Any Doulas or MW out there who have dealt with Shoulder Dystocia?

[muming]

Hi,
I have recently posted my concerns about my last pregnancy, and have been doing some reading since about Shoulder Dystocia. I am wondering if there are any Doulas or Midwives out there who have had experience with delivering babies where this has occurred. I have been reading about the McRobert's Maneuver with supra-pubic pressure, and other techniques to help the baby be delivered safely. I would love to hear from you if you have experienced using any of these methods, or if you have observed anyone else, and if they were successful or not.
I know it wont necessarily happen again, however due to my size, short stature, and the fact that it has happened before, I would like to be more than prepared in the case it does happen again.
Thanks,
Ing.

[TwoBoysOnly]

Yes I have experience with it what do you want to know?

[muming]

Well, i guess I would like to know what happened. What measures were taken to get the baby out? Had the heart rate of the baby dropped, and in that case how quick were you able to get the baby out? I don't know, I think I just need reassurance from someone who has dealt with this so I can get rid of my fears created from my past experience. I need to inform myself so I can move on out of this head space and psych myself up for the next one!

I would also like to find a birthing assistant to help with the birth of my next baby who has had experience with this. Unfortunately you are in Brisbane, however I will appreciate any positive birth stories about getting those "stuck" babies out.:)
Ingrid

[TwoBoysOnly]

I have been part of a few shoulder dystocias...all good outcomes :) The technique for shoulder dystocia is a new manouvere every 30 seconds....if one isn't working move on. There are lots of ones to try - Mc Roberts however is the most common. Usually the heart rate will drop due to distress - but it is taken very very frequently in a situation like this.

The main advice I have is to stay upright as much as you can during your labour so you can give your baby the best possible chance of being in the most ideal birthing position - no lying in a bed. If it happens again - just try and relax and do as the birthing team suggests they are trained and skilled at delivering these stuck babies. Any more questions just ask :) Hope this helps you somewhat :)

[pickles]

I have been involved in shoulder dystocia births before all with excellent outcomes. I too experienced " Tight shoulders" with my second , but mainly due to the arkward position i found myself in - on a mat on the floor , almost on my right , halfway up a beanbag. Once the head crowned the midwife asked me to pull my legs right back ( Mcroberts ). I rolled into a better position, pulled my legs back, pushed with the next contraction and my 4.1kg boy flew out.
True shoulder dystocia that requires more than one manouvere is rare. i think alot has to do with how much you allow the pelvic outlet to open up. Lying on a bed in the 'classical' birth position reduces the pelvic outlet thus leaving less room for the baby's shoulders to rotate and be birhed. Birthing in all fours or squatting allows you to have a maximum pelvic outlet for birth.

Hope that helps

Ps - I am only 5 foot 3. size 6 waist ( but obviously a very wide pelvic oulet because i birthed ( pushed ) my first out in 20 minutes and my second in 5 )

Pickles
DD 02/03 3.5 kg, 5 hour labour, aromatherapy, homeopathics and water.

DS 02/05, 4.1kg 1.5 hour labour, aromatherapy, homeopathics,water and gas

[muming]

Thanks Pickles,
That's good to hear. I was on all fours or leaning on a bean bag for most of my labour, apart from when the OB put me on my back in stirrups to use the forceps, which wouldn't have helped with the space down there!
Thank you for the reassurance.:)
Ingrid