"Be Prepared for a C-Section" (re: Today's appointment)

Christine&Mario · October 2011

34 week appointment was today with ultrasound, because I was measuring ahead at my 32 week. Sure enough, I am expecting a gigantic baby - she is measuring 6 pounds 12 ounces and 37 weeks! I definitely cried twice, first with the u/s tech and again with my OB.

The good news is, everybody is healthy. My blood pressure is good (which I was worried about with all my nutty swelling), and the baby is active, healthy, and proportional (ie, everything is measuring at 37 weeks - head, belly, yadda yadda). And she has a full head of hair and the cutest little nose and cheeks! Also, we got a super-duper clear shot of her girl parts, so there is no room for error on that either

So, the OB tells me a few things:

- Calm down, Christine! You're just having a big baby, it's not the end of the world!

- Get another glucose test, Christine! Because I know you love them so much!

- You are superduper anemic, Christine, so if you don't want a blood transfusion you'd better keep up with your iron supplements, even if they make you constipated and give you hemorrhoids!

- Be prepared for a c-section, Christine. The earliest we would do an induction would be 39 weeks (big baby =/= medical reason for induction before 39 weeks) and at 39 weeks your baby would probably be too big for a safe vaginal birth, so an induction really isn't a good idea. If you haven't had the baby by 39-40 weeks, it's probably going to be a c-section.

I am ok with a c-section. I see the medical point, and would much rather have a safe c-section than a stuck shoulder or any of those other big baby complications. I guess I am just processing all of this and feeling like.... a little bit of a failure?

Ugh, hormones. I think I'm going to shut my office door and cry it out a little.

smilelari · October 2011

Do some reading. "Big baby" is generally not a valid medical reason for a c-section and shoulder dystocia has very little to do with baby's weight

jb2rn · October 2011

smilelari:
Do some reading. "Big baby" is generally not a valid medical reason for a c-section and shoulder dystocia has very little to do with baby's weight

Yep! I personally would stop thinking c-section. You don't know if baby will fit, until you try. Sorry they s ares you so much.

varkeyr · October 2011

jb2rn:
smilelari:
Do some reading. "Big baby" is generally not a valid medical reason for a c-section and shoulder dystocia has very little to do with baby's weight
Yep! I personally would stop thinking c-section. You don't know if baby will fit, until you try. Sorry they s ares you so much.

Unless the baby is breech, and everything has been tried to turn the baby I wouldn't do a c-section without trying to deliver vaginally! Don't let them scare you into a c-section.

smilelari · October 2011

varkeyr:
jb2rn:
smilelari:
Do some reading. "Big baby" is generally not a valid medical reason for a c-section and shoulder dystocia has very little to do with baby's weight
Yep! I personally would stop thinking c-section. You don't know if baby will fit, until you try. Sorry they s ares you so much.
Unless the baby is breech, and everything has been tried to turn the baby I wouldn't do a c-section without trying to deliver vaginally! Don't let them scare you into a c-section.

Full placenta previa would be another reason to go straight to cesarean

ejgballerina · October 2011

My baby is measuring huge also. My fundal measurements are 38 weeks at 32 weeks. The last growth scan at 31 weeks put him in the 90th percentile for height and weight and 5 lbs. That being said, the measurements are not always accurate so I do take what they say with a grain of salt. I wouldn't automatically start preparing for a c-section, you really never know! I'm really hoping and advocating for a vaginal birth myself. Baby is currently sitting transverse so I hope he flips soon!

ChrissyT54 · October 2011

regardless of the c-section due to weight... don't trust the weight they give you.

These early ultrasound weight estimates are almost always wrong... and not just by a few oz.

The day before I had DD they told me they thought she was about 9.5 and she was born at 7.8

snowkiwi · October 2011

Sorry to kinda hijack your post - I realise you are worried and I am sorry for your stress, but unless there's a some factor necessitating a c-section as the PPs mention above e.g. placenta, baby position etc, I swear I don't understand why doctors 'threaten' a c-section based on baby's size or weight without even seeing if Mum can safely deliver vaginally. My mother had 4 babies by vaginal delivery weighing anywhere from 9lbs 8oz to 10lbs 12oz (no GD with any of them and either zero or minimal tearing). No issues, not even a hint of a c-section. I am seriously beginning to think some of these OBs are just knife-happy surgery geeks.

RedCamaro · October 2011

Agreed, that the weight estimates by u/s can be very off. But you shouldn't feel like a failure, if anything you should feel like the "Mircle Grow Mom". I hope you feel better about all of this soon. And GL on your next glucose test!

