Big Baby + Small Pelvis means C-Section!

laoch101 · June 2012

That's all I feel like my ob is telling me. Your pelvis bones are small and your baby is big. I know he so wants me to say yes I'll go right to c-section.

All the research I've done says that ultrasounds are not an accurate tool for measuring baby weight. And that until I actually go into labor, no one knows how well my pelvis will spread.

Im so annoyed that after talking to my ob about a natural birth, that I feel pressure from him.

My question is has anyone had a doctor tell em this and they went on to have a successful birth? I know many ladies lurk back after already having their babies and I'm interested if you've been told this and your baby hasn't come yet.

Plus he also brought shoulders he shoulder issues of the baby getting stuck. It's a serious thing but you can't predict it.

By the way I'm 37wks 5days and not dilated or thinned yet. And baby hasn't engaged.

judahsmommy1 · June 2012

I have a good friend who was told her pelvis was too small for her baby after she pushed for 4 hours and he did not descend in station. Her next baby was born in an unintentional VBAC. I'd decline the C-section.

laoch101 · June 2012

judahsmommy1:
I have a good friend who was told her pelvis was too small for her baby after she pushed for 4 hours and he did not descend in station. Her next baby was born in an unintentional VBAC. I'd decline the C-section.

See that's a good reason to have a c-section. Not even before I've started laboring! Thank you. It's nice to know she had a vbac afterwards too. And I'm planning on declining it.

ncbouchard · June 2012

I was told by my OB that I would probably end up with a C-section...

I'm 4'11 and only weighed 117 lbs the day I gave birth..so VERY petite..and I gave birth vaginally to an 8lb 1oz, 21 inch baby boy. I just ignored the doctors.

There ARE some people who don't end up being able to deliver naturally because of the size of their pelvis, but I find it hard to believe doctors can just "eyeball" it and know.

reederah · June 2012

My son's head was measuring in the >95th percentile and one of the midwives in my practice said I may need a c-section because of his head size and the fact that I am small. However I spoke to another midwife at a different appointment and she said it all depends on the position of the baby and several other factors, and that she would not assume I'd need a c-section because of his size. And I ended up delivering him completely naturally! (I did have to push a long time and reposition a couple times, but I barely tore). So I'd insist on trying for a vaginal delivery if I were you. Good luck!

laoch101 · June 2012

Thank you ladies. I wish I could have gone with a midwife but I doubt they would have took me. Ive had 3 miscarriages before and had to be on progesterone the whole time. My ob has a midwife too and she commented about unnecessary ultrasounds.

I agree and feel it has tons to do with positioning and have educated myself on what I should be doing to help the baby move out. I am fully committed.

WearingRed · June 2012

laoch101:
Thank you ladies. I wish I could have gone with a midwife but I doubt they would have took me. Ive had 3 miscarriages before and had to be on progesterone the whole time. My ob has a midwife too and she commented about unnecessary ultrasounds.
I agree and feel it has tons to do with positioning and have educated myself on what I should be doing to help the baby move out. I am fully committed.

While I can't speak to the c-section issues. THIS is something you should know. YOU COULD STILL HAVE GONE TO A MIDWIFE! I have had a miscarriage and had to be on progesterone for the first trimester (I used natural progesterone cream this time). Midwives are actually better for those of us with losses because they have the time to talk to us about what could be wrong and are willing to help do things naturally rather than just push drugs that they don't really believe in. Next time you should talk to a midwife before assuming they wouldn't have taken you. Most midwives have a free met me appointment before you have to pay anything to see if you are a candidate.

pixieprincss · June 2012

When I was in labor with DS we cycled through 3 on-call OBs (it was a multi-day labor), the first two were OBs I knew and were respectful of my NB plans. The third OB met me, did a pelvic exam and told me there was no way I could deliver DS vaginally because of my pelvis size, shape, and DS's position. I ignored her then and I ignored her during 3.5 hours of pushing when she was telling me I couldn't do it. She so very strongly believed that he wouldn't come vaginally that when he started crowning she was genuinely shocked and had to rush to prepare a crash team (DS was had some signs of possible distress).

stahlop · June 2012

Babies are generally made to fit through your pelvic opening. It is very rare that they won't. If your OB is concerned about shoulder issues, make sure you're allowed to labor in different positions. I've heard hand and knees is the best position to be in for shoulder dystocia.

laoch101 · June 2012

WearingRed:
laoch101:
Thank you ladies. I wish I could have gone with a midwife but I doubt they would have took me. Ive had 3 miscarriages before and had to be on progesterone the whole time. My ob has a midwife too and she commented about unnecessary ultrasounds.
I agree and feel it has tons to do with positioning and have educated myself on what I should be doing to help the baby move out. I am fully committed.
While I can't speak to the c-section issues. THIS is something you should know. YOU COULD STILL HAVE GONE TO A MIDWIFE! I have had a miscarriage and had to be on progesterone for the first trimester (I used natural progesterone cream this time). Midwives are actually better for those of us with losses because they have the time to talk to us about what could be wrong and are willing to help do things naturally rather than just push drugs that they don't really believe in. Next time you should talk to a midwife before assuming they wouldn't have taken you. Most midwives have a free met me appointment before you have to pay anything to see if you are a candidate.

