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December 2011 Moms
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Bump measuring 42 wks

Lexie MarieLexie Marie member
in December 2011 Moms

Yesterday we had our weekly appt and met with the OB that DH and I like the best (we have to rotate between 3 OB's in the office). I told her how at a 32 week u/s they said LO was 6.5 lbs (5 weeks bigger), but the last 3 appt's my belly has only measured 1 week over. She went to go measure my belly and said "Well you?re not measuring 1 week ahead... I show you measuring 5 weeks ahead" ...so that would mean my bump is the size of a 42 week bump not 37 Indifferent She ordered me a urgent ultrasound to get an idea of his weight and said it will vary 1.5 lbs more or less because they aren't 100% accurate, but it will give them a ballpark estimate. Even if he is measuring big my due date will stay the same because he is still only 37 weeks mature ?he just physically grew faster.

She will not induce before 40 weeks unless it is true medical life/death type emergency. Her concern is if Liam is 9+ lbs by 40 weeks my small frame won't be able to vaginally deliver him -his shoulders could get stuck and they would have to purposely break his shoulders, or try and stop and go straight to a emergency c-section. So we might be looking at a c-section all together. I am so upset... I was not expecting this and have prepared myself for 9 months for a vaginal birth. Now idk what to think. Do I elect to have a c-section without even trying to have him vaginally?  Would that just make me seem as though I am giving up and taking the ?easy? route? Mine & Liam?s safety is my #1 priority and it sounds like a c-section would be best but I can't help but feel like I am letting myself down by just signing up for a c-section. Plus how will having a c-section affect BF?ing?

I need some thoughts, advice, encouragement...Confused

ETA: Oh and btw my DH weighed 11 lbs 11 oz at birth... I'm blaming it all on him lol!

Liam Tyler & Emma Grace 
...baby #3 boy MC at 10 weeks


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Re: Bump measuring 42 wks

  • OurJellybeanOurJellybean member
    Your bump has ben looking so much bigger than the average this whole pregnancy, I remember seeing a bump pic of you at 20 something weeks and thinking how interesting it will be to see you right before delivery lol. I think you just have to do what's safest for you and baby and that sounds like a csection. Things never go as we plan but in the end you will have your lo and forget about the rest. You can breast feed the same and its not the eay way out, i thunk its a lot harder! Best of luck Lexi
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  • micaela421micaela421 member
    BF after c-section is no that bad accdg to the lactation consultant I have talked to, there is just a lot of adjustments like making sure you request a boppy in the hospital when you feed him cause you want protect the Incision from hurting, recovery is hard but she said holding that baby while feeding will make the process a little bit easier. good luck!!!
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  • rockychryslerb2010rockychryslerb2010 member
    I am sorry you are in this position, but I know I would be frustrated with my doctor if they recommended a c-section just for a big baby.  I know lots of people who gave birth to big babies (over 10 lbs) vaginally and have not had issues, other than 1 or 2nd degree tears.  Your situation raises two issues I would really think about before making a decision.  I have read that they can't really tell if a women's frame is 'big enough' to birth vaginally before labor.  They can only really tell this when it is happening.  Of course, that means an emergency c section if you starting trying to birth vaginally and cannot.  Also, as you said, the ultrasounds can be off by +/- 1.5 lbs, so if the ultrasound says 10lb baby, it could really be 8.5lbs (of course it could go the other way too).  I know I haven't really given you an answer, but if it was me I would wait to see the result of the ultrasound before making a final decision.  I have been trying to do everything possible to avoid a c-section, but if it is what is best for you and the baby, then it is a no brainer.
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  • lala1608lala1608

    imageOurJellybean:
    Your bump has ben looking so much bigger than the average this whole pregnancy, I remember seeing a bump pic of you at 20 something weeks and thinking how interesting it will be to see you right before delivery lol. I think you just have to do what's safest for you and baby and that sounds like a csection. Things never go as we plan but in the end you will have your lo and forget about the rest. You can breast feed the same and its not the eay way out, i thunk its a lot harder! Best of luck Lexi

    Ditto to this...everytime I see a bump pic of you I say, WOW that little tiny thing has a giant bump on her!  You are definitely ALL belly Smile

    If it makes you feel any better, I know SEVERAL friends and family members who are also tiny and were able to deliver 9 to 10 pound babies vaginally with no problems.

