No, she tore. I didn't see it myself. Expect it is fairly rare, though think some crazy US obs actually attempt to engineer this situation by applying traction without awaiting restitution/internal rotation of the shoulders in cases where Shoulder Dystocia is feared (big baby anxiety) see http://observantmidwife.blogspot.com where she describes something like this (I'll try to find the exact post). My own understanding is that this is the very worst thing you can do (since you are unlikely to bring shoulders out laterally instead impacting them with traction under the pubis, but there you go...none so queer as folk.

Midwife and doula present both described shoulders delivered laterally with traction in all fours position after apparent Shoulder Dystocia (and both thought very strange). There was cervical trauma too, not sure if related.

With shoulders square on? Yes, I have and both times with multiparous women, the babies just slip out. No episiotomies involved. Admittedly they weren't very big babies though.

wow, glad there were no episiotomies good stuff, great experience though, gives your belief in normal birth a bigger boost seeing babies deliver in all kinds of positions/presentation etc.. doesn't it??

__________________


Have you just been offered a place? If so and you want a mentor please post in post this forum (also post here if you would like a mentee)

Hmm not sure Tracy, I have recollection (vague as this happened during my training) that this occurred for a medicated labour, methinks the mother was high as a kite of pethidine and the birth was unanticipated and the baby slithered out, almost, I do wonder now if it was the tone of the baby, or lack of that cause the blip in the mechanism?

I have seen babies being pulled out with shoulders square on after an Episiotomy. Not nice.

Top thread, great reading

__________________
Josie
StudentMidwife.NET Founder & Director



MidwiferyWorld.NET our sister site for Senior Students and Midwives is now live, tell your mentors and tutors!