- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
3rd Trimester
What to do About Big, Big Baby
I'm almost 39 weeks. At 37.5 weeks Baby was estimated to be 8 pounds. I'm getting concerned and confused. Next Thursday I'm scheduled for yet another ultrasound. If the baby is over 10 pounds by then (and I trust these measurements because babies in my husband's family run very, very big), my doctor is going to discuss the costs and benefits of having a c-section with me. They are not planning on inducing me because of the stats that say induction often results in a c-section anyway--in other words, they say that it will not increase my chances of having a vaginal birth since I would be on pitocin, confined to being on my back, etc.
Now I have friends telling me they think it's strange that I'm not being induced and that they were induced and they were glad they went this route, other friends telling me they were induced and it was a terrible decision, Lamaze instructors telling me to insist on having a vaginal birth, other friends telling me I definitely want to listen to the doctors if they push for a c-section...I'm just terribly confused and don't know who to trust. I would love to just trust my own instincts, but I'm a first timer and I can't pretend I know what's best. Because I don't.
I also have a lot of people telling me one thing or another about epidurals. After Lamaze, I decided that since chances were that I was having a big baby I would prefer not to have an epidural if possible because I wanted to be able to be out of bed and use gravity to my advantage since it may be more difficult for me to push her out on my back. But it seems like everyone, even my doctor is telling me epidural, epidural, epidural. Why the push? Am I missing something here?
Should I just move forward with my vaginal, trying to go without an epidural plan or should I really consider changing it?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: What to do About Big, Big Baby
I don't understand why people automatically jump to a c-section or early induction with big babies. Women having been birthing 10lb babies for long time.
I was estimated to have a 7lb 10oz at 36 weeks so my OB thinks baby will be well over 9lbs by my due date and he hasn't mentioned anything about early induction or c-section.
No one can tell you what to do, just try to trust what you think is right.
Good Luck
You could just let nature take its course and avoid making aby of these decisions. My first baby was over 9 lbs and I was induced on my due date. I had no epidural - I was scared of getting a needle in my back. I did get a dose of Demerol when the contractions got bad and took a nap. I woke up an hour or so later and pushed the baby out. The whole process took about 12-13 hours. Easy peasy. I think you are at a much higher risk for a c-section if they induce you early. My dd was induced at 34 weeks and it took 36 hours. I actually pushed her out as they were about to wheel me down the hall for a c-section.
I've been induced 4 times and 3 times I got the epidural. Every single time I've gotten the epidural, I've delivered within 2 hours and the babies' heartbeats stabilized. They had been dipping during the pitocin contractions.
I want to go totally natural this time, but if I end up getting pitocin, I'll probably opt for the epi based on my past experience.
You can always try labor and then get the c-section if it's not working. If you opt for the c-section ahead of time, you could be making the decision for every future pregnancy.
My MW said they only talk C-section if the baby is estimated to be 11+ pounds, because they are usually +/- 1lb...
I don't have any experience (FTM), but I would say try not to worry. ESTD
I can absolutely relate to you! At 36 weeks, my ultrasound put my little girl at 9 lbs already. That would put her around 11 pounds at my due date. Scary stuff!! So there was a lot of talk about c-section vs. induction vs. waiting it out and seeing if the ultrasound was wrong. I have gone back and forth so many times. We ended up deciding to take each week separately and see how I was progressing (dilation & effacement), how LO is positioned, etc. and make a decision as we get closer. Well, I'm 39 weeks tomorrow and we have decided that because I am starting to dilate and efface, we will do an induction at 39 1/2 weeks if she isn't here by then. A c-section is a big surgery to do, especially when you're going off of an ultrasound to guess the baby's weight. More often than not, the u/s is off. The doctor ended up feeling confident that I can get her out (and that the u/s is off) without jumping the gun and going straight to a c-section. I'm happy with the decision after I've been going back and forth for weeks!!
Good luck! Chat with your doctor about your concerns with each option and go from there. Only you can make the decision!