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  • robynlynn83robynlynn83 member

    BFing after c-section is not necessarily difficult.  You can BF in recovery, baby can have skin to skin contact after birth, etc. 

    If you need a c-section, don't be hard on yourself, baby Liam will arrive and it won't matter to you--as you know :)

    Hang in there, mama!

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  • haleymay18haleymay18 member

    I think you should listen and trust your body.  Your body will not make a baby it can't push out. As far as shoulder dystocia goes, do some research on the Gaskin method, it is a birthing method designed and proven to prevent or solve shoulder problems doing delivery. Commonly used in southern states.

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  • DaisyKDDaisyKD

    I wouldn't give up on delivering vaginally.  Especially since your OB is keeping a close eye on it and knows going in that you most likely are going to have a large baby.  They could have everything ready for C-section in case they needed it but still attempt the vaginal birth.  Who knows-everything could go smoothly-they just have to warn you of the risks.

    If it were me I would probably ask my OB what they recommended and go with that.  They deal with these types of things all the time and will know what is the safest route to choose.

    Sorry you are going through this and I hope you are able to come to a decision you're comfortable with. 

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  • Lexie MarieLexie Marie member

    Thanks for your words ladies! I am definitely not making a decision right this moment- but plan to wait until at least the u/s results are back and then I plan to ask my OB what she would do/recommend if it were her in my shoes.

    imagehaleymay18:

    I think you should listen and trust your body.  Your body will not make a baby it can't push out. As far as shoulder dystocia goes, do some research on the Gaskin method, it is a birthing method designed and proven to prevent or solve shoulder problems doing delivery. Commonly used in southern states.

    I am confident my body will know what to do, but just want to be prepared because I really dont want to get to the situation of dealing with shoulder dystocia. I checked on the Gaskin methond and the only probably is I am pretty much banking on a epi which I dont think would allow me to do the Gaskin methond.

    Liam Tyler & Emma Grace 
    ...baby #3 boy MC at 10 weeks


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  • Lexie MarieLexie Marie member
    imageDaisyKD:

    If it were me I would probably ask my OB what they recommended and go with that. They deal with these types of things all the time and will know what is the safest route to choose.

    That is what I think I will more then likely do which I think she will lean to the c-section but I guess I will find out once I talk to her next week!

    Liam Tyler & Emma Grace 
    ...baby #3 boy MC at 10 weeks


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  • mrsfowler1016mrsfowler1016
    I think you only look/measure so big because you were SO tiny before! I would definitely wait a while longer before agreeing to a C Section. As long as Liam is healthy and you are fine, there is no reason to not at least try a vaginal birth. I have 100% confidence you can do it :)
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  • LaurenRinAtlantaLaurenRinAtlanta member
    It depends on how important a vaginal delivery is to you. Are you planning to labor naturally without an epi? If so, you can squat and open up your pelvis a LOT more, but if you're going to have an epi and be on your back, it might be harder to push Liam out. Definitely get a second opinion though if it's important to you. C-sections solely recommended based on a growth ultrasound are ridiculous because as PP said, there is absolutely no way to judge whether you're capable of delivering vaginally based on looking at your frame. I've known people tinier than you that were bigger than you that had zero issues. 
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  • Lexie MarieLexie Marie member

    imagemtb21:
      Your body will rarely make a baby you can't push out vaginally unless you have GD. 

    See I failed my 1 hour and passed my 3 hour.. and my doctor said that if I passed the 3 hour but was... borderline diabetic LO could still be stocking up on the sugar hence his size. So that just throws one more wrench into the mix :/

    Liam Tyler & Emma Grace 
    ...baby #3 boy MC at 10 weeks


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  • sarakiefersarakiefer member

    I can so relate to your situation Lexi.  I've been measuring ahead as well and the thought of c-section scares the crap out of me.  I had a discussion with my OB yesterday and I asked if their practice was one of the ones that would do a c-section if the baby is big.  He said that ultrasounds are so far off on weight measurments that they will let me try vaginally, but if he does seem to be too big to fit, then of course they would have to do an emergency c-section.  This made me feel so much better!  I want to try a vaginal birth instead of going straight to a c-section, because at least then we would know for sure whether or not LO would fit, instead of just guessing.  Apparently I'm in the minority when it comes to his patients wanting c-sections.  He said they usually request them so they don't have to go through labor.  I was really surprised by that.