I will remember this for my next pregnancy. At the time, I was just ecstatic to have someone who was going to help me try and prevent a loss. It was so hard even finding him. It was only through a lot of grace and people suggesting other people. My previous ob was going to do nothing to help me. My last loss was at 20wks, so my current ob was literally a life saver for our baby.

Thank you ladies. I'm so glad to see a lot of what I had already planned on doing reaffirmed in your posts. I've taken Bradley classes and have also read spinning babies over and over so that I'll remember those positions to help the baby progress. From the beginning I've tried to prevent all those things that would have me locked to a bed. So far, it's working. There's no medical reason they could justify it.

Heres to us all having happy heathly natural deliveries!

ABeautifulMind · June 2012

stahlop:
Babies are generally made to fit through your pelvic opening. It is very rare that they won't. If your OB is concerned about shoulder issues, make sure you're allowed to labor in different positions. I've heard hand and knees is the best position to be in for shoulder dystocia.

THIS!

FWIW, my mum is a small framed woman. She was around 115 lbs. when she gave birth to me unmedicated, vaginally and I was 10 lbs. 1/2 oz. I know everyone's body is different but women are generally built to birth babies.

As far as the shoulder dystocia, my DD was born with her hands on her face and her elbow got stuck on my pelvis. My MW immediately told me to move to my hands and knees. Within 1 minute my DD was out. I know the elbow and shoulder are a little bit different, but if your OB is concerned with that happening talk to him/her about birthing in varied positions. GL standing your ground!

JJ_13 · June 2012

Have you considered getting an experienced doula? Might be helpful in enabling you to make the best decisions for you and the baby during the labor, especially if the doctors are (unnecessarily) pushing c-sections.

allardr · June 2012

We just talked about this in my Baby Class last week. She said some people do have problems with small pelvis, big baby. However, note it has NOTHING to do with outside appearance like small people don't necessarily have a small pelvis or vice versa. Our hospital WON'T go straight to c-section without trying labor even if they suspect your pelvis won't be big enough.

I'd decline it right away but do keep in mind that it may come to that. But really they should give you a chance and just monitor to make sure you're making progress with dilating etc.

laoch101 · June 2012

JJ_13:
Have you considered getting an experienced doula? Might be helpful in enabling you to make the best decisions for you and the baby during the labor, especially if the doctors are (unnecessarily) pushing c-sections.

I just had my friends mom offer to doula for me. She is trained doula and at first didn't want to travel so far to our hospital. I think my friend telling her what I've been going through helped her agree. I was actually hoping to have her then since I'm seriously considering become a Bradley instructor/doula.

I'm going to wait until Monday and talk with the doctor and see what compromise/plan we can come up with. But it is a nice relief to know that my bf and I will have extra support to help birth this baby.

Harper'smom · June 2012

I was sent straight to the o.r. with my first. I didn't know better...I then went on to have a successful med free VBAC at a free standing birth center a few months ago. My ultrasounds with my first were wrong and my VBAC baby was 8oz bigger than her sister.

Birth story is here. Stay strong. It is scary when they play the "dead baby" card.

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/65456674.aspx

iris427 · June 2012

I had a c/s with my first after two hours of pushing and my OB told me my pelvis was too small and I would never be able to give birth vaginally unless I had a preemie. I am 4'10" and 90 lbs soaking wet (when not pregnant) so I probably do have a smaller than average pelvis. I still had a VBAC with a baby that was a little bit bigger than my first baby. So yeah, they can't accurately diagnose whether your pelvis is too small before you have your baby. They can't even accurately diagnose it after you have your baby a lot of the time.

lauriedupuis · June 2012

If you don't have a copy of Ina May's Guide to Chidbirth get your hands on one now. There are a lot of birth stories and part of a chapter by Ina May dedicated to exactly this. Unless you have had rickets or some pelvic injury, you most likely can get a baby out. It's what our bodies are meant to do!

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