OBEM tonight

[The Nappy Lady]

How truly scary was that delivery of the little girl who got 'stuck' and how amazing we're the team who delivered her.

Blimey.

[Goodliz]

I was stunned. It was so sad to watch. But amazing when she recovered.

[The Nappy Lady]

Yes, so frightening. So glad she's OK.

[Fuschia]

Oh bloody hell

Totally terrifying

How cool and calm were the staff though!

[buggie]

...could identify with the staff talking about it in their staff room afterwards - calm on the outside, like jelly inside - esp the one who said about not being able to burst into tears and having to stay focused.

Was I alone in being :O at the lovely boyfriend who's only problem was that he can't stay out of prison? (and the laughter between Mum and daughter at this!)

[bluesuperted]

It was so hard to watch. Made my EMCS seem totally zen in comparison.

I was in tears watching it, through my fingers, gripping the sofa or my husband.

I thought the team were amazing - but to me their tension was palpable, understandable but didn't seem that calm to me.

Thought the husband held it together really well, poor things!

[sillywoman]

Edge of the seat stuff. I remember my Midwife with number 2 telling me about shoulder dystocia & that it was a Midfife's worst nightmare. The moment that Registrar said "McRoberts please" my heart was in my mouth. Though of course I was fairly certain that had the outcome been poor then they wouldn't have shown it (fairly - gulp?)

It was the expression on the face of the midwife who was watching the clock that had me rivetted. I thought the Dad was just lovely the way he stayed outwardly so calm and reassuring to poor Mum. Phew.

Buggie, you weren't alone, but I guess it takes all sorts. That boy (Jack) is very lucky to have a young woman who loves him so much. I hope that he appreciates her loyalty and acceptance, and if he doesn't then I hope he comes to before he loses her to someone more reliable.

[cmacnew]

Omg I watched it on catch up tonight. I was in tears especially after delivery when they had the little thing all wrapped up with the oxygen mask over her face.

The scene of legs I stirrups and 20 staff in gowns took me back a little and I'm quite pleased that I don't really remember too much in the hours following my sons birth. I think I'd be too scared to think about number 2 otherwise.

[TE44]

I cant help wondering if baby hadnt been induced the outcome may have been different. Found it horrific pullin baby before they realised shoulders were stuck. Poor little thing. I can understand being told to push if an epidural has been given and the mother has little or no feelin, but cant understand havin mothers pushing, when there is no overwhelming feeling to push.

[littlemoo]

I've not watched this, and have no intention of doing so. (Infact I'm not sure why I read this post.) But TE44 I just wanted to say that shoulder dystocia does not just happen in medicalised births such as when induced. My shoulder dystocia happened, at home, after a perfectly simple labour and sadly my sons outcome was not as good as he passed away a week later due to the brain damage he sustained during his birth.

[The Nappy Lady]

Little moo - so sorry.

Xx

[TE44]

I am so sorry littlemoo, It definitely puts a different light on it hearing what you went through, so sad.

[sillywoman]

I think that contractions are driven by the hormone oxytocin, if Mum feels alarmed or anxious during labour (at any point) then her body may produce adrenaline, a super-strong hormone which can reduce or block oxytocin production hence reducing or even stopping the contractions altogether- in those circumstances Mum may need some advice as to when she needs to push. That might explain why TE44? Goodness knows that poor Mum shown last wednesday would have had plenty of adrenaline going through her body in the situation she found herself in - and she wasn't the only one!

[Senor Chevalier]

Worst thing I ever saw. If you haven't seen it don't.

[buggie]

TE44 & SW - I thought the Mum needed guidance on when to push as she'd had an epidural/spinal so couldn't feel the contractions (and so didn't feel hugely uncomfortable when they were having to do the episiostomy/forceps and whatever else ended up helping to get the baby out).

[sillywoman]

I think you're probably right buggie - TBH I can't recall the exact situation at the point where the shoulder dystocia Mum was being asked to push. My response was to the more general query of; "I can understand being told to push if an epidural has been given and the mother has little or no feelin, but cant understand havin mothers pushing, when there is no overwhelming feeling to push". Just as an example of a circumstance when it might be helpful for Mum to have some guidance when pushing.

I should've been clearer though.

[TE44]

Sorry, i wasn't clear, i was speaking in general, not about the mother whos baby was stuck. Often mothers are encouraged to push long before baby is born, of course its hard to tell how long with editing. I very rarely see on this programme any encouragement to be more upright. Of course everyone is different and maybe its the mothers choice.

[EmmaG]

I blubbed like a blubby thing watching it. Ten pounds five! What a moving and scary piece of telly. Why did they let her deliver vaginally? Anyway, it all was fine, but the fear in the eyes of the midwives was the scariest thing I've ever seen.