No C Section please!!

CoreW12

I am almost 32 weeks and at my appointment yesterday my doctor told me I was going to have a large baby. My doctor asked how much I weighed when I was born and I said 10 pounds, but I was my mom's 4th child and she is larger than me. my BF was 7 pounds and a twin. He is his mom's third child and she is larger than me as well. (both moms delivered vaginally)

FTM and heard if your baby is large the doctor may want you to have a C Section and I would rather have my baby vaginally ( I do plan on having an epidural).

Before pregnancy I weighed 115. I am 5'4 and narrow build (size 3 pant).

Anyone else smaller sized who delivered a large baby??

Any advice??

RedCherry1109

Unless your Doctor had brought it up to you, I wouldn't worry about it. 

smilejenn

RedCherry1109:

Unless your Doctor had brought it up to you, I wouldn't worry about it. 

 This. I've had friends with small builds deliver 10lb babies without a c-section.

ceechie

I was 135 at start of pregnancy and 5'6". My son was 9lbs and 11 oz., born vag with no meds. So a little bigger then you but normal. My ob said if your body built it, your body can get it out. I was scared but did it!

Ms.Wax

I'm a big believer in our bodies only growing babies we can get out naturally.  The only exception would be when diet or medical conditions (GD) interfere with this.  So if you are eating a healthy diet and don't have any other conditions that would cause a baby to be unnaturally large, don't let your doctor talk you into anything you don't want.  It's YOUR choice.

MommyKristin88

RedCherry1109:

Unless your Doctor had brought it up to you, I wouldn't worry about it. 

logoz80

Wait and see what the baby is measuring during your last sono. It's not necessary to have a c section for a large baby, but it may be easier on you. Just let your doctor know that you want a vaginal birth unless an emergency arises. 

Redrose101307

Ms.Wax:

I'm a big believer in our bodies only growing babies we can get out naturally.  The only exception would be when diet or medical conditions (GD) interfere with this.  So if you are eating a healthy diet and don't have any other conditions that would cause a baby to be unnaturally large, don't let your doctor talk you into anything you don't want.  It's YOUR choice.

 

This!!

my doc had tried this talk with my first (she was 9.6 delivered vaginally at 40w2d) and is already talking induction/C-section with this one. she's also on track to be big.

i'm not worried, I had no problems with my first one and i'm not anticipating an issue with this one. should an emergency arise that's a different story but i'm fully planning on waiting on when she's ready to come and delivering vaginally.

cjm724

Our birthing instructor told us yesterday that it doesn't matter how you are built on the outside, but your internal pelvic anatomy. She also said that it's the head circumference that makes a difference, not the weight of the baby.  Some little babies just have big heads! Plus, due to the loosening of your ligaments, your hips may widen a bit when it comes down to labor time.  I would wait to make any decisions.

CoreW12

Thanks for the responses! I feel a bit relieved. I will make sure my doctor knows my plans when we talk about my birth plan next appointment.

pantsarella

My mom is 5'5' and 110lb soaking wet. She delivered 3 babies all over 9lbs each. Just because you're small doesn't mean you can't deliver a big baby.

erineliza311

I hate to be the only Debbie Downer here, but I would be cautious. I had my first at 37 wks, no drugs and he was 8 lbs and practically fell out on the way to the hospital. I figured the next one would be a breeze.

Boy was I wrong! At 35 weeks he measured 8.5 lbs. I was induced at 37 weeks due to Pre-E. We discussed a c-section, but my doctor and I felt confident that I could do it vaginally. I went in for the induction at 6 am on a Friday, had water broken at 10 am on Saturday and started pushing at noon. Three hours and 16 minutes of pushing later, they finally got him out by breaking his arm. He had gotten stuck in the birth canal and we both almost died. He had to be airlifted to Children's Hospital where he stayed for one week. I had to have two and a half hours of surgery to fix the damage that was done trying to get him out (that's when I finally got the epi as well).

Looking back, I would have gotten a C. But, at the time, I felt confident in my decision. My little dude weighed 10 lbs 6 oz. He is fine now, his arm healed in 3 weeks and he has had no long term effects from the birth trauma. I suffered from very bad PPD and ended up pumping exclusively for a year because we could never get nursing down due to my PPD and his stay in the NICU.

This time around I will be having a c-section. It is not my utmost desire, but having a healthy (live) baby is! I know that only you and your doctor can make this decision, but don't feel bad if you go for the C. The ultimate goal is a healthy outcome in the end...Good luck to you!

Mom38673

There are recordings of large women who can not birth small babies and small women who can not birth big babies.  If you want to try to deliver the baby (regardless of estimated size), I think you should try.  As long as your doctor is comfortable with this as well.  I had a section with my first because she was breech.  I say only do a c-section if it is necessary.  My section was an easy delivery and recovery.  I am your size, and I understand it sounding scary.  The thought of 10lb+ coming out your whooha just makes you flinch a bit! 

