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C-sections
Doc says baby is too big for vaginal delivery and is opting of C section
So at 34 weeks my baby boy was weighing in at an estimated 5lbs via the ultrasound..My doctor scheduled another ultra sound at 36 weeks and his estimated weight is 8.5lbs right now, soooo my docotor gave me this huge talk about shoulder dystocia and all the complications that could arise if i decided to have him vaginally. I feel like Im stuck between a rock and a hard place with this decision. My family has had large babys and Im not a small lady 5'7 healthy and i definatly by no means have tiny hips. I really want a natural birth, this is my first baby, and I just want to do whats right. I don't want to put my child at risk buttttt theres risks with a c section....should i get a second opinion? should i just go with the flow doctor knows best? Help Plzzzz!!!
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Re: Doc says baby is too big for vaginal delivery and is opting of C section
just so you know, those ultrasounds aren't always correct. They told me KB was 8.5lbs at 37weeks. had her at 39weeks2days and she was 7lbs8oz.
it's been that way for a few people I know.
If you want a natural birth, go for it.
I agree with pp. The ultrasounds are not 100%, all along they told me my dd was large and would be around 9lbs, because i have T1 diabetes. At 38 weeks I had my last ultrasound and the tech went really fast and estimated that she weighed 7 lbs. I told the dr, um no shes much larger, shes measured large all along how can she be 7lbs and the tech went way to fast. So they wanted to wait another week to induce since she wasnt huge. I ended up having a cs at 39 week bc she got to large and never dropped down. She was 8lbs 15oz. The tech was 2 lbs off!! My opinion is that dr are way to excited to schedule indictions and cs.
I have no experience with shoulder dystocia so I cant really say what I would do since I lacking on the knowledge. When would the schedule the cs? can you get more ultrasounds between now and then? Maybe that would help you make a decision.
If you want a vaginal birth, don't be bullied into a c/s. The women I know who are unhappiest with their c/s experiences are those who had their hearts set on delivering naturally. I never really cared either way, I was very happy with my c/s experiences, enough so to willingly have 2 more!
If you end up with a c/s, don't believe all the negativity - many of us are very happy with our c/s births.
We can debate the accuracy of u/s all day long (mine were right on for my first two babies, others' are way off) but the fact of the matter is that without a real medical concern, you shouldn't be pushed into a c/s for what is really a pretty normal sized baby if the u/s IS right on. I'd get a second opinion and see if there's a legit reason you should actually consider the c/s.
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
I agree. I had great c/s experiences (I'll be having my 4th). I had no choice though, so I am a bit disappointed that I had to deliver via c/s. But, such is life.
As for the u/s, all 3 of mine at the weight check (approx. 38 weeks) have been SPOT ON - within a few oz. My OB is actually pretty accurate. That being said, do what you feel is best in terms of delivery.
GL!
I would definitely not go for a c-section with all the information you've given.
What I would do is see if you go into labor naturally over the next few weeks. If you hit 39+ weeks, I'd ask for another ultrasound to check on growth. So much can change in a few weeks-LO could have hit a growth spurt early but will slow down in growth near the end, LO could change positions and measure in a more "normal" range, etc. If at 39+ weeks LO was still measuring very large (IE over 10.5lbs) then MAYBE I would consider a c-section. A suspected large baby at 36 weeks is nothing I would be planning a c-section over.
Also, your size has nothing to do with your own personal ability to deliver a baby. Some tiny women deliver 12lb babies with no tears, and some women who are bigger cannot deliver a 6lb baby. Unfortunately, whether your pelvis would accomodate a baby that large will be something you'd find out in active labor, and if you have a scheduled c-section that's not an option.
U/S are typically off by a pound or more.
On the day I went in to the hospital my u/s said my baby was AT LEAST 8.4 lbs. Two days later my son was born and he weighed 7.2 lbs.
I am in the same position. At my 37 week appt the dr said the baby was too big. At my 38 week appt (this past Thursday) we did an ultrasound. The baby is measuring almost 9lbs. Even though I know the ultrasound can be off, the real problem I have is low amniotic fluid. My dr had to call the high risk doctor for his opinion, they were going to deliver me on Thursday if need be. The high risk dr said I need to get my amniotic fluid checked this Monday but due to his size and low amniotic fluid a C-section seems to be the best option. I am showing absolutely no signs of labor and dr thinks I will go past my due date, causing the baby to gain more weight and fluid to get lower. So my C-section is scheduled for this Wed if Monday goes well. Not the best situation but seems to be the safest.
My cousin was born at 10lbs vaginally and they had to break his collarbone.
If I was you, I would see how your next few weeks go. My dr said I could of tried waiting it out another week to see if I dilate at all to be induced but now I have the amniotic fluid problem
Good luck!
My lo was measuring big the whole pregnancy. OB would not schedule a c-section until he was measuring 11+ lbs. She said many women deliver 10 lbs babies all the time. They were going to monitor my delivery closely and if baby wasn't moving down then we'd discuss c-section.
At my 37 week appt, I had a growth u/s and they thought baby was 9 lbs then. 10 hours later my water broke and baby was born the next day and was 7 lbs 14 oz so the u/s can definitatly be off.
DS1 Jan 2012
DS2 July 2013
DS3 February 2016
There are women in my family who have all given birth to large babies vaginally. (babies over 10, 11 and 12lbs) WE are not large women. (average height is 5'2 - 5'4,,the aunt who had the baby just over 12lbs is 5'2 and was a tiny woman) You can't tell from a woman's height and build how much she can accomodate during labour.
Also, my sister was being pressured by her doctor about her large baby. She had several ultrasounds all suggesting this baby was going to be bigger than her last one. (which was just over 10 lbs) The baby was long and large is what she was told. She refused induction and refused c-section and after giving birth to a 8lbs10oz baby she realized how baby measurements late term are certainly not always accurate.
