United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Janice~ I tried to email you but there was no email attached to your name. My email is attached if you would email me. I would LOVE to ask you questions. You seem to be the only one that I have encountered so far that has had a vaginal delivery after BPI. Please email me. Thank you so much in advance.

Karen

My first child was born 9 lbs and got stuck but we were lucky enough she didn't get hurt. Second daughter born 11 lbs natural with left bp. My 3rd 8lbs c-section it was wonderful. Good luck!

Karen,
Sorry I have no email address. With my first child I pushed for 8 hours and there was no shoulder dystocia. I was not completely dialated when I started pushing. My child was born with a severe stretch injury.
When I became pregnant again I switched doctors. The doctor and nurse said "you'll end up delivering a baby with bpi if you push like that, happens all the time" They said they would monitor me closely. My second child was born with no problems at all. I pushed for a half hour, both my children were the same weight.
Hope this helps some. I'll try to check in more often.
Janice

Janice,

That is interesting. Gosh, I wonder if it is related to the pushing without full dilation, at least in your case. Hmmmm...so many unanswered questions.

Just wondering if you are absolutely certain that there was certainly not a shoulder dystocia. The only reason I ask is that there are many, many cases where doctors don't acknowledge the sd because it gets them off scotch free. Many times ironically it is missing in the medical records that it even occurred. If you don't mind sharing, was your husband or someone there watching the delivery? Did the baby come right out without stopping for a little while after the head came out? I am sure it is possible, it just seems very rare from what I have learned. And the sad truth is that often times the truth is twisted. There are many that believe that the force of natural maternal pushing would never be enough force, nor in the right direction to cause a permanent bpi. Just food for thought. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Janice! It seems like a lot of women that pushed before they were completely dialated had issues. I pushed when I was dialated to 9 and pushed for 3 and a half hours. I was so tired and frustrated by the time I was done.

You definitely make me feel better about having to make this difficult decision.