I don't get why people automatically think big baby=csection. If big babies run in your family, then your body will be able to handle it. Big babies run in my family too, and I am fully expecting to have a 9 or 10 pounder vaginally (unless there is an emergency that is life threatening of course). I would throw a fit if the doctor suggested a csection because he was too big and my body might not be capable. Millions of women have delivered large babies in the past without csections, and so can I.
I am also going the unmedicated route so that I can use gravity to the best of my advantage and use multiple upright positions for pushing. My MIL was induced with my husband 2 weeks early because the doctor thought he was too big, and still had a successful unmedicated vaginal labor--even with Pitocin. He weighed little over 9 pounds at birth. You can do it! Stand your ground for what you want and what is safe for your child.
Son 4/27/12, Son 10/15/14, Daughter 9/29/16....Baby #4 due 10/09/19! Apparently we get really bored in January
Tell your doctor your feelings. If you really want to deliver vaginally, then wait it out. There's nothing that says you can't attempt a vaginal delivery first. If the situation changes during labor, a c-section can be performed at that time (make sure you discuss this ahead, so you know what to expect in this event). Same goes for the epidural. If you want to try labor without it, that is your option. The likelihood of your labor progressing SO rapidly that you can't get one is pretty low, in the event you decide you want some pain relief. And, even in that scenario, you can be given IV pain meds.
Everyone on this board probably knows one woman who's delivered a 9-lb+ infant vaginally. It can be done.
I have not had a growth u/s yet...i'm only 33 weeks and my dr won't even talk about how big baby is until I hit 36 weeks but we still went over options if baby is big. She said she would induce at 39 weeks or do a c-section on the basis of what I was wanting! I really liked that. My cervix was already starting to shorten and soften at 31 weeks so I think my dr as well as me are confident that my body will just continue to progress so if I want to be induced around 39 or 40 weeks it'll be successful. I obviously do not want a c-section if I can help it but I will be getting an epidural and doing what I can to get this baby out. We all think he will be on the big side (my husband was 10 pounds) and everyone I know who had an induction had a positive experience. My goal right now is to keep baby in past 36 weeks (i'm on modified bed rest due to my cervix). But just keep in mind that the overall goal is to have a healthy baby. I'm finding that i'm different than most women because i'm not dead set on a certain way to give birth. I'm staying open minded because you just never know what will happen!
I say you let the dr know your concerns about a c-section and that you'd like to try vaginally...if it doesn't work then the outcome is a c-section which the dr was already prepared for and you can be somewhat prepared for that route as well. But you never know...your body may do well with giving birth to a 10 pound baby! I know with my dr she's great at listening to what I want and giving me information for a back up plan.
First, your baby is clearly healthy and doing well. So that's awesome.
Second, it doesn't matter how anyone thinks you should give birth unless there is some kind of medical risk to your child that your caregiver is concerned about.
Third, a "big" baby =/= c-section. You'll never know how your pelvis will shift and if baby will fit until you're in labour and pushing. Your body was made to do this, don't stress yourself out unnecessarily. A c-section is major surgery (I should know, I had one with DS and have to have one in May for DD's delivery).
Fourth, drugs/pain relief during labour is totally your call. Every labour is different and pain levels/tolerance vary greatly. Do what works for you!
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living my baby you'll be.
- Robert Munsch
Honestly, I'm a bit concerned about what your OB is telling you. 8 lbs at 37.5 is not extremely large, and growth u/s have at least a +/- 1lb. Also, while yes inductions has a higher c-section rate, it is not like every induction results in a c-section, not even close.
I will say that you hear so many horror stories about vaginal deliveries that before I had one, I was almost thinking I would rather have a c-section. I am so glad that I did not. I did have an episiotomy because of the cord being wrapped around DD's neck and decels, but even still my recovery was very easy. No complications and much easier than undergoing major abdominal surgery.
