- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Natural Birth
Any plus-size/obese unmedicated births here?
I just sat down with my OB last night and told him I wanted an unmedicated birth, with little to no interventions, unless totally medically necessary. He told me that I could try if I wanted to, but because I'm a "large woman" (a.k.a. obese), that I'm going to have a large baby, so to be prepared for labor not to progress or other interventions to avoid shoulder dysplasia. Also, he doesn't let anyone at his practice get to 40 weeks (!!!) so as to avoid large babies. I have had no complications at all this whole pregnancy. I don't have high BP, and no GD (my glucose has been tested 3 times, and have been great each time).
I'm absolutely prepared to stick to my guns and decline any procedures I don't want. I was just wondering if any plus-size/obese ladies here have had successful unmedicated births?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Any plus-size/obese unmedicated births here?
If what you say is true, it sounds like your doctor is engaging in size discrimination. Does he have a reason for testing your glucose three times? And not letting anyone go to 40 weeks?!
I'm obese and currently at 39w4d. I just had my first NST today, and Dr. B said Noah looks "perfect." I have informed her of my plans to go natural, and she is 100% supportive. My BP has been great, no GD, and baby is measuring right on target for an average size at birth. I've not had to undergo any "extra" testing because of my pre-pregnancy weight, and my doctor has never said anything to me about weight gain during pregnancy except to tell me a few times lately that she's pleased that I've only gained about 15 pounds total. She didn't require me not to gain more than that and never pressured me, even at the visit where I was up 4 pounds in 2 weeks.
I would be pretty leery about the doctor you have described. Sounds like he has his own ideas of the way things are going to be and doesn't really care that much about what you want.
Find a new OB or MW. It is not too late. If your current OB is saying all this stuff now, think about what he will be saying when you get closer to birth. People like him will do everything they can to tear you down.
My story is in bio. I was about 50 lbs overweight when I gave birth to Lily. My MW never doubted my ability to give birth naturally. Having a supportive provider is, IMO, one of the most important tools to have the birth you want.
Best wishes.
He told me I needed to be tested so often because my weight is an extra risk factor for GD. I gave him the side-eye, but did them because I'd rather be safe than sorry. I haven't had a u/s since 21 weeks, so I'm not sure how baby is measuring. He's going to give me a biophysical profile at 36 weeks to measure baby and fluid. I've only gained 1 lb. the whole preg.
I know for sure that after this baby I'm running far away from his practice and will seek a midwife for future children. But I'm nervous about making the leap before this baby is born.
It's reassuring to hear there are other obese moms out there who are having, and have had, successful med-free births.
I would find a new provider ASAP if you want an unmedicated, low-intervention birth. This guy is obviously biased against women of size and if he is telling you these things now, I am willing to bet you will be laying on the operating table at 38 weeks pregnant, getting a c-section.
With no good reason (sugar in your urine) there was no reason to make you test for GD 3x. That is ridiculous.
Just the fact that he admits no one in his practice is allowed to go to 40 weeks would make me run for the hills.
Just wanted to add that it sounds like he will induce you at 39 weeks, and if your body is not ready, that increases the odds of you needing all the interventions that your doctor mentioned. He probably expects to see all these things because he has a warped way of practicing medicine and viewing a woman's body. It also sounds like he will not cope well with his decisions being challenged, which is a bigger problem since he seems to want to make poor decisions for you.
I agree with the PP who say to look for another provider. If all you have described is accurate, this doctor's behavior is outrageous, and he's already talked you into unnecessary tests (3x for GD when you have only gained 1 pd. and have no other indicators??) during your pregnancy.
This. I would totally switch providers if you want a med-free birth. Sounds like this OB will make it very difficult for you to have one, unless your baby happens to be one that is ready to be born before 39-40 weeks. I wouldn't proceed with this OB any longer given the lower odds of that. It's hard to think about switching, but probably easier than recovering physically and emotionally from an unnecessary c-section.
I am a plus sized mom and my DD was 7 pounds, 6 ounces.
I just want to comment on how you are prepared to stick to your guns and decline any unnecessary procedures. Good for you! I wish I would have done that with my DD, I was induced for high blood pressure, I only had high blood pressure at my appointments never when I checked it myself. I was really anxious at my appointments and had a case of white coat syndrome, I told them that, but the brushed me off. I regret being induced when I knew it wasn't necessary, but lacked the confidence to stick up for myself. My labor and delivery was fine, just not the way I had envisioned it.
Good luck!
I'm mostly a lurker, but I felt like I had to respond to this. If you're feeling this way now, go ahead and make the switch.
I have a friend who lives in Beachwood (I was born in Pt. Pleasant and my whole family is in the Lavallette area) and I will ask her about her OB if you'd like. She's pretty crunchy.
ETA: talked to the friend- she reccomends Toms River OBGYN, Dr. Sunkavalli. There are 3 doctors there and she likes the other 2 as well
It's easy to say now youwill just refurse, but when you're there it's a lot harder. You start wondering what if and you're exhaused and it's stressful. You need a supporter, not someone to combat with. If you can find someone, it will be SOworth the switch to at least give yourself the chance to have a good experience.
I switched to a homebirth MW at 25 weeks. If I hadn't, I would have ended up with a failed induction and unnecessary c-section.
Please consider switching now. I understand how you are feeling, however it is just not worth the risk (and don't fool yourself that it isn't a risk staying with this Dr.)
You have plenty of time.
GL
Sorry for the post-and-run yesterday (work got a little crazy).
Thank you so so so much for all the advice and support! I am definitely going to look for another OB or midwife. It was very helpful to hear that I'm not crazy! heh It is very important to have someone on board with you and supportive of you.
And, alliejoe, thank you! I live in Brick, and that Toms River office is very close to me. I'll definitely give them a call.
I was 20 lbs overweight when I got pregnant with my son (2nd baby) and I don't know exactly what I gained, but it was probably between 30 and 40 lbs. I had a totally uncomplicated homebirth to a 8 lb 12 oz baby boy. That SEEMS sort of big, but he's built like my hubby who's a big guy and he was very proportional.
My MWs never said word 1 about my weight. I had the GD test and did fine, and that was that.
I echo the other ladies who suggest another OB or a MW. Even if he WASN'T spouting all this stuff about your risk of GD and your weight, he doesn't "let" anyone go to 40 weeks?!?! Insanity. I have a friend whose OB was like that and both her kids were induced at 39 weeks for no reason. Makes no sense, PLUS it increases the chance you'll end up with a c/s and depending on your options where you live, 1 c/s can make it much harder (or even impossible) to get a vaginal birth.
Good luck to you!
It's definietly not too late to change providers and I really hope you find one that's more "real women" friendly.
I'm obese (100 lbs over-weight) and I can tell you that extra pounds on moms OR babies do not always equal complicated births. My son was large (10 lbs to be exact) but I had no problem delivering him at home with no interventions- I didn't even tear thanks to pushing guidance from my midwife. The record high birth weight for her practice (all natural births at home or at her birthing center, mind you) is 11 lbs 9 oz (!!!) and the baby and mom were totally fine.
Experiences like yours really upset me. It seems like more and more OBs are just looking for reasons to pump you full of drugs and cut you open. If you're healthy and testing low-risk there is no reason for you to be pressured into anything you're not comfortable with intervention-wise. The idea that this guy wont even let women go past 40 weeks tells you all you need to know: he's more interested in cashing in with assembly-line medicine than giving you the birth you and your baby deserve. You CAN have the birth you want. Good luck!