United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am now 8 weeks pregnant with my third child and very excited about having another baby, but also a little scared. Josh, baby #2, was born with a bpi and needed nerve graft surgery to correct the problem - pretty severe injury. I have switched OB's and would like to have a vaginal birth (I know that some of you think that I am crazy). My new Ob would like to perform an ultrasound at 36 weeks to check the baby's weight and measure the shoulder width. If that checks out okay, she is then going to do an amniocentesis test to see if the baby's lungs are well developed. If both tests look favorable, she will induce me at 36 weeks and I can hopefully have a vaginal birth. If either test is unfavorable, we will wait and do a cesarean.
Keep in mind that I did not have any risk factors with my first 2 babies -- adequate pelvic outlet, no diabetes, no obesity, not overdue, normal pregnancy weight gain, etc. I'm just wondering what others have done with subsequent babies. Thanks for the input.

Hi Kathleen...

I once asked an expert how you go about finding an OB that you can trust when having a child after your last child was injured. This expert said - See who is publishing articles about shoulder dystocia...these are the ones that know their stuff and know how to do it.

Maybe there is somebody with this experience level in your area?

CONGRATULATIONS!! hope you have a wonderful pregnancy and a very non-eventful normal birth!! When is your due date?

take care,
francine

I had #2 12 months after Jade was born. For me i had to do ac-section becouse i was sooooo nervous. I looks like you have a very good plan. I also didn't have any warning signs until i went into labor. watch how the labor progresses too. Congrats on the new baby!

Kathleen,
Congratulations!!! I soooooo want another one but we are leaving that one to the Lord. Anyway I have ponder this very thing for hours. I like your plan. I would also bathe the whole thing in prayer. I would seek the peace of God... that would be the overall factor that would lead me to my decision. I think if I didn't have that I would be too stressed out during the labor process to really "enjoy" (if you can call it that!) it. What does your husband think? ... that would also be a big factor for me. I really want another vaginal birth but not if the risks are too great. For a while I felt that if I couldn't do it vaginally then I wouldn't do it at all but I finally overcame that realizing that is no reason to have a baby (to go through labor). But I am now rambling... I must learn not to write posts late at night!
I am very excited for you!!
Blessings,
Kristie

Congrats. I hope all works out like you wish. I had my #3 by c section, which was scheduled. To tell you the truth the c section was a breeze compared to the other two. I didn't want ANY problems. With my BPI I wasn't obese, minimal weight gain, no diabetes and not over due. My BPI was 9lbs 2 oz, but I am only 5 feet. Well anyway good luck and keep us posted.

Kathleen,
Congrats on #3.I just had my 3rd on sept 10th and was a planned c-section! I found a wonderful ob.I explained everything from the beginning about my 2nd child which was injured.She was very understanding and agreed with me all the way.I felt so great to have such good care!It really makes a big difference. I felt that this was gonna be a big one & she was 9lbs 15 1/2 ozs.I was really glad I did plan a c-section.
My 2nd was 9lbs 1oz.
From my experience also the c-section was alot better than my 2 regular deliveries. The recovery is so much better now also!
I wish you the best in what ever you decide to do! Best wishes for a safe delivery and a healthy baby RoseAnne

Congrats on having another little miracle. My third is my BPI child and I just wanted to let you know that from my experience ultra sounds are not always correct, infact they can be terribly wrong. Just a word of caution to you because our ultra sound, that was done just 2 days before my son was born, said he would weight around 8 lbs. 13 oz. But he was actually 10 lbs. 13 oz. which was a difference of 2 pounds! If they would have said 9 pounds I wouldn't have even tried another v-bac!!!! Both of my daughters were large so they were supposed to be "watching his size closely". I think he was so squished in there that I don't know how they could have seen the size of his shoulders even if they tried. I have been told that some Doctors might do a MRI to check shoulder size, which would be more accurate because they can also measure your pelvic bones. You might not like the idea of an "xray" but what is the difference between one before birth or minutes after birth which most BPI babies are exposed to. Also please keep in mind the risk factors (there are several) for an amnio and decide if a vaginal birth is worth the risk. If I were to have another child, I would definitely do a c-section. One reason is my recovery for that was soooooo much easier(3 weeks versus 3 months) Just wanted to let you know my thoughts and experience, take them or leave them. My very best wishes for a easy delivery and a healthy baby!!!!!!!!

I agree with the previous posts, that a c-section was a breeze compared to the other two vaginal births. For an ultrasound can be off a week before, and a week after, the due date. The weights can also be off. They guess on an ultrasound my son would weight around 8#, and he actually weighed over 9#! The figures for shoulder girth are hard to tell also. For the baby is so cramped in there. I would really have an ob you can trust, that is very familar with shoulder dystocia.
I would also look at why you don't want a c-section.
Is it because they cut you open? Is it because it seems scarier? We have to acknowledge our feelings, and respect them, while also keeping our options open.
My third child was c-section, and I was very scared.
But the experience was not as bad as the vaginal two where. I actually got to hold my baby after birth!
And they didn't have to rush the baby off to neonatal!
I could also breast feed for the first time, without
neonatal intensive care! But I had to take it easy for 6 weeks, because of the incision.
Please consider all, and Congratulations, No matter what you decide, I hope it works out for you.

Just another thought.
You said your first two you were not at risk, but now with your 2nd you had a bpi that was pretty severe.
This puts you at high risk for another bpi.
Also you said they might induce at 36 weeks, what if the induction does not take, I have heard of this happening as well. Since this is 4 weeks early, what are the risks to the baby. What is the risk of checking the amion fluid? Do we make more risks?
I pray God will help you make a truely difficult decision.