As far as an epidural, it is your call. I had one and loved it, but I was never intending to go natural. And yes, epidurals might increase your c-section risk a bit, but they often allow a lot of women the ability to relax and descend naturally where otherwise there could have been issues. Basically go with your gut, unless your OB has some more specific/legitimate concerns.
I am also so shocked that everyone assumes a big baby means an c/s especially based on a guess!! The hospital that I deliver at does not do a growth ultrasound, maybe because they just end up scaring the moms to be. I am being induced a week early with this baby(my second) because of how big my daughter was and I was induced with her a week early as well. My induction went perfectly, I was not confined to my bed, was able to walk to halls and even sit it the hot tub that was in my room. No epi or anything. The reason we are inducing me early this time is because my daughter got stuck at her shoulders and my dr fears this could happen again if baby gets to big and she doesn't want to do a c/s.
I think that you need to talk to your OB and tell them how you feel. A lot of drs push for c/s and an epi because honestly it is easier for them, plain and simple! If you have a good support team behind you and you feel comfortable having your baby the way you have planned then do it!!! Have faith in yourself and in your body
good luck and I hope everything works out best for you and baby!
It sounds like you already know what you want to do. Listen to your gut!
My mom gave birth to my 12lb 8 oz brother without any pain meds. I understand this is not common, but it is very possible. You can do this!
Georgia 3/15/2012 Matilda 6/12/2014 TWINS!! Babies 3&4 EDD 11/22/2016
I had an induction with DS (he was a stubborn, late baby that NEVER dropped). I had him vaginally, no mention of c-section. Ok, I lie, *I* mentioned a c/s during the pushing because I was sooooo tired I didn't feel like I had it in me to keep pushing, lol! But, his head was already there & I only needed a few more pushes.
Anyway, the changes of having a c/s after being induced is usually higher if it's before your due date. You need to choose the option that is most comfortable for you. Just be aware things can/might change (you may not plan for an epi but decide to get one while in the hospital laboring, it happens, nothing to be ashamed of, just be prepared that there's always a chance things can change).
If you think you can push out a 10lb baby vaginally, go for it. If you feel better going for a c/s for a 10lb baby, go for it. Do what's right for YOU, don't listen to what other people tell you. You'll, obvisously, get conflicting info & there will always be people that try to make you feel bad or guilty for your choice (natural, epi, c/s, etc. each option has supporters & nay-sayers).
Yeah, this is totally up to you. You seem to be doing your research and just need to trust your instincts. No, a large baby doesn't mean you have to have a c-section but if you are asking for our opinions, the only two cents I have to offer is I know 2 people who had very large 8/9 lb babies, tried vaginally and baby wouldn't fit. After hours of labour they ended up w c-sec anyway..., both of them just wished it was a c-sec to begin with. Neither way (vaginally or c-sec) is the better way. It all depends on the situation but if you are a very small framed person or have some other physical factors that will probably weigh in towards this baby not coming out the way you want it.... I PERSONALLY (and to each their own) but personally wouldnt want to labor for hours and hours only to just have to have major surgery.
IF you have to have a c-sec, IMO, I think it's easier to go in to surgery fresh and rested
The choice is totally yours to make, God willing.
I want to add to that at my 41 week u/s with DS#1, my OB said that I had a large, possibly 9lb baby with a big ole head and may need a c-section. I was induced immediately after that appointment and 8 hrs later had an adorable 7 lb 2.5 oz baby boy with a little peanut of a head--those measurements can be way off!
GL!
I totally agree with this as well!
I wouldn't get too excited. I birthed a 9 pounder with no meds last time and honestly, it wasn't as bad as my first who was 7 pounds. This may be TMI but if you can push the head and shoulders out, the rest is easy. So what I am saying is if it isn't an exceptionally large headed child you should be ok. I think something you should be mindful of is what is the baby's current position? If it is not in optimal positioning, it is harder when they are sunny side up, you need to do the babyspinning thing. I did that and it worked. Keep an open mind.
I wanted to add that I am a pretty small person. I have slender hips and I am 5'3". I guess my pelvis can stretch! Don't give up hope that you can do this!