C-section vs. vaginal delivery

hkittylover

Hi, This is my first time posting here. Since 34 weeks my doctor has been concerned about the weight of my baby - I have had a healthy pregnancy up to this point with no diabetes or excessive weight gain. I got an ultrasound done around 35 weeks and everything was within normal range (I don't know the sex but he/she was still measuring bigger than average but nothing too concerning). I'm now 40 weeks (41 on Friday) and at my appointment yesterday concerns were brought up on me being induced and that the baby could possibly get stuck because of my frame and its abdomen is very large. The way it was presented I felt best moving forward scheduling a c-section because I don't want to risk the health of the baby. My question to all you mommas out there is if any of you had to make a similar decision. I was 'hoping' to have an all natural birth so this change to my birth plan has been overwhelming. Was looking for some validation in our decision or if I need to do some more research.!

allthingscozy

Well first there is nothing "unnatural" about having a c section a better term would be to say an unmedicated vaginal delivery

i wanted to have a medicated vaginal delivery but baby went into distress and I was forced to have an emergency c section and suddenly had nurses and dr's around me rushing me to the or and having to me completely put under. That was extremely frightening and overwhelming. it sounds like because of your frame and baby size it could cause the baby to go into distress and I would hate to have someone else go through what I went through. That being said I would do it again to end up with a healthy baby. If you plan to have a c section you could be awake for it. I guess I'm one who tends to just trust my dr's advice but I also had a great relationship with my OB. 

Hope it goes well.

KASG

If at all possible, maybe try to do vaginal first, possibly with assistance. They'll let you know if a C-section is the best option.

Edit: I misread your original post. If they suggested c-section, you can always let em know your wishes but it may not be feasible. 

megstervt

Like @backbypopulardemand I had an emergency c-section. I would not recommend it.  If my doc was suggesting a scheduled CS, I'd probably listen. At least with the schedule you can potentially have more control (look at "gentle c-section") and avoid general anesthesia.

Lizbeth86

@hkittylover I'm lurking from June 2016 group. I had the same situation except I was at 39 weeks and Dr recommended a c section bc baby was estimated to be big. He said same thing about the risk of head coming out and not the rest of the baby, and shoulders getting stuck. I was cynical bc my hospital has a ridiculously high c section rate, so I opted for an induction. Baby was born vaginally after a looong induction and weighed more than a pound less than the estimate.
Oh, and by the way once the baby's head was out the Dr said there you go, the head is out, like it was all over, and it was bc the rest of the baby followed in a slippery slide. He didn't seem concerned at all once the head was out.
I just wanted to share but honestly a c section is fine, so don't second guess yourself if you go forward with it. I just resent that they seem to prefer it for their own reasons. I second guessed being induced (which was probably not necessary) but what's done is done and at least I didn't have to deliver a bigger baby.

benten24

I was induced due to my son's size. I had measured on track until 39 weeks, when I suddenly measured 43 weeks in fundal height. They did an ultrasound and told me he was 9lbs 12oz to 10lbs 1oz. I was induced at 6am the next morning. I labored for 24 hours, both of us had issues. My BP dropped drastically and baby kept going into distress and his heart rate plummeted into the 40's and 50's multiple times. We finally got both of us safe, and I pushed for two hours. He never budged. I ended up with a c-section because his head was turned sideways in my pelvis and he couldn't get out. He was born at 7lbs 12oz. 

I have a ton of guilt over letting them induce me, which turned out to be needlessly. 

Moral of the story: ultrasounds are a 100% unreliable measure of baby's size and I wish I had let myself go into labor on my own. 

SparkySunshine

I would trust your doctors. My doctor didn't do an ultrasound at the end of this pregnancy, even though I have a history of large babies. So I went to a different dr, got a scan done at 40w 6d, baby was measuring 10 3/4 lbs which is right at the cutoff for the ACOG guidelines for vaginal delivery. Given my sister sustained a life long injury from shoulder dystocia during her birth, I felt more comfortable with a c section than a vaginal delivery for my LO. He was born 10lbs 6.5 oz, I do not regret my decision. Yes, the measurements can be off, but they can be off in either direction.

jennyleigh16

From about 30 weeks onward my dr kept saying I may need a c-section because baby was measuring big. I felt as though whatever got us a healthy baby at the end of the day was OK by me. I was scheduled to be induced at 39+2 but my water broke that morning. I mentioned to the Dr on call (not my OB) that my OB had pushed a c-section and she hemmed and hawwed for a min and then said she didn't think so. 30 mins later she said maybe my OB was right after all and if we didn't see any progress in 15 mins then we'd go to a c-section. I ended up delivering my son vaginally with no epidural 20 mins later. He was 9lbs 7.6 ounces and long. 

All that to say that sometimes Drs can be right about size but you'd also be surprised what your body is capable of.

And plus also, there's nothing wrong with having a c-section.  At the end of the day however you get a healthy baby and a healthy mom is exactly the way it was supposed to happen. 

hkittylover

Thank you all for your advice- I did move forward and confirm the c-section. I wish there was a black and white answer- but I guess this is the first step of many choices in parenting! 

PhoebeJune1984

My first was an emergency c-section and my second was a repeat. My second was 100 times better than my first, including when it came to recovery!

deuxbouledogues

Soooooo I ended up with a c-section and I loved it. I was induced and ended up needing one after 60 hours of "labor." I think that being induced is serious and should be carefully weighed. How the baby comes out after that is decision between you and your care provider and yes YOU should have a say. Every birth experience is different and I am sick of feeling like a c-section is a dirty taboo word. My experience was just as emotional and meaningful as anyone else's. A c-section is in no way an easy way out and I am sure a lot of mamas here can attest to that. I wish I would have advocated for a c-section earlier in the process quite frankly given how unsafe the circumstances became while waiting for my perfect birthing experience. So don't be scared. I for one had a great experience and plan on a repeat c-section for my next. So hang in there and know you're doing great! Just some ragey .02 cents from a mom with an "unnatural" c-section birth seen below.