Shoulder dystocia

[chickpea1982]

Has anyone experienced shoulder dystocia when giving birth? If so, how bad was it?

I am 36 weeks pregnant with my third DC, and recently found out that I have gestational diabetes. The baby has been measuring really big for a while, and so they are concerned about the risk of her shoulders getting stuck during delivery. They want to induce labour between 39-40 weeks - hospital policy is to have the baby delivered by 40 weeks. They've told me that in 90% of cases shoulder dystocia is fine and manageable, but in 10% of cases the shoulders get stuck and it ends up with trauma to mother and baby.

I've got nothing against induction in principle, but having her at 39-40 weeks means she will be the absolute youngest in her year, whereas if I wait just one more day until 40+1 she will be a September baby!

Obviously I want to do what's best for her health, but I also feel like waiting a couple more days won't make any real difference. Or maybe I'm wrong and I should just do what they say, I don't know.

Does anyone have any similar experience to share?

I had shoulder dystocia with DS and he was only 8lb so hardly huge, though I am built quite small. We were already in theatre prepped for forceps/C-section as he was apparently stuck, and the SD occurred I guess in theatre - all a bit of a haze. I had my legs pulled up around my ears and was very confused. They did get him out in reasonable time but he had to be resuscitated - no lasting damage fortunately for him, but I had very bad tearing, lost of lot of blood etc. Obviously I would do everything to avoid it, but it is quite rare as mentioned above - and totally unpredictable - mine was not really a big baby, but we had had “cascade” of interventions following thick meconium when waters broke (I was well overdue though).

That’s really interesting about the head vs shoulder measurement @Amidlifecrisis - DS didn’t have a large head at all, nor was he especially heavy but he was something like 99 centile for length.

My youngest had shoulder dystocia. She was big 10lb2. They hadn’t mentioned the risk before.
Her head came out. Then the second push she didn’t move. Someone hit an alarm, about 20 people rushed in. Another contraction and another push and she came out ok. They had to take her away to check she hadn’t broken her arm or shoulder but in the end she was fine and so was I.
Sure it could have been worse but luckily wasn’t

In your situation I would ask to go 40+1 and c-section after growth scan, I wouldn't want a summer baby, I am one myself and I think it adds complications.
I was told my 2nd baby was at risk of shoulder dystocia because he was big, I had growth scans etc, I wanted to try naturally first but had a low tolerance for c-sect if need be. As it was, I gave birth to a big baby boy 9lb 8, vaginally with gas and air, and only a graze (I did keep screaming is he alright? Is he alright? After he was born though! Was terrified he was going to get stuck!) My first son was 8lb 7oz.. I'm only 5ft 2!

DD2 was 9lb 11oz. She was measuring large in all her growth scans and I went for an elective section (not for the risk of shoulder dystocia but because my first birth had been sufficiently traumatic and I did not want another vaginal delivery).

Thank God I had a section, as I have no idea how I'd have got her out otherwise, given her size and my small pelvis. The section was wonderful. Far better recovery for me than with my vaginal delivery.

I appreciate most sections are booked for the 39th week, so that may not assist you with your dates, but I would absolutely consider a section in your circumstances.

I've had shoulder dystocia experience, it wasn't pleasant, but having a big baby isn't always a major factor, it can be down to position more than anything else.

That said, my next baby was bloody massive. I was induced early because of this (and the growth scan was out by a whole lb - he was bigger than they expected) but the induction took 5 days and ended in an EMCS because his giant head didn't move down low enough. With hindsight I'd go for an EMCS over induction if in that situation again.

I just had a baby with shoulder dystocia. I was pushing for an early induction due to a previously large baby but they let me go over by 2 weeks and I gave birth to an even larger baby.

So many people rushed into the room, she came out blue and unresponsive. It was awful but she is here safe and sound.

I'd avoid it if possible!

I had GD and was prepped on positions for delivering in case of shoulder dystocia.
I was also told that there may be cause for forceps or c-section.

Anyway, I had a failed induction, didn't dilate and end up having a section anyway.

Been GD diagnosed since 17 weeks with my second and I've made it known since then that I will be having an elective section and this is planned for 39 weeks.

Speak to your diabetic midwife team - they should bring you in and discuss shoulder dystocia with you.