MommaErica · October 2011

Don't feel like a failure! You're growing a healthy baby That's a huge SUCCESS

Also, don't pay too much attention to the "big baby isn't a reason for a c section" feedback you're getting here. NONE of these women has had an opportunity to asses your pelvis, nor do they have the knowledge or training to do it appropriately even if the opportunity arose. Trust your doctor here. If she feels that YOU can't safely a baby of a given size, a c section is your best and safest option, it doesn't really matter if some other woman could safely deliver that baby vaginally. Everyone is different and your doctor has more information about YOU than anyone here or anything on the internet.

shanniebananie · October 2011

smilelari:
Do some reading. "Big baby" is generally not a valid medical reason for a c-section and shoulder dystocia has very little to do with baby's weight

This. I have large babies and have never been told they were to large to birth.

emma&katiesmom · October 2011

Please don't feel like a failure! You're growing a baby - there is no rule book that says a birth is supposed to go a certain way except that we hope for a healthy baby and mom at the end. Even if you do end up with a c-section, that's nothing to be upset about. Granted, it's the only method of birth I know, but in my opinion you've already completed an amazing feat - grown a human being that you will love, nurture, and guide! Please don't get wrapped up in the "how the baby was born" - the important thing is that in a few short weeks your LO will be here and you will never know such love as the moment you hear them cry... regardless of how they get here.

Christine&Mario · October 2011

Ladies, thank you so much for all of the feedback.. I really don't know what I would do without this board some days! I'm going to start calling myself a miracle grow momma from now on Wink

I think what one of the pp's said is a good point - it doesn't matter so much how the baby comes out as long as we are safe and healthy. And for now I will just smile and celebrate the fact that I have a healthy baby inside me, and maybe celebrate the other fact that I left the tags on all my newborn onesies and can go trade them in for 0-3 month sized ones

authorofdreamz · October 2011

That's weird that they would rather do a c-section than an earlier induction. My friend was induced at 38 weeks with both of her sons because they were both over 9lbs and they didn't want to risk needing a c-section if they waited.

adri77 · October 2011

MommaErica:

Don't feel like a failure! You're growing a healthy baby That's a huge SUCCESS

Also, don't pay too much attention to the "big baby isn't a reason for a c section" feedback you're getting here. NONE of these women has had an opportunity to asses your pelvis, nor do they have the knowledge or training to do it appropriately even if the opportunity arose. Trust your doctor here. If she feels that YOU can't safely a baby of a given size, a c section is your best and safest option, it doesn't really matter if some other woman could safely deliver that baby vaginally. Everyone is different and your doctor has more information about YOU than anyone here or anything on the internet.

Yeah, this. I can't stand when people get preachy on here re: c-sections and inductions etc. Unless they have med degrees. I wish you a healthy delivery/healthy delivery regardless of how she comes out. FWIW, when a friend was pg and they were anticipating a big baby based on U/S, they were dead on....at 39 weeks the baby came out weighing over 11 lbs.

Mama2Be11911 · October 2011

I'm in the SAME boat as you! Baby is measuring in the 93rd percentile and I have GD. My doctor went straight to c-section talk because her tummy and shoulder measurements are huge and she doesn't want shoulder issues. She also won't c-section or induce before 39 weeks AND with an amnio (no thanks).

I'm kind of tired of people telling me that "growth ultrasounds" can be off. I'm totally aware of that but I have to trust my doctors recommendations at this point and NOT strangers that tell me how they feel on a forum. I know someone who had shoulder problems at birth and she's 24 and still goes to physical therapy for problems. I do not want to put my child through that ever, if I can help it.

So, we'll see how big she is again this week and the next. And if it's a c-section, then that's what it will have to be. As long as she's healthy that's all I care about!

smilelari · October 2011

MommaErica:
Don't feel like a failure! You're growing a healthy baby That's a huge SUCCESS
Also, don't pay too much attention to the "big baby isn't a reason for a c section" feedback you're getting here. NONE of these women has had an opportunity to asses your pelvis, nor do they have the knowledge or training to do it appropriately even if the opportunity arose. Trust your doctor here. If she feels that YOU can't safely a baby of a given size, a c section is your best and safest option, it doesn't really matter if some other woman could safely deliver that baby vaginally. Everyone is different and your doctor has more information about YOU than anyone here or anything on the internet.

Trust your doctor, yes, but in the case of a planned c-section, remember that it's major surgery and it's always wise to get a second opinion before agreeing to major surgery.

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