from being less overweight. Dd1 was only 7lb 2.5oz, but was back to back so I had a much longer labour with forceps delivery, whereas dd3 (who's birth I was dreading) was 4 hours (compared to 45 and 16) and did it just with g&a, she was also fairly big at 9lb 4.5oz.

What is it? - It's when the shoulder gets stuck behind the pelvic bone during delivery
What are the risks to baby? bruising, distress, broken collar bone, brachial plexus injury (klumpkes paralysis, erbs palsy), lack of oxygen
What are recovery times? varies
What complications can it cause (now and future)? erbs palsy, klumpkes paralysis
Is there anything I can do to help (or is it too late now)? make sure that all staff are aware this has been flagged up as a possibility. consider CS. Make sure all staff are up to date on their SD procedures.

here

Oh bless her boris did you have to stay in hospital long with her? Glad all was ok on the end.

Thank you hecate think I'll print that off and add to my mat notes and take to my consultant appointment next week.

I'd better prep dh on this too!

I'm all up for an active birth, I really want to labour in water if they'll let me, I know I'll have to get out to push but it worked well doing that with ds. Sounds like I may need to be prepared to put my body into all sorts of positions to get this little weeble out!!!!

Thanks

It is an emergency situation and, knowing what I know now, I would have gone for the c-section, which was offered as DD was breech for most of pregnancy though successfully turned through ECV.

DD and I were OK (though I needed a reasonable amount of repair work), but hers was a home water birth with just one midwife in attendance. Poor woman!

For me, getting out of the pool with DDs head born but her body stuck, and (instinctively) getting onto my hands and knees did the trick. I suspect my mw still has nightmares about the what-ifs and could-have-beens.

DD is now a healthy, happy 1 year old who had no problems at all. I am fully recovered but didn't enjoy my suturing and had some probs with my pelvic floor for the first 6-9 months after the birth.

Oooooo, this has been my secret worry ever since I saw it on OBEM in the spring.
Due DC3 in just over 3 weeks. Went 10 days overdue with both DSs. Was induced with pessary and very straight-forward deliveries, no stitches pr anything. Managed to stay active/upright for both. They were 9lbs 7oz and 10lbs 11oz.

Now, the problem I have is that neither of the boys measured big at their scans. I was told they were 7/8 lbs. I know that scans are notoriously "out" when it comes to predicting weights.

But DC3 has measured big, particularly at head-DH and his mum have massive heads!

I also look like I'm about to have twins, huge bump-again! But the hospital are still saying I will have to go to 40+10 before they will induce! I'm really worried that the baby will get stuck/have shoulder dystocia....what should I do? I do shared care, so only see my GP for ante-natal apps. Will be at the hospital to see midwives/consultant at 39 weeks to book induction for 40+10.

What should I say or do? I'm convinced this is going to happen to me, and baby will get stuck, something will go wrong.....

Be honest with them. Tell them you are worried. Ask them to talk you through their SD procedures. Ask them what training they had and when they last had it. Ask them to note your concerns.

Don't worry about offending, they'll understand why you're asking and want to put your mind at ease.

Don't let them fob you off with well meaning reassurances of oh, it can't happen, oh it'll never happen, oh don't worry, you'll be alright. They did that to me.

Tell them that you appreciate the reassurance, but you prefer to be prepared. It can and does happen and you want to talk it through and have it noted.

I will be honest, I won't be having a vb again in a hurry. BUT dd is a happy healthy little girl. Her erbs palsy went away within a couple of hours and the docs stitched me up fine.

There is a bit of scar tissue down there, but all is in working order.

The fact your doc has noted these concerns is a good thing. If they realise you are at risk they can help you lower the risks during the birth.

What is it, specifically, you want to know?

OK, thanks. Will make a list of worries and ask them at 39 weeks.

Interesting that on your link Hecate they didn't even mention the Gaskin manoeuvre, which has got to be the simplest way of resolving shoulder dystocia (i.e. turning woman onto hands and knees).

On Youtube I saw a video of a waterbirth with a shoulder dystocia, went ok.