C/S or V/B after shoulder dystocia.

[HotKim]

its so hard because we dont have a crystal ball to see wat will happen!

Hi Blanche!! At last, someone in the same predicament as me!! (not exactly something to be happy about but you know what I mean!!)

I've been meaning to discuss the advantages, if any, of weight prediciton using 3D ultrasounds. Is this something you have considered?? The accuracy of sonographic weight testing is about 60% according to what I have read but you only need to look through the forums to see just how wrong they can get it. (Not trying to put you off here just discussing.)

Yes, if I had a crystal ball that would make this soooooo much easier. It's only since getting pregnant with this one that I have really delved into what happended to Master4 and I am shocked at how lucky we are that he has no residual effects of his BPI. Whilst, I could certainly handle an injury of his kind happening to this baby, I couldn't forgive myself if it were something worse.

How has your DD fared with treatment of her BPI? What kind was it? Master4 had Erb's Palsy (AKA Brachial Plexus Palsy). No movement in the left arm until 6 weeks old. In recent weeks, after reading more into it, I have thanked God it wasn't any worse.

I was considering inducement for this one but again, couldn't make up my mind which was the better of two evils, C/S or inducement?? Neither negates the possiblity of SD or even BPI.

[Captain]

Hi Hotkim

I'm in the same position but I have been unable to find a dr that will support me with a vag birth. I've already been booked for a C-section.

I guess for me I've decided I can't take the risk. DD has a right arm BPI, she had nerve grafts and will probably be having tendon transfers in the next year. So seeing the injury every day has made the decision a bit easier for me to deal with. I don't know if I could cope with the guilt if it happened again.

Good luck with making your decision, I know it isn't an easy one.

Blanche, I really hope things work out for your birth.

[HotKim]

Captain, hug for you and your daughter, she has obviously suffered alot because of it.

That's the same reason I am leaning toward a c/s. I think we were lucky the first time and that we won't be as lucky again and I'm not prepared to risk the baby. Like you, I'm scared of making the wrong decison.

Today I had an ante-natal appoinment and spoke to a midwife who gave me a really good talk about the risks. In the end she said that I just need to put my trust and my faith in whatever decision we choose. She's right though, if I don't, it won't matter what I come to it won't work out if I don't have my heart in it.

[*EmJa*]

my DD had brachial plexus palsy/erbs palsy too she hasnt had any surgery and we have been told she wont need any surgery in the near future, we just had to do excerises everyday. i think we were pretty lucky too as it hasnt really affected her that much she crawled at 8 mnths and walked at 10mnths.

they are doing a scan in a few wks to check this bubs size and i know they are not accurate but it will give an estimate and i dont feel as big as i did with DD. i really am more terrified at having a c/s than a vaginal delivery and im praying that SD or BPI will not happen again, i wasnt active at all in labour with DD cos i was induced so im hoping this time i will be able to be more active.

[HotKim]

Blanche, our son hasn't needed surgery either, just lots of physio until he was cleared at 18 months old. To look at him now, you would never know he'd been injured in such a way. He will start playing rugby (Union) in a few months so I'm keen to have him looked at again just to make sure there isn't any problem with him doing sport.

Like you, I was much more afraid of having a C/S than a vaginal delivery, fear of the unknown mostly. I was able to ask my midwife yesterday of the benefits of 3D scans but she didn't have any relevant info on them.

Best of luck with whatever delivery you choose.

[*EmJa*]

Thats great to hear ur DS will be starting rugby soon!

i wish u the best of luck with everything and hope u have a happy and healthy bub, take care

[muming]

Hi Girls,

I just found this thread when I did a search for shoulder dystocia. I too am in the same boat. I had a natural first birth, and SD with the second. You can read about the details in my thread, "any midwives with experience with shoulder dystocia" (something like that).

Anyway I have found it difficult to get support for a natural VD with the OB i have been seeing, and another I saw at the hospital clinic the other day. I am not getting the support that I need to go into this birth as positive as can be. I have also read all of the pubmed articles, and that isn't very encouraging either! I have booked into see Christine Tippett for a consultation to get her opinion also. I have organised a Doula, who will hopefully help me to have a "relaxed" labour, which might help with a good delivery.

I would be very interested to hear how you are going and what you decide to do. All the best with your decisions.

Here's to safe, happy and healthy deliveries!!!

Ingxx

[HotKim]

muming.

First, I wish you and bubs a safe delivery whichever method you choose. I do hope you can find support from a Dr and the doula.

After giving it lots of thought, we've decided to have a c-section. Like you I feel I did as much research as I could (there isn't much support out there) and made the best decision I could come to based on that. I've really felt that it was a gamble all along and all I had to decide was if I was comfortable with the risks. 'Fraid not but that's just me.

Tomorrow I will be meeting a doctor to discuss the procedure and book in.

Did your child recover well from the dystocia?? Do the have any residual effects?

Oh, Blanche (who posted above) had her boy today. From all accounts everything seems to have gone well for her and baby Jack. Well done Blanche!

[muming]

Hi Hotkim,

Thanks for your good wishes.
Sierra didn't have any permanent damage. We were very lucky I guess. After about 7 weeks she was pretty much back to normal. Her clavicle heeled well and her nerve damage repaired. We did notice the other day however that her scapula on the damaged side sticks out a little bit compared to the other. When she runs too, her arm flings out to the side a little. Nothing to complain about though.

I wish you all the best with the CS. At least you have made a decision! Half of the agony is trying to decide what to do. I'm sure once you're little angel is popped on your chest, it wont matter how he/she got there, but that they are safe and healthy.

Ingx