has anyone heard of spinal cord damage during a breech birth?

[JLeesmum]

ok so i know this should be in a different section, but i wont get replies for days if it is..:o.

i just want to know theres light at the end of the tunnel for my friend.
she had (i cant remember what its called, its when your cant hold a pregnancy because your waters break) so her son was born at 24 weeks, and born breach. the hospital made her push him out :( and on the way out he snapped the nerves in his spinal cord.

he is now 18 months corrected, and just learnt to sit, they dont think he will crawl because he doesnt have much movement in his arms, and no feeling in half his hand.
ive just met this friend, and she seems so upset by it, i dont know what to say to her. everytime she talks about it i see a tear in her eye.
can SOMEONE please tell me what to say to her? or does anyone know of someone thats had a similar problem to this??

[The sooper nanny]

what an awful thing to happen to your friend.

In my experience, Ive seen alot of 24 weekers (Im a neonatal nurse and midwife) and they often have alot of issues as they grow, let alone with spinal cord damage. They are also normally born breech because at that gestation they often havent turned yet. He sounds like a very strong little boy. If he was born this early Im assuming he is having developmental follow up. phsyio, speech therapy etc?

I often find that these babies suprise doctors and prove them wrong. They are often very slow to reach milestones. Its hard to know what the future holds for him but the fact that he is sitting is really great. As far as what to say, Ive been in a similar situation with a firend, and I often find that being upfront and honest is the best way to be. Rather than tiptoe around the issues, most people just want to be treated like a normal mum.

Having a premmie is a stressful, long journey. There are a lot of support groups out there..... hopefully he continues to grow and thrive.

HTH Shazz xo