Story submitted by Deneine on September 18, 1999 at 07:43:37:
Deneine is 34, from Oneonta/AL/US.
Family:Husband-Toney, Dtr=13, Son=6
Hello. Being a labor & delivery nurse, I had heard of Erb's Palsy, but had never seen it first hand. On Sept. 3, we checked into the unit where I work for elective induction of our third child. At 6:45 my doctor broke my water and started the pitocin. At 9:00 I got a great epidural and started pushing by 10:30. I had no problem pushing her down and we really weren't expecting a BIG baby. Her head delivered and my doctor said, "We've go a big girl." ..and of course a shoulder dystocia, but was easily reduced within one push. At 11:47 we had a 10 lb. 2 1/2 oz, 22 1/2 inch baby girl. She had poor respiratory effort/cry and was taken to NICU where she stayed for 8 days. My doctor came back in and discussed Erb's with us. He assurred us that most resolve within 4 mos, and that he felt certain hers would since he hardly had to pull at all compared to most. The neonatologist came in and updated us on her lung status which was our main concern. She was 4 days old before I ever got to hold her. Luckily I was able to stay at the hospital with her. Two days before we were discharged, OT came in and went over the ROM excercises and made her a splint to wear for her wrist and fingers.(She wears it at alternating nursings to prevent contractures.) Already she is moving her pointer finger, thumb and wrist. Five days ago I wondered if there would ever by any movement to her arm. I thank God for her progress! The nurse's in the NICU told us of a baby girl who had no movement for 9 mos, but suddenly started moving her fingers and now can't tell she ever had Erb's. This is a scarey, frustrating thing...I'm a nurse...I want to fix it. I thank God for the empathy I'm gaining as we walk through this whole experience. Overwhelming is such an understatement!
Thanks for listening and for any words of experience! Deneine
©Copyright 1997 Erbs Palsy Information & Resource Group.