[ecurlycue]

I just want to pose the question as I hadn't given it much thought until yesterday. What if you are solo birthing and run into either sticky shoulders, or a shoulder distocia? Just curious if there is anything specific to do.

 

[kalisis]

I'm a newbie, but I've been reading for awhile and I do know that an immediate change of position is helpful (I think hands and knees is best, but logically, I think squatting would ok too - anything to open up the pelvis more) and just patience.

Check out this story: http://bizarrogirl.com/birthstory.html

I thought it was good.

ETA: I'm pretty sure it's immediately get on your hands and knees. I've read that in several places.

 

[Isaac'sMa]

I believe that "Hands and knees" is the best way to resolve shoulder dystocia...correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that's what the Gaskin Maneuver is (as in Ina May Gaskin)

 

[unitytree]

Here is a link from the unhindered living site ~handling variations in the birth process.

http://www.unhinderedliving.com/dystocia.html

 

[Intertwined]

I have kids who come out with linebacker shoulders. Two things I have learned from that are:

1) My body was pretty clear in my unmedicated birth what the best position to give birth in was. Any other position caused me tremendous pain! Once I got onto hands and knees, I felt the strong desire to PUSH and he was born rather quickly. It still took some effort, but then, he wasn't a tiny thing.

2) Keeping baby in a good position was key. I did that by walking, rocking, swaying my hips, and NOT LAYING DOWN! My body again was really clear on this point. I tried to lay down when contractions were about 5 minutes apart so I could snooze between them (I had a really bad cold) but that was not happening. The pain while laying down had me up and moving again within one contraction.

I honestly believe in an unhindered birth, where mom can relax and really listen to her body without distraction, it won't be an issue. You can see on my video of Noah's birth when his shoulders came through my pelvis. You can actually see my hips pop out a good couple inches. It's sort of strange to watch!