Delivery Options

The appointment to do the membrane sweep was a bust.  The doctor did another quick ultrasound to check on measurements and the baby continues to grow, potentially already 9-10 pounds, still meeting the estimation of 10.5 pounds as guessed in our previous ultrasound.

The doctor was very concerned that a natural delivery would be too risky for the baby and potentially my own health.  She was open about all the options, and the choice was up to us ultimately...but hearing the risks, we are going to stay safe and agreed to do a C-section rather than risk harm to myself or the baby.  No membrane sweep, because baby still is developing through the 39th week and they prefer not to do a C-section before that timeframe unless I do go into labor on my own.

These were the possibilities the doctor gave us:

1.  Ultrasounds are not perfect and can be up to 20% off in either direction -meaning that the baby could be a larger 8 pound baby up to 11 pounds at birth.  If on the bigger size, that is where the risk comes in.

2.  Baby could deliver naturally if on the smaller size, but from feeling him in my belly and the ultrasounds, the doctor doubts this possibility.  Plus when she checked me, his head was in the pelvis, but she could push it in and out due to the high amount of fluid, he may not descend as needed to do a natural delivery.

3.  If on the bigger side, baby could get stuck in the birth canal.  That is where the risk comes in for shoulder dystocia.  Meaning his head might deliver fine, but the shoulders and/or abdomen get stuck.
If that should happen, that is when the risks start adding up quickly.  Once the head is delivered, the umbilical cord is compressed and they have about 2-minutes to get the baby out before oxygen deprivation begins.

    a.  They would then try moving the baby to get the shoulders out.  If that doesn't work, they break one of the baby's collar bones risking a lung puncture, but hopefully allowing the baby to be delivered.

    b.  If that still doesn't work, they would break the second collarbone risking another lung puncture to try and deliver the baby.

    c.  If all else fails, they would then push the baby back in through the birth canal and into the uterus for an emergency C-section.  The whole process could cause severe tearing for me, not even addressing the additional pain and suffering of myself and the baby.

Yes, I could opt to still attempt a natural birth in hopes that the ultrasound is incorrect.  However, in the past five years, I have known 4 births that ended in the baby's death, as well as babies born with shoulder dystocia who needed physical therapy and other helps to recover from their difficult delivery.  Our baby's survival and well-being is more important than whatever birth method delivers our baby.  So a C-section it is...let the preparations begin.