    When it comes down to it, the best decision is the one you and your DH choose.  If you end up trying a vaginal birth, they should be able to tell you before it's too late if he will be able to fit or not and then do a c-section if he's too big.  Or you could just skip the whole "what if" thing and go straight to a c-section and not worry about laboring or the fact that he may be too big.  There is no wrong answer.  You just have to decide what's most important to you and DH.  Obviously the health of your LO is top priority, but that doesn't mean choosing to do a vaginal birth will be the wrong decision. 

    Just as an example, these are the reasons DH and I would prefer a vaginal birth (our reasons may not be 100% accurate since we are first time parents, but these are our reasons nonetheless):

    - the healing process for a c-section is harder and more painful

    - bonding time would be delayed.  It is important to us that I get to have skin to skin contact right away and try to breastfeed.  (This is the most important reason for us)

    - I'm terrified of surgery

    - spending an hour or 2 in recovery, wouldn't allow for celebrating with our families right away. 

    - I don't know if it would be possible for LO to be with me while in recovery

    - the risk of having future c-sections is high and I feel like I would be robbed of getting to experience a vaginal birth (selfish, I know)

    Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.  Hope this helps and good luck on whatever you and DH decide!

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  • Lexie MarieLexie Marie member

    ^thanks Sara! I think the thing that stresses me out the most are the other two OB's I have to see have opposite views on his size vs. the OB we really like... and I have no idea who will deliver me unless I have a scheduled C-section. They are more go with the flow take it as it comes, and the other is the more we know now the better.

    You prompted me to make a list... 

     

    Pros to c-section are:

    -It is a safer bet, if he is truly really big

    -I will get the OB I trust & like the most to deliver

    -I will know the date to expect

    -Extra time off work covered (Short-term)

     

    Cons:

    -Once LO is here the hard part starts-the recovery?with a newborn.

    -Must have future C-section (probably wouldn?t do VBAC)

    -Have to go to recovery straight after surgery

    -How will my anxiety be able to handle this?

     

     

    Vaginal birth pros:

    -allows me to bond instantly

    -recover quicker (as long as I dont get a 4th degree tear!)-more mobility.

    -once LO is here the hard part is over.

     

    Cons:

    -Risk having Liam and him getting stuck- Shoulder dystocia, nerve damage, etc.

    -Experience labor and all the unknowns (pain, time, risk)

    - Could turn into emergency C-section anyway

    -Tearing extremely bad

     

    Liam Tyler & Emma Grace 
    ...baby #3 boy MC at 10 weeks


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  • chankins14chankins14 member

    I agree with a lotof the PPs.  It really will come down to what you feel most comfortable with & how much you want to , but my 2 cents:

    ~  The u/s is not an accurate measure of your LOs size.  The margin of error is a significant amount when talking about the size of a NB: there is a big difference between 8 & 10 lbs.

    ~  Even small ladies can birth BIG babies.  Our bodies are made to do this.

    ~  Your recovery from a c/s may not be bad, mine wasn't.  I was up & moving within 24 hours & was completely off pain meds w/in 5 days.

    ~  I can only tell you what I experienced, I did have issues with my milk coming in after my c/s.  It was 2 weeks before it fully came in & I had to supplement.  Thankfully, once my milk did come in, DS had no problems breastfeeding.  But was it because of my c/s?  Who knows.

    If delivering vaginally is important to you, I don't see how it would hurt to try.  Yes, an emergency c/s is not an ideal situtalion, but you will be in a hopsital with all the doctors & facilities there & ready.

    T&P Mama, I know it's a tough decision.

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  • sarakiefersarakiefer member
    That's a good list Lexie.  They are all very important things to consider.  The deciding factor will be what's most important to you and DH.  No one knows what the future will hold.  I hate the stupid guessing game, especially when it's something so important! 
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  • Lexie MarieLexie Marie member
    Thank you ladies for all your advice and words! I definitely have some things to think over but for now I am heading out to get this ultrasound done so we can get a idea if this is truly a big issue or not.

    Happy Friday girls!!!
    Liam Tyler & Emma Grace 
    ...baby #3 boy MC at 10 weeks


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  • sarakiefersarakiefer member
    Good luck mama!  Keep us updated :)
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  • Lexie MarieLexie Marie member

    imagesarakiefer:
    Good luck mama!  Keep us updated :)

     

    Will do ;) thanks again!

    Liam Tyler & Emma Grace 
    ...baby #3 boy MC at 10 weeks


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