United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

This is a new OB. No way was I going to let the previous doc delivery another baby. Sorry to sound so harsh.
I will check out the website. Thanks for the link, Kristie.

I wanted to bring this back up to the top... I have been intrested in this thread since I really want to have more kids so I have enjoyed the differenct persectives.

I noticed some of the posts have not appeared... I realize they must be guest posts but it has been a while for some of them... are they not going to appear and I just need to let it go?

Thanks,
Kristie

Thanks, Kristie for bringing this back up.

I think that if you want to have more babies, then go for it. Not every doctor is going to make the same mistake and the key is doing your research and branching out by talking to as many people as you can. I have talked with SO many moms that have had c-section and vaginal. I talked with a mom that had a c-section and ended up with a double BPI. HORRIBLE! So, it does happen either way you go, you just have to find out and totally talk to your doctor about EVERYTHING. Like Francine said, sit down and ask a million and one questions about everything and find out exactly what he is going to do in case whatever happens. My husband and I have been on the phone off and on with him for the past week so that we can rest. I am tired of worrying about how I'm going to have this baby. I just want to enjoy the pregnancy part of it.

Good luck though with whatever you decide to do. My husband and I both really want more kids so I am even hoping that the job doesn't stop with this one.

Karen

Kristie,

We have approved all the guest posts.
So those that did not appear either were guest posts that were the same posts posted several times (that happens a lot), and we only put one up or they were posts that violated our message board policy, which we do enforce.

Nancy Birk
UBPN President

Karen:

It is a very hard decision and one that only you can make. After Shaylan was born (left BPI) I quit going to that OBGYN. When I got preganant with my second child, I had a major problem just like you-who to trust and what to do. My best advice is to trust your gut and trust in God. I found the same OBGYN who had delieverd my sister 25 years ago and he was awesome. We sat with him a discussed this in length and decided to try a vaginal birth but not if it meant risking the baby (obviously). We layed out exactly what we would do. I had 2 nurses in when I delivered and another doctor. My doctor felt that I could have the same trouble with a c-section and like he said, "if it is done right your baby will be waving when he/she comes out". And I firmly believe that; unless of course you have other problems in your pregnancy.

I gained 72 pounds with my second one and she weighed 8lbs. 6 oz. and was perfectly fine. I definately held my breath when she came out! I really knew in my gut that I did the right thing FOR ME/US.

Take care and good luck,
Shava Vohs

Thank you, Shava, for sharing your story. Absolutely amazing and completely motivating to try another vaginal delivery. I do have complete faith in my doctor, I just wonder if I have that faith in myself. So sad to think that I have lost faith in myself after all of this. Ugh...

Thank you.
Karen

My first son was born with a BPI and I went on to have two more children v- delivery. I asked about c-sections and made it very clear that if there were any doubts or questions about a safe delivery that I wanted a c-section. The next two births were just a s awful as the first and the obstitricians didn't seem to be able to make good judgements prior to trying to deliver. My third child had shoulder distocia and the Dr. recognized it and was able to free his shoulder but I suffered a seperated pelvis in the process. This was extremely painful and rendered me unable to walk for weeks. Some women apparently never fully recover from the seperated pelvis. The doctors tell me in retrospect all three should have been c-sections but for some reason they seemed unable to predict the complications at each birth. I didn't know all that I know now or I would have demanded c-section it's just not worth the risk to me if there were conditions that caused complications the first time , then I would imagine some of the risk factors would still exist. Each time they seemed so sure my babies were much smaller but they were not . my third child was the biggest at ten pounds.

I had a baby boy 8 years ago weighing 9 pounds, 15 ounces with a bpi. When I was pregnant for my second daughter I was told I could deliver vaginally or have a C-section. I chose the C-section to prevent any chance of this happening again. She weighed 9 pounds, 2 ounces and my third daughter weighed 9 pounds, 1 ounce. The OBS told me she felt I could have delivered both of the girls vaginally as they were not broad shouldered and much leaner than my son. I am glad that I did not take the chance because I think I would have been so nervous during the deliver I would have not have enjoyed it one bit. It is such an important time in your life - we really just all want the best experience we can have. The 1st C-section was painful afterwards but the 2nd one was a piece of cake. Good luck with your decision.

hey Karen,
During my last ultrasound, my perinatologist noted the abdominal/head circumferance ratio was an indication of shoulder dystocia being a possibility. (my ob chose to ignore it and I had no idea it could lead to an injury) She also was weighing in at over 4300 grams at 37 weeks. I know you want to make this decision now, but closer to the end you might have a little more to go on. Baby size, your weight gain, if you have developed diabetes and all the rest.
It's a tough choice. Just keep focused on the baby.
Jenny

I know this is very late in the conversation, but my opinion for myself is..... First off I have 2 babies the youngest with ROBPI. He has had 1 surgery. I feel that going through labor naturally is the closest thing to God that I can and have ever done. If I decide to have another baby, I will have it vaginally unless it is absolutely medically necesary to have a c-section. I am not a "earthy" person, I just think that God intended for us to have babies that way, and that my Bpi boy is a gift from Him. i think he intended for my son to have this injury, and I would feel like I was standing in God's way by choosing what is easier for me. That is only my opinion, and I ultimately believe God guides everyone to do what is right for them, if the listen.
Sarahmae