baby shoulders getting stuck

[clairemf]

had a scan yesterday at 39 weeks and consultant mentioned that shoukders could get stuck as baby big am scared now

I think consultant is wrong to even mention this to you, was he trying to get you to have a section? Many women deliver big babies with no problems at all, sometimes small babies get their shoulders stuck, just because a baby is big doesn't man that its shoulders will have diffiiculty delivering. Skilled midwives are trained to deal with shoulder dystocia and there are a number of positions they can get a labouring woman into to dislodge the shoulders, often the mum doesn't know anything about it.
I would also say don't worry too much about the size, you would not believe the amount of women who are told their babaies are going to be big and then deliver an 'average' sized baby. hope this allays your fears x

I was told with my 1st that he was "well over 9lbs" and that I needed to be induced or else I "would never be able to deliver naturally and would most likely need a cs". Ds was 7lb13oz.
I was 13 days over so was happy to be induced for being overdue. But they frightened me with the big baby story when they didn't need to. As quad says lots of women do deliver big babies with no problem.

If consultant is that concerned s/he should refer you to a midwife who can talk to you about positions for birth which may help prevent shoulder dystocia.

There is lots of information on the homebirth website.

Quadrofiendiababe - thank you xx

Try not to worry too much about being told its a big baby. I was told to expect a 10lb + baby & he came out at 8lb 13- large enough but not as big as suggested. Think someone has already said but the MW are very good at getting the shoulders through & there are also a variety of maniplutative moves that can be performed if needs be to release the shoulders. Its worth having a chat to your MW of one at the hospital about this as my experience was they tend to be unimpressed by consultants saying very unhelpful things to mothers to be & worrying them- I am sure they will be able to put your mind at rest.
Good Luck

millysimmons - thanks

I used to deal with clinical negligence cases to do with shoulder dystocia (which I hasten to say are not common and the cases I dealt with were nearly all about 20 years old). There are a variety of steps that the midwives can and should do if and when it happens and they are not as radical as a cs. If it does happen then the consultant would be called to manage the situation and a cs would be the last resort if they needed to protect you or the baby.

There is every chance your baby will move before delivery and whilst I believe in informing the patient I think this guy has probably worried you silly. Good advice from others on this thread and I would definitely speak to one of the midwives to put your mind at rest. good luck x