 

tokenhoser

Please read the ACOG stance on induction for large babies:

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0701/p169.html

Good doctors don't induce for a baby under 9 lb 4 oz, and they don't advise c-sections without considering induction first. 

kelseypie

cjm724:

Our birthing instructor told us yesterday that it doesn't matter how you are built on the outside, but your internal pelvic anatomy. She also said that it's the head circumference that makes a difference, not the weight of the baby. nbsp;Some little babies just have big heads! Plus, due to the loosening of your ligaments, your hips may widen a bit when it comes down to labor time. nbsp;I would wait to make any decisions.

This. Just because you're skinny doesn't mean your pelvic opening won't be wide enough, and if you're big you can still have a narrow pelvic opening. Not really something you can just tell by looking at someone.

LaBellaVida

erineliza311:

I hate to be the only Debbie Downer here, but I would be cautious. I had my first at 37 wks, no drugs and he was 8 lbs and practically fell out on the way to the hospital. I figured the next one would be a breeze.

Boy was I wrong! At 35 weeks he measured 8.5 lbs. I was induced at 37 weeks due to Pre-E. We discussed a c-section, but my doctor and I felt confident that I could do it vaginally. I went in for the induction at 6 am on a Friday, had water broken at 10 am on Saturday and started pushing at noon. Three hours and 16 minutes of pushing later, they finally got him out by breaking his arm. He had gotten stuck in the birth canal and we both almost died. He had to be airlifted to Children's Hospital where he stayed for one week. I had to have two and a half hours of surgery to fix the damage that was done trying to get him out (that's when I finally got the epi as well).

Looking back, I would have gotten a C. But, at the time, I felt confident in my decision. My little dude weighed 10 lbs 6 oz. He is fine now, his arm healed in 3 weeks and he has had no long term effects from the birth trauma. I suffered from very bad PPD and ended up pumping exclusively for a year because we could never get nursing down due to my PPD and his stay in the NICU.

This time around I will be having a c-section. It is not my utmost desire, but having a healthy (live) baby is! I know that only you and your doctor can make this decision, but don't feel bad if you go for the C. The ultimate goal is a healthy outcome in the end...Good luck to you!

150% this!! There are some woman who just can not birth a large baby vaginally!! It doesn't matter how you are built. And I fully disagree with a PP about if your body can build it, it can deliver it. Clearly not in all cases! My friend had a baby, a big one at that, and he got stuck in the birth canal also- and he broke his collar bone to get out! She would have been better off with a C-section. I fully believe in taking the advice from your Dr. They know what they are talking about, and want what is best for you and your baby, even if they estimate your baby to be larger, and you go in to have a C-section and your baby comes out much smaller then anticipated, its better to be safe then sorry IMHO! I would rather not even risk any complication with me or my baby. Yes, ideally a vaginal birth is the best way to go, and I wouldn't want to go any other way, unless my Dr. fully believed I needed a C-section. You still have some time to talk it all over with your OB and come to a decision that will be best for you, and your baby! GL to you!!

CPBP

LoisLayn23:

Ms.Wax:

I'm a big believer in our bodies only growing babies we can get out naturally.  The only exception would be when diet or medical conditions (GD) interfere with this.  So if you are eating a healthy diet and don't have any other conditions that would cause a baby to be unnaturally large, don't let your doctor talk you into anything you don't want.  It's YOUR choice.

Well, you are believing falsely. That's just ridiculous.

Yeah, I disagree, too.  This is why lots of babies and mothers died during childbirth back in the day.  

It is your choice, but it's also your choice to ignore the recommendations of your mechanic.  I'm in the "I'll trust the professional" camp...within reason, of course.

tokenhoser

CPBP:

LoisLayn23:

Ms.Wax:

I'm a big believer in our bodies only growing babies we can get out naturally.  The only exception would be when diet or medical conditions (GD) interfere with this.  So if you are eating a healthy diet and don't have any other conditions that would cause a baby to be unnaturally large, don't let your doctor talk you into anything you don't want.  It's YOUR choice.

Well, you are believing falsely. That's just ridiculous.

Yeah, I disagree, too.  This is why lots of babies and mothers died during childbirth back in the day.  

It is your choice, but it's also your choice to ignore the recommendations of your mechanic.  I'm in the "I'll trust the professional" camp...within reason, of course.

Back in the day, lots of women had rickets. It's really not so simple as to say "every c-section saves a life!!!11!".

It's good to trust your doctor... if you've got a competent, current, trustworthy doctor. Who should probably be following ACOG guidelines unless there is a truly compelling reason not to. 