Bottom line, if the baby is large you can still have it naturally, and there's a good chance the baby isn't large.
And of course there is no risk to mom or baby with a c/s. ::eye roll::
Decisions like this should be made with facts and an u/s at this stage in pregnancy is not fact. And your experience also just goes to show how inaccurate those u/s are. Your son did not gain two pounds in two days.
I have had several friends deliver 10-11 lbs babies vaginally without issue. I have had several friends pressured into c/s's for large babies only to have a baby between 6-8 lbs. This is a decision you need to make for yourself. If it were me, I'd still plan on a vaginal birth. If it seems there are issues getting the baby out, you can always opt for a c/s. But having a c/s now affects all future births. And c/s's have many risks that most doctors seems to glaze over or not mention at all (for me, they gave me NO risks to a c/s. I regret not asking).
But this is up to you and your DH. If it is only based on a late term scan, I'd decline the c/s. And I'd also decline any future scans that are not medically necessary.
I think it's super important to try a vaginal even if the u/s is working against you.
DS was projected to be close to 10 lbs. He was 8 lbs. 9.4 oz (and that was after being induced, 18 hours of labor, and TONS of fluid pumped in me). When we left the hospital (36 hours later) he had already lost almost a pound.
Our bodies do amazing things. Small women have giant babies all the time. Larger framed women end up with c/s all the time. I don't think it's all about how you're built...just how things land, etc.
I guess what I'm trying to say is... personally, I wouldn't base my birth plan on what and u/s reads. I can't see my doctor doing that either. She let me try for a vaginal....when it didn't work it was time for a c/s. At least I can say I tried---don't let your doctor take out your chance to try if not medically necessary. If you're healthy, your LO is healthy....I think you deserve a shot. If it doesn't work it doesn't work. C/S aren't so bad at all. And you shouldn't hear an "I told you so" from your doctor either. I'd look for a 2nd opinion... That's me though.
I am another person where they u/s estimates were almost spot on but there are sooo many that are off. That being said, if you are comfortable with it, let your doctor know you want to try vaginal first - c-section can come if needed. Anything can happen!! GL
I think this is a really smart plan.
Good luck!
I agree with everyone else that you are not nearly far along enough for the Dr. to be saying the baby is too big. I kept telling my Dr. in the last month that I felt like DS was huge and he would just brush me off by saying there is really no way to tell exactly how big the baby is. They didn't really look too much into his weight until I went into labor and then everyone started agreeing it was going to be a big baby. DS was 10lbs 1oz. They knew he was going to be big but still let me labor and try for vaginal. I never progressed past 7cm and was told that it was most likely because of his size.
I guess my point is that, while I felt he was big I think my Dr. was right in not looking into it because there really was no way of knowing what was going to actually happen or how big he really would be when he was ready to come out. And I'm glad that they waited until we were actually presented with a problem to mention a c-section. Then there was no what if in my mind and I knew it was the right choice. I think a lot of these discussions that happen too early are red flags that things are being rushed inappropriately.
As you see, there are a lot of varying opinions on this topic. Before E, I was very much in the 'a big baby is not a reason to have a c-section' boat. I was planning on having a 10lb baby, because that is the size H and I both were, and my nephews were both almost 10lbs at birth. I saw the midwives at the practice and they knew I was comfortable with a large baby. At 36w, I measured 41w by the tape measure. They sent me for an ultrasound, just to get an idea of size. At 36w, E measured 9lbs 3oz. My next appointment, they offered me a c-section. I declined. They repeated the ultrasound at 38w5d, and E measured 12lb 13oz. The midwives had us meet with an OB to discuss risks, etc and they didn't exactly force the c-section on us, but made it clear they were more comfortable with a c-section. I knew there was no way I could live with myself if I tried vaginal delivery and something happened to E. We elected to have a c-section, and he was born via scheduled c-section 3 days later.
It is a personal decision, one that you have to make after doing your own research and talking to your care providers. You will probably judge your decision the most, others won't care or even know, unless you tell them. I still sometimes think 'what if', and maybe I could have been successful with a vaginal delivery, but maybe not. Everyone who saw E (who was 11lb 4oz at birth) commented that there was no way he was coming out vaginally because his chest was bigger than his head.
I had a very easy c-section recovery and E is safe, to me that is the perfect outcome. I can't say that I pushed an 11lb baby out, but who cares. I have a scar to prove to me that I will do everything in my power to protect E. We also had no problems with breastfeeding and I was able to see E in recovery less than 30 min after he was born.
I usually lurk, but I so often hear about baby's measuring big and rarely is it actually the case. I had an ultrasound at 32 weeks and they said baby was at least 5 lbs...33 weeks - 6.5lbs...36 weeks - 8lbs and 38 weeks they said he was 9.5lbs. That ultrasound also discovered very little amniotic fluid so I was enduced that night, he was born via e c/s 24 hours later and weighed 7lbs 2 oz. Not once did my dr mention a c/s because of his size.
I agree with this. I had a great experience with my c/s and will be having another one early December.
^This!^ I hate to be the conspiracy person, but many docs dont like to do vaginal births. If you had a job where you had to be hunched over for long periods of time but you had the option to get it over with in 20 minutes, what would you choose? My cousin was born at 12 lbs, and my Aunt did it all natural. And that was in the 80's.
My Dr. (following my 37week growth scan) didnt believe the estimations were accurate. Wanted to induce me at 38 weeks, and try for vaginal delivery.
I opted for the C at 39. DS was 9.14. Dr. said its a good thing we did the C I could have never delivered him vaginally. I was HUGE.