Is anyone else going through this?

whittier06 · September 2011

My doc is sending me to get a CT to measure my pelvic bones and then a sonogram to measure baby's head, because he thinks his head wont fit. My mom had a problem with a small pelvis, and MIL had a problem with with big-headed babies.

Is anyone else's doctor considering c-section for a big baby? This has such a stigma that goes along with it, it makes me uneasy. BUT my doctor is one of the #1 OBGYN in my city, and has been for years.

lwogsland · September 2011

If your dr is taking the time to do a CT..he's genuinely trying to not c-section you if it's not necessary (but at least looking into it based on his gut feeling and your family history)...and thats REALLY rare. I'm impressed

None of the Dr's that I work with ever do that..they just highly encourage a c-section..or do one as soon as the head doesn't descend.

happylady07 · September 2011

I'm definitely no expert, but several of the books I have read say that you really can't tell if the baby will fit through the pelvis or not until you go into labor. They can make estimates, but if it were me I would at least want to see how things progressed before jumping into a c-section for what could be a big baby. How the baby handles labor and whether there is adequate progression would be the true indicator of if they would fit or not, I would think. But again, I'm no expert.

HPickle23 · September 2011

I've heard of Drs doing this. Personally I would have asked the necessity of the CT scan since you are being exposed to radiation. I agree with PP, even if they did estimates on how big or small your pelvis, your baby might do just fine being delivered vaginally. I am glad that your Dr is taking steps to reduce the need for a C-section. I would have just told my Dr that I would like to trial labor and see how it goes before we think about c-sections; unless it's a case where you hospital is not equipped for emergency c-sections and it would benefit to know ahead of time. I'm no expert either, but this sounds like a circumstantial issue and there could be lots of reasons he would need to know. Good luck!

Sammy-Mae · September 2011

Screw the stigma. If your doctor is taking steps to measure the size of your pelvis and the baby's head then good for him. If he says he thinks you need a c-section because of it, ask him questions and make a decision with him that makes you comfortable. What matters is the health of you and your baby and if that involves a c-section then so be it. He can make an educated guess based on what he's looking at and he is an expert. Will he be able to say that he is 100% sure that you will or won't be able to deliver the baby? Probably not, but if he is willing to go to these lengths to check things out, seriously consider what he has to say. What is most important is that you and your baby are healthy.

rkto · September 2011

right now, my baby is measuring 90%ile. The doctor said if she continues with that type of growth and ends up 95th percentile or more, they will do a CS. They said I can try to go vaginally first if I want. I said - if they think that a C=section is likely, I would rather just start that way. I have too many friends that have attempted vaginal birth for so long and been so uncomfortable and ended up in emergency section anyway - no thanks.

but she may slow her growth rate. I have another u/s in 2 weeks.

stardust317 · September 2011

My doc just told me I have a very narrow pelvis, and she does not see good things coming from a head trying to get through there.

MamaChanChan · September 2011

It really saddens me to see how many posts that involve the doctors telling the women their "pelvis is too small to deliver their baby"... Unless there is some medical problem with you or your baby there is absolutely no reason your baby's head is too big for your pelvis. Yes your baby may have a huge head but the head of your baby right now is not connected and molds to your opening during birth and the few hours after your baby is born the shape of the head changes dramatically to the normal shape and size. Do not let them tell you you need a C-section just because your baby's head is "too big"... Womens (mothers) bodies KNOWS their baby and is capable of almost the impossible when it comes to giving birth. Have power of your body, birth, and baby!! Much love to you

ladybirda · September 2011

I think it's good that they are trying to anticipate any possible problems DH's cousin had a baby whose head was too big and she ended up being much more wiped out after the birth because she had tried to push for hours so she essentially had to recover from the effects of both a vaginal birth and a CS. But I think if you want to try delivering vaginally you should be allowed to see how far you can progress. Scans and ultrasounds are off all the time.

OUKap · September 2011

My doctor mentioned the possibility of having a small pelvis, but it was a wait and see. I delivered vaginally with no problems.

Accounting Chick · September 2011

MamaChanChan:
It really saddens me to see how many posts that involve the doctors telling the women their "pelvis is too small to deliver their baby"... Unless there is some medical problem with you or your baby there is absolutely no reason your baby's head is too big for your pelvis. Yes your baby may have a huge head but the head of your baby right now is not connected and molds to your opening during birth and the few hours after your baby is born the shape of the head changes dramatically to the normal shape and size. Do not let them tell you you need a C-section just because your baby's head is "too big"... Womens (mothers) bodies KNOWS their baby and is capable of almost the impossible when it comes to giving birth. Have power of your body, birth, and baby!! Much love to you

This is not true. There are MANY women out there who have ended up having emergency c-sections because the baby is unable to descend because their head is too big for the mom's pelvis. You would rather these women sacrifice the safety and health (and possible life) of their child because their "bodies know their baby"?

To the OP - it sounds like your doctor is doing everything in his power to make sure that his opinion is based more just on possibilities or a hunch. If he suggests a c-section, I would recommend that you forget about the "stigma" and make a decision based upon his opinion and what you feel is best for you and a healthy babe.

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