BelhurstBride

Baby's position and mom's pelvic anatomy has far more to do with how successful a vaginal birth is than babe's or mom's size. 

lkobriant

cjm724:

Our birthing instructor told us yesterday that it doesn't matter how you are built on the outside, but your internal pelvic anatomy. She also said that it's the head circumference that makes a difference, not the weight of the baby.  Some little babies just have big heads! Plus, due to the loosening of your ligaments, your hips may widen a bit when it comes down to labor time.  I would wait to make any decisions.

This!  We have a friend who has a bigger build, wider hips, and birthed a 10 lb boy.  Sadly, his head was just too big and he got stuck in the birth canal leading to a c section.  I agree with everyone else, if your doctor hasn't mentioned it I wouldn't worry just yet.  

mrs.JL

It is not only about size but also positioning of the baby. How a baby is presenting can make or break a vaginal birth. Head circumference has little but not a lot to do with it as the LOs skull bone overlap while traveling through the birth canal. Check out spinning babies.com it talk a tone about positioning and things to improve it and labour.

ceechie

brandilc84:

erineliza311:

I hate to be the only Debbie Downer here, but I would be cautious. I had my first at 37 wks, no drugs and he was 8 lbs and practically fell out on the way to the hospital. I figured the next one would be a breeze.

Boy was I wrong! At 35 weeks he measured 8.5 lbs. I was induced at 37 weeks due to Pre-E. We discussed a c-section, but my doctor and I felt confident that I could do it vaginally. I went in for the induction at 6 am on a Friday, had water broken at 10 am on Saturday and started pushing at noon. Three hours and 16 minutes of pushing later, they finally got him out by breaking his arm. He had gotten stuck in the birth canal and we both almost died. He had to be airlifted to Children's Hospital where he stayed for one week. I had to have two and a half hours of surgery to fix the damage that was done trying to get him out (that's when I finally got the epi as well).

Looking back, I would have gotten a C. But, at the time, I felt confident in my decision. My little dude weighed 10 lbs 6 oz. He is fine now, his arm healed in 3 weeks and he has had no long term effects from the birth trauma. I suffered from very bad PPD and ended up pumping exclusively for a year because we could never get nursing down due to my PPD and his stay in the NICU.

This time around I will be having a c-section. It is not my utmost desire, but having a healthy (live) baby is! I know that only you and your doctor can make this decision, but don't feel bad if you go for the C. The ultimate goal is a healthy outcome in the end...Good luck to you!

150% this!! There are some woman who just can not birth a large baby vaginally!! It doesn't matter how you are built. And I fully disagree with a PP about if your body can build it, it can deliver it. Clearly not in all cases! My friend had a baby, a big one at that, and he got stuck in the birth canal also- and he broke his collar bone to get out! She would have been better off with a C-section. I fully believe in taking the advice from your Dr. They know what they are talking about, and want what is best for you and your baby, even if they estimate your baby to be larger, and you go in to have a C-section and your baby comes out much smaller then anticipated, its better to be safe then sorry IMHO! I would rather not even risk any complication with me or my baby. Yes, ideally a vaginal birth is the best way to go, and I wouldn't want to go any other way, unless my Dr. fully believed I needed a C-section. You still have some time to talk it all over with your OB and come to a decision that will be best for you, and your baby! GL to you!!

Like these pp, defiantly listen to doc. They went to med school! However, I would also look into stats on this. Yes, there are horror stories about big babies and birth. But there are also horror stories for all aspects of pregnancy and labor. I can't help but wonder how many big babies are birthed vaginally without complications vs those with serious complications.
I mean, the main thing with this is working with your doctor for your own best senerio and out come for you and baby.
I believed and went forward with my ob on our birth plan. But every birth and every mom is different!

A37licia

This link hasn't been working well today because the site has been overloaded, but I've just started reading it. It should be of interest to you:

What is the Evidence for Induction or Cesarean for a Big Baby?

It's long, but worth reading if this is something that concerns you, especially if your OB starts talking about how big baby is going to be. 

ElKatBee

I'm also on track for a big baby, and terrified of having a c-section. I agree with everyone here that says if your doctor hasn't mentioned it, don't stress yourself out about it too much. One thing I would add, though, it helped me to make a 'Plan B' birth plan, just in case a c-section becomes necessary. Even though I plan on delivering vaginally and don't foresee any complications, I feel a lot better knowing that if an emergency did arrive, I have planned and prepared for it, I can feel a little bit in control.

Remember: no birth is 'better' than another, the important thing at the end of the day is the baby in your arms, however he/she gets there. Good luck! 

momofcatan

No real advice, but wanted to let you know that my OB mentioned at my last appointment that she delivered an 11lbs baby this past weekend.