Unmedicated Birth

My husband and I have an almost 5 year old, and I have been insistent from the day she was bron that I did not want to have more than one. It took a while for me to talk myself into having her, and while she is our world and I would not change anything, for the last 4 years I have had my mind made up that one was enough, and my husband doesn't have strong opinions one way or the other. We are content. Unfortunately the last week or so I have been thinking about another one. I don't know why, or where it is coming from, so there are LOTS of things to think about before we make the decision, but to be honest the medical side of it is my biggest fear.

I chose natural with my first, no medications at all, hospital setting with a wonderful doctor. She was a big baby, 9.9; and a full week early at that. Big babies run in my family. I was 9.11 and my younger brother was 10.2. I had absolutely no complications with the pregnancy, just carpel tunnel, annoying, but not a major issue. I was only in labor for 8 hours start to finish, not bad for a first I didn't think. But it was a shoulder dystocia delivery, which only occurs in 1%o f all births. I pushed for 2 hours, and once her head came out,her shoulder got stuck under my pelvic bone, they were able to get her out, but only after her collar bone broke. She is fine, it healed really well, but I lost a lot of blood, and ended up with a 3rd degree tear. It took months for me to get over it. I didn't feel like myself physically for almost a year.

So my question is, has anyone else ever had a dystocia delivery? And if so did you have other children that delivered normally? I've been researching, and it seems that if it happens on the first child, it is more likely to happen with any subsequent deliveries. And even though I absolutely HATE the thought of planning a Csection (i understand that they are needed in certain cases), but I also am worried about the idea of a bigger baby and it happening again. So I'm kind of stuck. I don't want this to be a deciding facot for whether or not we have another one, but right now I just can't get past this part of it.

Thanks for reading, I would appreciate any similar stories or comments. Thanks.

I haven't experienced this personally, but there's a woman on my EC who has a very similar story to yours (large baby, shoulder dystocia, baby broke collar bone on delivery). She's due with her second any day now. I believe she's planned to induce a little early (38 weeksish) because the baby's already measuring a little big, so that may be an option for you. Also, did you push in any positions besides laying down? Being on your hands and knees or squatting acutally makes your pelvic opening bigger and decreases your chances of having baby get "stuck". If you didn't try it last time, it's something to consider this time.

Personally, scheduling a c-section for "big baby" is not something I would consider, but I've never been in your shoes. I had a c-section with my daughter and it was unpleasant at best (though it might have been different if it had been planned). I'll spare you the details, but we're planning a homebirth this time to avoid repeating the scenario. However, it's an option. Baby would likely be fine and you wouldn't risk having #2 get stuck the way #1 did. I'm sure it had to have been traumatic. You could always plan to deliver vaginally and then make the decision to section based on u/s measurements a few days/weeks before your EDD. Making sure you don't gain excess weight will also help to keep baby's weight down, though it won't ensure anything.

You have nine months to decide what you want to do and to research similar pregnancies. You'll be able to make the decision that's right for you and your baby. Good luck. KUP!

 

Make a pregnancy ticker

Hi there-

((HUGS)) on the issues with your first birth. I'm sure that was scary!

Along with the PP, I'm very interested in knowing if positions like squatting, sitting on the toilet, side-lying, etc were used or if you were pushing on your back? Did anyone try the Gaskin Manuever? If you had gone med-free, there is no reason that you shouldn't have been encouraged to use other positons.

The ACOG does NOT recommend scheduling a c/s for microsomia. Take a look and see if this eases any of your fears. http://www.pregnancybirthandbabies.com/Big_baby.htm

GL to you and please follow up with any other questions :)