C/S or V/B after shoulder dystocia.

[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

[*EmJa*]

hi ladies

had my little man on tuesday..i did end up going with a c/s as in the doctors scared me saying if i was to have a vag delivery and SD happened again it could be very dangerous and that bub was going to be just as big as DD. said it was upto me but would highly recommend a c/s..kept saying it was my choice and asked if i could live with myself if it happened again, so i got really worried and thought to myself no i just couldnt live with myself if my little boy got hurt....so we decided to go with the c/s

well in the end baby Jack only ended up weighing 7pounds 12.5oz and was 48cms long hc 36cms i feel quiet dissapointed that i probably could have gone with a vag delivery as he wasnt very big in the end, but im also very happy he is here and healthy. i am recovering well from c/s but its hard as it takes longer to recover and i cant even lift my 17mnth old DD

How did ur appt go Kim?

[HotKim]

Hey Blanche,

Jack is gorgeous! He looks so peaceful. And six days already!!

What a shame that you feel pushed into your decision about the c/s... Admittedly the doctors are right, it is your decision but it is also one that shouldn't be made lightly. Like you, I couldn't bear if something happened with this bubs, particularly if it was worse than how Neven fared, but I feel I've researched it as well as I can and made an informed decision. More than that, I feel complete confidence that this is what I want and I don't think anyone can take that away.

In the end though Blanche, SD isn't about size, it's about positioning. Even babies who are Jack's size can suffer from SD. The highest risk factor for SD is if it has happened to you previously (according to my research) so both you and I have every right to be worried.

My appointment with the doctor went well and I have the date for my c/s. It's weird knowing when bubs will arrive as I've had to wait it out with the other three kids but it's given hubby and I a definite deadline to have everything done by. This weekend alone, we have painted the cot, picked up a bassinet that I made a few reapirs to and it is now in the wash, and we've picked up some furniture for the baby. I also started packing my hospital bag!!

I'm not looking forward to my recovery after the c/s but we are trying to organise for me to have someone at home for a couple of weeks afterward. With three schoolies and an infant to look after I'm gonna need some help!