Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Shoulder dystocia

157 replies

Mon2468 · 24/02/2022 14:46

Hi all, been having growth scans due to slight polyhydramnios and size of baby, they believe he is larger than average and have offered me an induction at 39 weeks, currently 38+5 to prevent shoulder dystocia which has got me nervous. First baby and was hoping to go naturally which they said they don't have a problem with but said about the risks of nerve damage/brain damage etc if shoulder dystocia did happen so it's made me worry. Just wondering if this happened to anyone and all was ok?

OP posts:
Mmmmmmbop90 · 26/02/2022 22:43

Induction increases the risk of shoulder dystocia

Growth scans are notoriously inaccurate

I would focus on avoiding induction and getting baby in best position for birth using spinning babies

Spacecadetagain · 26/02/2022 22:44

@Mon2468 - I would never want to scare anyone but it was horrible , there was no indication it Would happen as I’d had two previous normal deliveries but in fairness he looked like a nightclub bouncer when he was born ! I dread to think what would have happened if I’d been left to go into Labour naturally . I’m glad you’ve come to a decision, believe me it will be a nicer calmer experience , I hope your DS stays put until you get your plan organised with the hospital

Original poster
Mon2468 · 26/02/2022 22:55

@Spacecadetagain that's how I think I'm lucky to have been told there is a risk as many of you wouldn't have and most ended up traumatic 😞 so think it would be daft not to go with which will hopefully be safest option x

OP posts:
Hamilfan · 26/02/2022 22:59

Honestly, I would go for a C section

My DS was born by ventouse -shoulder dystosia and pretty much stuck!

Had DD 11 months later by planned c section. No arguments, it was what it was

Original poster
Mon2468 · 26/02/2022 23:06

@Hamilfan how was your planned section?

OP posts:
BrownOrange · 26/02/2022 23:16

@Mon2468 hope the discussion with the midwife and birth goes well. The main thing is you are happy with the decision.

Spacecadetagain · 26/02/2022 23:18

@Mon2468 forewarned is forearmed as they say - you are absolutely doing the right thing 😊
With my next pregnancy two years later I was carefully monitored and induced at 37 weeks .As it happened it was so quick I almost gave birth to dd in the corridor being rushed through from the ward to delivery as I went from 0-fully dilated in half an hour, four easy pushes and 8lb 3 dd was born . Two midwives were on hand ready in case of a repeat performance of DS but it was a very different experience . I’ve got a huge pelvis (apparently) but I think DS just had a set of shoulders to rival giant haystacks

Original poster
Mon2468 · 26/02/2022 23:21

Thank you both 🥰

OP posts:
electrocautery · 26/02/2022 23:58

I've still got post traumatic stress from a SD birth. And that was ten years ago. I'd get the section offered in a heartbeat

SmellyOldOwls · 27/02/2022 00:20

@Mmmmmmbop90

Induction increases the risk of shoulder dystocia

Growth scans are notoriously inaccurate

I would focus on avoiding induction and getting baby in best position for birth using spinning babies

Baby with polyhydramnios is going to find it difficult to engage no matter how much crawling round they house on your hands and knees you do.

Been there, OP. Get a section. You're not going to be an all natural painkiller free water birth warrior mama. This is a high risk situation, the advice in the positive birth stories book is not meant for you. Listen to your doctors.

SmellyOldOwls · 27/02/2022 00:30

@Tetherless

This is Going to Hurt isn’t a documentary though - it’s a tv drama.

Lots of bad things can happen in childbirth. Things can go wrong in c sections too. The OP should read the actual stats and evidence on this - there’s loads of scaremongering on this thread.

Things can go wrong in c sections - for the mum. The risk of a vaginal birth like this is for mum and baby. But mainly baby.
Mattieandmummy · 27/02/2022 05:43

@Mon2468 I'm glad you are going to ask for a c section, it's just not worth the risk of doing it naturally in my opinion. Hope everything goes well for you.

numberthirtytwowindsorgardens · 27/02/2022 07:01

Two sections here, OP, one emergency, one elective. The elective was seven weeks ago and I am fully recovered - it was a lovely, safe experience and both baby and I are (and have been ever since her birth) in excellent health. Don't be scared. Thinking of you - I'm sure your midwife will agree to a section (no one even asked me why I wanted one, they just ticked the box!), but if you meet with any resistance, remember that NICE guidelines say you are entitled to one for any reason, including simple maternal preference.

