United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

This is a good site to get more information on shoulder Dystocia.

Also.... I cut and pasted this info from the risk factors section:
"A history of shoulder dystocia during a previous delivery is a significant risk factor. Shoulder dystocia recurs in 9.8% to 13.8% of patients with a prior history of shoulder dystocia/,s Shoulder dystocia is strongly correlated with the triad of fetal macrosomia, maternal diabetes, and maternal obesity."

This site calls it significant but it still sites it as close to what was posted earlier 9-13% to reoccurs.

I don't see how 14 times more likely equals 1400%... I am not a math person so you will have to go step by step with me on that one.

Plus what about mom and dad's that have delievered a baby before the one with SD occuring during the labor. I would love to see this stuff of Dr. Laurent's... do know how to get a copy of it?

Clint,
I just have to speak up...
You may be a guy, but don't all these babies have daddies too? Do dads love their babies any less? The decision is what is best for the BABY, who has two parents, and they need to make this decision together.
Jenny

does anyone have access to any data/studies that support what Drs Shenaq and Nath are saying? I've seen studies that show around 50% of injuries are caused by SD, but not 80%-not saying that figure is wrong, but if there was a source to show obs who won't accept these figures it might make them take notice.
Can I also just say there is no such percentage as 1400%-the max figure that can be expressed as a percentage is 100%....sorry to be picky, I studied maths :0)

Oh Jenny! I was just trying to be politically correct. In our family it is a decision that we will make together.

However, it is not my body we are talking about. So ultimately, it's not my decision.

Clint

Thanks Kristie for the vote of confidence.

How can I find out my pelvic size? I am not a small woman and I don't think that I lack with the "birthin' hips" but how can I be sure? I guess that it is something else that I need to discuss with the OB.

One thing that I have noticed on this message board and on other websites and forums, is that the women that started pushing before full dialation have had major issues. Maybe this is common knowledge and I am just now catching on, but isn't it something that they would catch onto in the hospitals? Or is this another undocumented issue?

a good midwife (homebirth) is usually much better at palpating pelvimetry (size of your pelvis), Id trust a well respected homebirth midwife anyday to size me over an OB,
I am, by the way, a certified (by state of FL) childbirth educator and a birth asst with a local homebirth midwife, I am also the mother of 6 children(all born vaginal) and one S?D resulting in a BPI,
and by the way, because in my case I am not genetically inclined to have large babies, the last one wa sbecause of my diet and surrounding circumstances and possible gestational diabetes which can be, controlled by diet, so...I would definately opt for the vaginal birth,
Altho I agree that what Dr Laurent the BPI SURGEON (NOT A BIRTH EXPERT BY ANY ANY ANY MEANS)says is true, I know that his statistics are PURELY subjective figures he pulled from thin air (or some other logistically ridiculous location) -
I obviously feel pasisonately about this subject, but on the other hand, I fully respect mothers who feel passinately in the opposite way, IF they feel they should have a section that is fine for them,. but I think the situation should be dealt with on an individual basis at the very least, whioch I see you are attempting to do and I commend you for.
There are people here whose children have had breathing problems, as a matter of fact I have seen one even post here commending her section but not wanting to discuss apparently, her own daughters breathing issues, and constant medication dilemmas(steroids) -that is sad and an indicator of the emotional pandemonium that the subject seems to ignite...
peace be with all, this is purely an individual decision that should be made on an individual basis...and respect should be given to all choices.

oopps I noticed I forgot to add the link to the shoulder dystocia site I mentioned before:

http://www.shoulderdystocia.com/

Lots of good info that I would for certian read before delievering another child.

Dear Guest:

First, I did not say that SD causes 80% of the BPIs. I only stated that SD is associated with 80% of the BPIs. The statistics do not indicate causation, only correlation. I suspect most people on this message board feel that the injury is caused by excessive traction applied by the Dr. during delivery and not by SD itself.

Second, I'm happy that you studied "maths", but maybe you should go back and study spelling. A percentage is simply a proportion multiplied by 100. While it would be incorrect to say "he gave 110% effort", it is accurate to say that something increased by over 100%. In this case 14x more likely is 14x100=1400%!

Please feel free to email me if you would like to discuss further.

Clint

Thanks Guest. I now have that link in my favorites. It is very informative.

Karen,
Francine's site has a resource page that has a link to info about it:
http://www.injurednewborn.com/resources.html
Her main page calles it a contracted or flat (platypelloid) pelvis. I would do a little research on it to be sure I understood what it was and then ask my OB about it. Be sure to discuss the other risk factors as well. Is this a new ob or the one who delievered your son?

Blessings,
Kristie