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shoulder dystocia

mandateach517mandateach517
in C-sections
Has anyone had to have a c-section due to higher risk of shoulder dystocia?  Just had my 38-week appt and my OB said that we are at intermediate-high risk of shoulder dystocia and that a c-section is recommended to avoid SD.  I never had a labor plan, but had wanted to deliver vaginally, so I was pretty upset to hear this.  Of course, DH and I will make whatever decision is best for LO (and me), but was wondering if anyone out there had to make a similar decision (up to now, I had never heard of it before).  Thanks!
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Re: shoulder dystocia

  • callalilly323callalilly323 member
    I did... I got 3 separate opinions and all recommended the c section. It was a tough decision to make but I would do the same thing over again! I could never risk the health of my child, and would never forgive myself if something happened to hurt him.
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  • annarebekahannarebekah
    I am having a c section this Friday (39 weeks) for this same concern.  Baby is measuring 9lbs 8oz, I'm 5'2 and diabetic.  I also have had 3 different doctors recommend the same thing (ob, perinatologist and endocrinologist).  I so badly want to try vaginally but if all three are recommending this I feel like it's the best decision. They can't guarantee anything but like the pp stated I would never forgive myself if he got stuck and it led to complications....not to mention possibly resulting in an emergency c section anyway which I have been folder is harder to recover from.  I'm scared out if my mind because I've never had surgery before but they do them all the time!
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  • rockychryslerb2010rockychryslerb2010 member

    We had an elective c-section because of macrosomia (big baby), E measured 12lbs 14oz at a 38w ultrasound.  Shoulder dystocia is a risk of macrosomia, and I'm glad we went with the c-section.  E was 11lb 4oz and I had a very easy c-section recovery.  It was hard for me to give up the vaginal birth I wanted, but after researching shoulder dystocia and speaking with my OB we decided c-section was right for us.  It wasn't worth it to me to risk a vaginal birth just because it was what I wanted (and I had planned a natural, doula assisted birth up until 38 weeks!).

    ETA: this was my first surgery too, and I was really nervous.  I had no idea what to expect, but it was so much easier than I anticipated.  The worst part was having the spinal placed, but I had a great OR nurse and anethesiologist who explained everything as they went, which made me a lot more comfortable.  Then DH was able to come in and they started.  Recommendation for recovery is to just take it is and listen to your body, but get up and walk around as soon as they will let you.  I knew I overdid it if my bleeding picked up.  Stay on top of pain meds - I used mostly motrin because the stronger stuff made me feel out of it, but I took it as needed.

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  • craig10craig10

    My daughter was measuring large and my doctors had recommend a c-section.  They mentioned the risk of shoulder dystocia and thought this would be the better option.  I feel like I made the right decision, she came out 9lbs 9oz.  I wish I could have had a vaginal birth, but getting my baby here the safest way is most important to me.  Good luck with everything.  I had a great experience and a smooth recovery. 

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  • Lorrie&JeremyLorrie&Jeremy
    Yes, although my higher risk of shoulder dystocia was due to a real (although mild) shoulder dystocia with my first.  Shoulder dytocia is one of those things that is very scary - I barely remember my son getting stuck, by my husband was very scared because the nurse jumped on top of me to help the dr manuver him out and my husband had no idea what was going on.  If the shoulder dytocia is a bad one, it can have serious consequences (your dr. has probably told you about it).  When I was pg with my second son, and he was measuring big, a C/S was recommended.  I too was really upset about the c/s, but since it was scheduled it was a breeze and I have no regrets.  He was one oz bigger than my first son.  It was a really difficult decision, because my dr "recommended" it, but it was ultimately up to me to decide.  Good luck with your decision! 
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