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Difficult births and developmental delay

30 replies

Pages · 11/10/2005 12:15

I was just wondering how many of you whose children have undiagnosed global developmental delay also had difficult births. My DS1 has GDD but no apparent genetic condition or explanation for the delay, apart from his developing absence seizures and being on epilim (although that could be a symptom of the delay rather than a cause).

I had an emergency ceasar after being induced but DS1's heart rate was dipping for several hours on and off (whenever I had a strong contraction) before they decided to operate, the delay in doing so being partly because it was a freakily busy night in the delivery suite and there was no room for us.

On questioning the possibility of the birth having caused the GDD I have since been told by several hospital staff (neurologist, birth afterthoughts midwife and a professor at the miscarriage clinic) that although his heart rate was dipping on and off, it was never dangerously low for too long (they said up to a minute is supposed to be okay) there was lots of oxygenation in between (they showed me the trace)and that because he was fine at birth with Agpar scores of 10 out of 10, fed easily etc, with no apparent problems until several months later (when the fits and low muscle tone were picked up on)it was not the birth that caused it. DS1 also had good muscle tone initially and this was recorded.

I would just welcome your comments/advice on this - it has always bugged me that maybe the hospital staff are protecting themselves. Btw, his CAT and MRI scans showed no abnormality.

(Meerkats, I know your delivery was a difficult one which is partly what got me thinking again. Do too much of that...)

OP posts:
StarlightMcKenzie · 05/02/2013 00:06

This is a ZOMBIE!!!

spottyblanket · 05/02/2013 00:16

Whoops - Oct 05!

lougle · 05/02/2013 07:10

Hi shrump, welcome to mumsnet.

Marylan · 12/08/2020 23:21

Hi Hun, I’m going exactly through similar thing with my daughter, is there any chance I can have your number and have a chat please thank you

elliejjtiny · 25/08/2020 22:40

I had a difficult birth with my youngest (failed induction and emergency c-section) who has gdd. Apgars of 6 and 7. I was told it didn't cause his gdd because they tested the umbilical cord (I think that's right) and it showed he wasn't starved of oxygen. He did have to be resuscitated with a bag and mask in theatre and he looked lifeless when they showed him to me 40 minutes after birth. They were going to put him on a ventilator but he suddenly perked up when he got to nicu so he was on cpap for about half an hour and then no help with breathing needed.

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