United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I think it all boils down to how big the baby is and gets and the shape of the mothers pelvis. All the things mentioned above contribute to the size of the baby. Also , like Francine I am always comparing myself to others because I have always been fat, and have noticed at the picnics that 80 to 90 percent of the mothers are "normal size". So now that I've realized this and the higher risk question comes up, I am kind of flip about it. All I know is, I was told for years I'd never have a child, couldn't find out what the problem was, and then I get diagnosed with diabetes, start diabetes medication, and get pregnant within one month. I really thinnk now that I look back that I was diabetic for a long time and didn't know it. I also know my diabetes was under excellent control during the pregnancy but she was still macrosomic. Economics affects the diet of any individual and could be indirectly responsible.LeeAnne

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think it has anything to do with the shape or size of the mom. I was a normal size, developed GD and was going to a HIGH RISK OB! So, I think it depends on the doctor even though they have that extra title, they still make serious mistakes. But I still blame myself. I know I'm wrong because I begged him to do a c-section but he didn't think it was necessary until the last five minutes.

I am so glad I read this question!! I have always, deep-down inside, blamed myself for gaining 55 lbs. during Jack's birth. I see now that I was probably not as much to blame as I thought. Makes me feel better.

LeeAnne, I agree with you 150% when you said that economics affects the diet of any individual and could be directly responsible. Dam why do we have to be so well off that I could afford to be lazy and order pizza and eat out every night and have fast food anytime. I wish we were dirt poor. LOL. Sorry, could not help myself, that is what I was thinking when reading these posts. Don't want to offend anyone but sometimes we (I) have to make light of things we (I) are guilty of.

Someone recently posted on the obpi board that her baby got a bpi during a c section, c section isn't the best way to prevent bpi, education of birthing professionals is. Just my 2 cents.

Sorry, but it's the doctors fault all the way. How can it possibly be the mothers fault regardless of income or status or body size? We are not the ones who were educated in birthing babies. I understand that we have to take responsibility for what we put into our bodies while we are pregnant, but in the end(literally)the injury is caused by too much force not what we put into our bodies for nine months. If these doctors didn't have such a blas`e attitude while delivering our babies they wouldn't have been surprised and would have known what to do as it happened.

Patty

I think a BPI can happen to anyone regardless of Wealth. I think the wealth and economic status comes into play when trying to find qualified Dr.s about a BPI injury, and the resources available. I've had many friends who've gained a ton of weight, and/or had GD and they delivered babies without injury. Wealth or insurance definitly comes into play on how you're treated in some places. My experience when we went in for my daugthers surgery (we have good insurance) was that the hospital had two different waiting rooms, one had every chair filled (probably 30 people)and when the receptionist saw in our daughters file that we had health insurance we were sent to another waiting room (completly empty), and she was seen immediately. I was happy for us that we didn't have to wait in sea of people, but also thought that we shouldn't of had the "special" treatment because we weren't on public assistance.

WHAT ARE YOU GUILTY OF???????Gaining 55 lbs. Please! Do you really think that was the reason your child has a bpi. I don't think so. Look further.

umm what exactly IS normal size ????

I have no idea whether mother's weight gain or anything else may contribute to shoulder dystocia- I DO know that a properly trained doctor or other birth carer can resolve shoulder dystocia WITHOUT HARMING THE BABY.....THAT is the issue. It is never the mother's fault!