question about induction due to baby's weight

dpraseutsinh · July 2012

when exactly does the doctor decide it's best to induce you because the baby is too big? does the baby have to be a certain weight or height or something? or is the doctor thinking you're just not gonna be able to push such a big baby out? just asking because i have a feeling my baby is going to be around 8 or more pounds just because most asian babies seem to be so big! (including myself, my brother, my husband, my friend's kids, my family members, etc.) i could be wrong, but i'm just curious.

Tigerlilym15 · July 2012

It really should be a case by case basis. Having a large baby does NOT automatically mean that you will need to be induced. In normal cases your body will not make a baby that is too large for you to deliver.

To answer your question, my midwife told me that if the baby measured 10 pounds or above we would discuss a c-section. I delivered my 9 pound 5 ounce baby completely med-free without any induction methods.

wannabigfam · July 2012

I'd be cautious even listening to a doctor's estimate of baby's birth weight. Their estimates are +/- 2 pounds, which is a HUGE difference! I know at 35 weeks-some-days my midwife estimated my baby to be barely 5 lbs. A few days later at 36 weeks I gave birth to a healthy 7 lb 1 oz baby.

judahsmommy1 · July 2012

Unless you have an underlying medical condition (like GD) that could cause a baby to be born too large, weight should not be a consideration in induction. The other exception is if intrauterine growth restriction becomes an issue. (Baby isn't growing correctly.) The methods used to calculate the weight of the baby are extremely inaccurate and can be off by as much as 2 pounds toward the end of pregnancy. Also, if you can grow it, you can birth it. Most of the time if a baby gets "stuck" it's not because the baby was too big, it's because baby was in a position that didn't allow them to move correctly through the birth canal. My son was 8lbs 12 oz and I gave birth to him with one very small internal tear that my doctor almost didn't put a stitch in.

nosoup4u · July 2012

Macrosomia is defined as babies over 8lb 13 oz or 9 lb 15 oz - so it can really vary. But in general, an 8 lb baby isn't considered macrosomic.

Induction isn't recommended for suspected macrosomia, either. Basically, the best plan of action is to stay upright during labor, and let it happen on its own. Unless the baby is estimated at over 11 pounds, a provider should sit on their hands.

This is a good overview about it: https://birthsen.tmdhosting930.com/?p=1531

dmhrn13 · July 2012

they pull this crap all the time! they can start scaring you with "oh, this is a big baby" at any time but they usally start it around 36 weeks. i am a CNM that works with docs & baby's size is NEVER a reason to induce. ACOG has a statement against it. if they are really concerned they can order a sono at the very end & if it looks like its over 9 1/2 pounds offer you a c-section which you can decline. thats the only recommendation ACOG has regarding size. because really if they think its too big to fit, why in the world would they force it with an induction & if its not too big to fit, then the baby should come on its own. also remember sonograms can be off a pound in either direction so i don't even pay attention to them regarding size.

laurack · July 2012

8lbs is hardly big anyway, my lo was 8 even and I didn't even have a tear. AND I'm small, only 5'2 and about 110

my midwives didn't even bother with growth ultrasounds.

tokenhoser · July 2012

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0701/p169.html

Summary of Recommendations

The ACOG committee provides the following recommendations for the management of fetal macrosomia:

Recommendations based on good and consistent scientific evidence (Level A):

The diagnosis of fetal macrosomia is imprecise. For suspected fetal macrosomia, the accuracy of estimated fetal weight using ultrasound biometry is no better than that obtained with clinical palpation (Leopold's maneuvers).

Recommendations based on limited or inconsistent scientific evidence (Level :

Suspected fetal macrosomia is not an indication for induction of labor, because induction does not improve maternal or fetal outcomes.
Labor and vaginal delivery are not contraindicated for women with estimated fetal weights up to 5,000 g in the absence of maternal diabetes.
With an estimated fetal weight more than 4,500 g, a prolonged second stage of labor or arrest of descent in the second stage is an indication for cesarean delivery.

Recommendations based primarily on consensus and expert opinion (Level C):

Although the diagnosis of fetal macrosomia is imprecise, prophylactic cesarean delivery may be considered for suspected fetal macrosomia with estimated fetal weights of more than 5,000 g in pregnant women without diabetes and more than 4,500 g in pregnant women with diabetes.
Suspected fetal macrosomia is not a contraindication to attempted vaginal birth after a previous cesarean delivery.

wifeofadam · July 2012

DS2 was 8lb 11 oz and I didn't tear. He was my easiest birth and pushing took less than ten minutes. My seven pound babies were much more difficult.

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