Would you have a UC after a shoulder dystocia?

[shells_n_cheese]

I am not yet pregnant (that I know of--currently in 2ww after an "oops" on DH's part)--not even 100% sure I will try UC this time, but I am kicking around ideas for birth #3.

1st birth: OBGYN, induction for "postdates", labeled as CPD/FTP and had the c/s.
2nd birth: Midwife, HBAC.

My 2nd birth ended with a 4 minute SD. Horrifying... DD born limp and blue, not breathing, resuscitation.

Before birth #2, a part of me thought about maybe UC with #3... but after the SD, I am scared to even think about it. My DD was STUCK. We tried all sorts of positions--McRoberts, Gaskin, and many other maneuvers. If my MW wasn't there... I don't know what would of happened.

Looking back, when pregnant with DD, I had this gut feeling something "bad" was going to happen... I couldn't shake it. And when I went into labor, I was immediately afraid and wanted someone there. I truly feel my maternal instinct kicked in. I just KNEW I needed help.

Yes, it could have been related to my position and/or my DD's, but still... sometimes I wonder if I really do have a smaller or odd shaped pelvis like my OBGYN said.

A part of me is even afraid to try HB with a MW again (though my MW says she would be more than willing to take me on again). I worry I will be tense and anxious (as will DH) when I am pushing.

Have any of you UC'd after a prior SD birth? How did it go the next time around? Has anyone had SD during their UC birth? How did you resolve it? What happened??

TIA!

[onelilguysmommy]

I think in that position, I'd either have a mw there (and I am only comfy birthing alone) or do the UC with a MW in another room thing if I really wanted a UC for mental ease. Was your baby especially large?

[Serenyd]

I would probably get the midwife back, if I knew there was a chance of it happening again.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...68&postcount=1

[channelofpeace]

Originally Posted by shells_n_cheese

My 2nd birth ended with a 4 minute SD. Horrifying... DD born limp and blue, not breathing, resuscitation.

Before birth #2, a part of me thought about maybe UC with #3... but after the SD, I am scared to even think about it. My DD was STUCK. We tried all sorts of positions--McRoberts, Gaskin, and many other maneuvers. If my MW wasn't there... I don't know what would of happened. !

No. I would only UC if I were low-risk and with a SD that severe, you are not low-risk. I am glad that your baby was okay, are you doing alright? What you described sounds terrifying

[TubbyBubby]

no way

Never. I experienced the same thing with my daughter and I don't think she'd be alive if it weren't for my OB who 1) recognized what was going on immediately and 2) delivered my daughter fast and furious. She went from barely crowning to out in one big push and pull! It was painful and I tore but my daughter came out beautifully, no nerve damage, and APGAR of 7 at birth. After that, any other children we have will be hospital-born and MW/OB assisted.

[at_the_hip]

I'm not a UC'er because I have PPH but if that weren't the case I definitely would have! But I recognise that I am high risk and I need the assistance of my mw to have a healthy birth. She knows what I need, gives me the space I need and freedom to birth...gives me the help to ensure I don't have a severe bleed and require hospital.

With a SD as you describe, the best person IMO to take your personal risk seriously and be on top of this possibility in your next birth would be the mw you used and is willing to see you again!

[nikirj]

(Drawn in by the thread title)

No, no, no. This is one of the few things that I wouldn't even really consider UCing after, because you don't have enough time to call for help if it's happening and it would be REALLY hard to resolve without help. I haven't done a UC because I'm more comfortable with a MW, but I don't have any big objection to it in general...I just think this is a really dangerous scenario.

[LisainCalifornia]

Absolutely NOT. I did have one, but thanks to a very skilled and compassionate OB, I have my 15 year old son here now. I thank goodness for that every single day.

[cathicog]

I would homebirth with the midwife you had before. Could have been just a fluke, or you might really have some sort of pelvic problem that would require help as the baby is coming out. Either way, I would not UC....you really should have someone there who can monitor what is going on from the outside. I do know someone who UC'd when thier instincts told them not to, and the baby did get stuck and was eventually born, but never breathed on thier own. Once the head is born, you really only have few minutes to get the baby out, before secondary apnea sets in, and then the baby won't/can't breathe...I would use the midwife you had before...especially since she seems OK with it...it was probably a fluke.

[babycatcher01]

Havent posted in a while guys hi! I have to ask a few questions. Have you have regular chiropractic care through out your pregnancy? Do you know of any deformities reguading your pelvis? Do you have any negitive input? I will share a birth with you.

A mother I attened lives four and a half hours away, two and a half and cross a bridge to a major medical facility. With her first birth she pushed for hours before she would call it quits, baby was fine she was getting tired. So we transported and they sectioned her. Two years later she is having her second at home. long labor long pushing, the worst sd I ever saw tried everything like you did still no baby, got her on her hands and knees again and baby came after the arm was fished out. Her third baby came with out a hitch and everyone was thinking of the time before. Shes short 4'10 size 6 shoe.

I guess what Im trying to say is you know what is best, just because you had a sd dosnt mean it will happen again, do not let your mind to manifest it to reality. If you do not feel safe were you are ,no matter were or whome you are with, it will not be safe. Ask baby, how do you want to be born? Look into yourself and do what feels right.

[Rockies5]

Originally Posted by babycatcher01

=
I guess what Im trying to say is you know what is best, just because you had a sd dosnt mean it will happen again, do not let your mind to manifest it to reality. If you do not feel safe were you are ,no matter were or whome you are with, it will not be safe.

amen. Just here to wish you peace in your decisions. I have no idea what I would do, having never experienced sd (my own or anyone elses) or the fears that come from it

[KristaDJ]

Originally Posted by babycatcher01

I guess what Im trying to say is you know what is best, just because you had a sd dosnt mean it will happen again, do not let your mind to manifest it to reality. If you do not feel safe were you are ,no matter were or whome you are with, it will not be safe. Ask baby, how do you want to be born? Look into yourself and do what feels right.

That's pretty much what Uc is about to me. ITA

[shells_n_cheese]

Thank you everyone for your answers. I am still undecided at this point, and probably have more time to think about it--unless when I POAS in a week it comes up positive...

I probably won't go the UC route. But HB with my MW is not out of the question!

Thanks again!!

[channelofpeace]

Originally Posted by babycatcher01

I guess what Im trying to say is you know what is best, just because you had a sd dosnt mean it will happen again, do not let your mind to manifest it to reality. If you do not feel safe were you are ,no matter were or whome you are with, it will not be safe. Ask baby, how do you want to be born? Look into yourself and do what feels right.

I would like some clarification, if you don't mind. Are you suggesting that mothers who have had recurring SD somehow made it happen because they were concerned about it happening again?

[zoebird]

no, i don't think she was saying that they are creating it by thought. i can't answer for her, but contextually, i read that it is more likely to reoccur with women who do have a pelvic or other issue that would naturally recreate that scenario.

for people who do not have such a situation, then the first occurance doesn't automatically mean that there will be subsequent occurances. and from that, that the fear shouldn't be the deciding factor in whether or not to have a midwife.

for my own part, i think that this would require a great deal of thought, of contemplation. i would have to explore all of the reasons why it occurred the first time--whether it was a unique, unlikely to repeat situation, or whether it is a situation of my anatomy or what have you that would likely repeat the SD.

if i felt that i was likely to repeat, i would definitely go with the MW. and, as a matter of caution, i still might go with the midwife, particularly if i felt any hesitation or concern.

UC, afterall, isn't a goal. it's a choice, and a valid one, but it's not right for everyone, every birth, every time. each birth is unique, and the only person who can know whether or not it's right to UC is the mother, herself.

[babycatcher01]

Originally Posted by channelofpeace

I would like some clarification, if you don't mind. Are you suggesting that mothers who have had recurring SD somehow made it happen because they were concerned about it happening again?

My point is and what I have seen being a hb midwife and working in health care, people can create their own issues, I dont know if this something you have heard about or studied. Our minds are very powerful. If we think so much about something or is scares us so much and we constantly make that our thoughs we can create a situation that has the potentialto to manifest what is in our minds. I feel baby and mom are connected in a world of their own communication and if baby keeps getting a sense of freight because of mom always thinking negetivly, which sends out stress hormones, this can have an effect on mom, baby, and of corse birth. Unhindered and centered in all areas of life allow mom and baby to work togather and communicate well. This is based off of my observations, studies, and talking with other wise woman. Iam in no way implicating that it will happen again.

[channelofpeace]

I am familiar with the idea of manifesting your own reality. It isn't a philosophy that I subscribe to. My own experiences, observations and discussions have led me more to a "poo happens" philosophy.

I actually think that the whole manifesting idea does a disservice to women. Because when something bad happens, it puts the responsibility back on the person who (supposedly) manifested it. And that really sucks for the mother who is having a hard time coping with her birth going awry or, worse yet, mourning her baby. I have seen women do everything "right" and sometimes it just doesn't work the way we hope or envisioned.

[zoebird]

personally, i think it can be a 'both-and.'

i believe in manifesting because i see it at work in my life. but, i also experience those "poo happens" events, too, and i don't see it as being counter to manifesting, just more like, there was a lot going on that i didn't know about it (confluence of events/factors?), and that it's ok not to know, to have curve balls in life.

at least, that is my experience in life in general.

[mommyminer]

Originally Posted by TubbyBubby

Never. I experienced the same thing with my daughter and I don't think she'd be alive if it weren't for my OB who 1) recognized what was going on immediately and 2) delivered my daughter fast and furious. She went from barely crowning to out in one big push and pull! It was painful and I tore but my daughter came out beautifully, no nerve damage, and APGAR of 7 at birth. After that, any other children we have will be hospital-born and MW/OB assisted.

What you have described is not a shoulder dystocia.