Very best to you and your baby Flowers

BellatrixOnABadDay · 27/02/2022 08:55

Things can go wrong in c sections too.

Are elective sections being distinguished from emergency sections here?

I agree that things can go wrong in c-sections but the chances overall are small- and the risks with a planned section are very small indeed- when carried out in ideal circumstances- not in labour- no emergency situation that has occurred during labour which has necessitated a c-section- the risks are tiny. Obviously if it's an emergency, things have started to go wrong and be riskier anyway.

I would definitely a million times over choose the tiny risks of a c-section (for me, I didn't even want to attempt a VB. But if there is increased likelihood of shoulder dystocia, it seems the only sensible choice!).

Good luck OP- hope all works out well when you speak to the midwife.

ExactlyThis · 27/02/2022 09:17

I had a planned section 2nd time around and it’s literally number 1 life experience. I loved loved loved it and was driving after 2-3 weeks, recovery was amazing.

FavouriteFortnight · 27/02/2022 09:27

My baby who was delivered by ELCS (to avoid the risk of SD) developed sepsis and meningitis. No-one really knows why, but it’s theoretically possible that with was linked to the delivery.

So it’s possible that in avoiding one risk we encountered a different one.

But like I was trying to explain with my sharks and coconuts analogy before, I just considered us unlucky to have got an infection whereas if we’d have had SD I would have blamed myself. It’s not entirely rational risk assessment but it’s about having to live with the consequences of your decisions.

Choppingonions · 27/02/2022 09:56

It's highly unlikely sepsis and meningitis are the result of ELCS. Highly unlikely. Shoulder dystocia is a much more rational risk with clear links to the situation.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/02/2022 10:07

Surely the sepsis would've followed the meningitis which couldn't have been associated with delivery?
Awful , absolutely terrifying FavouriteFortnight but how it have been linked to a section?

Hamilfan · 27/02/2022 19:16

@Mon2468 my C-section was a dream in comparison to my vaginal birth.

It was calm, I knew what was happening and even though I was sore for a couple of weeks it was no worse that how I was after having DS as I had a whole load of stitches with him. My recovery was a lot quicker and I don't regret it for a second

Good luck with your birth Smile

FavouriteFortnight · 28/02/2022 10:23

The meningitis followed the sepsis. And no-one knows how he got an infection, complete medical mystery - as I say it’s theoretically possible that infections can be a result of a c-section, so we can’t rule it out. He also had breathing problems which they think were linked to him basically taking a long time to acclimatise to the outside world, which could be linked to him being delivered before he was ready.

He’s fine now, but he spent a few weeks in NICU.

I’m not trying to put the OP off an ELCS, and I still think it was the right choice for us - basically just trying to say there are no guaranteed outcomes whatever you do.

Original poster
Mon2468 · 01/03/2022 18:53

Hi all just an update, have section planned for this Thursday 😬 nerves have well & truly kicked in! Any words of wisdom. X

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 01/03/2022 19:31

Best of luck OP, hope all goes smoothly for you and baby. If you think of it please do pop back to the thread with an update afterwards, i love a birth announcement Smile

Original poster
Mon2468 · 01/03/2022 19:57

@NameChange30 thank you ❣️ will do

OP posts:
BellatrixOnABadDay · 01/03/2022 20:30

@Mon2468 excellent news- wishing you all the best for Thursday!

Some tips:

In a weeks time it will all be over. My experience of planned sections were that they were lovely and calm, so try to focus on that if you can. Not really the same level of uncertainties/ not knowing what is going to happen compared to labour- it's a big positive!

Peppermint tea for the trapped wind afterwards!

Big knickers that will be comfy over the incision.

Listen to what you are told about doing the post section exercises if you can. I'm lazy with exercise at the best of times and couldn't be bothered to think about it when I was breastfeeding and had babies glued to me all day but I do wonder if I'll pay for it years down the line 😬

If I think of any more I will post again 😁 but tbh I found them pretty easy so can't really think of much other than listen to your body, don't push yourself too hard afterwards in the first few weeks, and that way you should hopefully make an excellent speedy recovery. I walked a couple of miles pushing a double buggy only a week to ten days after my second section and whilst fine, my incision hurt a bit and I was really achey for a couple of days after. Don't do that!

Original poster
Mon2468 · 01/03/2022 20:32

@BellatrixOnABadDay thank you, means a lot hearing your experience. Just super nervous as a first time mum plus never had surgery b4, but I suppose he needs to come out eventually so no point worrying about it - easier said than done 😂 x

OP posts: