preventing shoulder dystocia

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[Burnindinner]

What makes the risk higher? Breech?

[*EarthMama*]

Originally Posted by Burnindinner

What makes the risk higher? Breech?

I am also curious what makes the risk higher for you? I also am at "higher risk" due to previous shoulder dystocia. The increase in chance of it occuring is still so minimal though I don't consider it likely at all. In fact, we are planning a UC, and have no worries about recurrence of shoulder dystocia. Really, it is rare even for those who have already experienced it in a previous birth. It is good to be prepared though.

Anyway, definitely listen to your body while in labor. My midwives had me laying down on the bed with my first when I began pushing and I am fairly certain that was the main contributing factor in the shoulder dystocia. If I had listened to my body I would have probably been standing, squatting, or on all fours without any problems. You can bet I will not be laying on my back this time. I will definitely be lurking on this thread to see what others recommend. Very curious...

Good luck, mama! Your birth will be perfect!

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[briome]

Birthing on hands and knees and by far---paitence== by the care provider are said to be the best at presenting SD.

look here- http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/...rDystocia.html
it is important to note that sticky shouldrs are not the same as true SD.

Keep that chin up!
What were you told were your risk factors, i'd be curious?

look at some of the posts here plz=
http://www.theunnecesarean.com/displ...duleId=5690288

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[lyno]

My first had shoulder distocia (8lbs 7 oz) and so with my second I delivered on hands and knees and she came out very smoothly (8lb 12oz)

[Peony]

Listen to your body is number one on my list. My 3rd baby had "sticky" shoulders, I am fully aware that in a different setting (hospital) he more than likely would of been SD. Once I got his head out, I instantly knew something was different, I felt this sense that I had to get his shoulders out as quick as possible, he was a UC BTW. I had been squatting but instinct made me flip to hands and knees, it took several pushes to free his shoulders to a point where I knew they were not sticky anymore. It just felt entirely different than the pushing phase with my other children. He was much bigger then my other children, 8.12 but only 18 inches only, and for the record I am petite, wearing between a 00-0 so he was a big baby for me.

[wombatclay]

I hate to say, but I had my SD experience while squatting and the Gaskin manuever didn't resolve it. But I birthed my ds this past august with just a hint of sticky shoulders, no dystocia. I was on my side since that was one of the positiions I'd seen suggested for SD prevention.

If it's encouraging, my SD babe was 9lbs even, they did her resuss on my chest with the cord intact/me on oxygen to get her oxygenated quickly (best option for the babe, so let your provider know about this...there were some studies recently but I didn't save the link), and she was fine. My most recent babe was 9lbs8oz and was just an itty bitty bit sticky, no SD at all.

The research (nice list of studies here) doesn't really point to a good predictor other than having had a prior SD. Operative vaginal delivery (vacuum or forceps) is a risk factor so that is one intervention to avoid. There are also some ideas in the Labor Progress Handbook by Penny Simkin... basically ways to resolve difficulties that come up during the birth process. While not exactly "SD prevention" tools, they might help smooth out a birth and reduce the risk of a poorly aligned babe getting stuck?

Good luck!