uh oh.. big baby!

ateach · December 2012

38.5 weeks today and baby is already measuring 8 lbs 11 oz! I know this can be a lb off in either way (hopefully less!!!), but baby has consistently had an abdomen in the 97-99%... so I think baby is pretty chubby. My doctor is a little concerned about shoulder distacia (sp) when I give birth and is considering induction. Since I haven't really started to dilate or efface, he doesn't think it will be successful at this point and I'll probably end up with a csection if we try. I am going to go back on Monday for another measurement scan and hopefully some progress. I'll be induced Tuesday if I have started to dilate and efface. If not, I'll just have to wait until the Thursday after Christmas and hope for the best! He doesn't think baby will fit out vaginally if I get to 41 weeks or later.

Anyone else with big babies or similar stories?

minervacullen · December 2012

I was told my dd was 9lbs two weeks ago. I had her two days ago and she was 8.7. So a not so accurate estimate for us. I was also induced very successfully, but I had been in prodromal for almost two weeks. So I just needed a little push to kick it into active. Good luck.

dee12807 · December 2012

Hmmmm, well, I think you said it right that the ultrasounds can be very off. However, I don't see where your doctor gets off saying that you'll probably end up in a c-section just because you have no natural progression. I delivered DS vaginaly after induction with no previous natural progression. I delivered DD last week after induction also. This time I was 2cm and I think 50% when I went in. She ended up being 9lb 1oz and yes, her shoulders got stuck. But they still got her out without a c-section and she seems to be just fine. If it helps, I'm 5' 3" and was 125lbs per-pregnancy. Good luck with your choice!

ckkgb2001 · December 2012

My babies were 8.5, 8.7 and 9.4 and I was induced with 2 of them and all of them were delivered vaginally and relatively easily.

Size can be way off.

Don't let the dr scare you

sschwege · December 2012

I guess if it were my doctor I would want to know why he is going against the ACOG's recommendations against induction/c-section for suspected macrosomia (big baby).

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

kelkigs · December 2012

I was measuring an estimated 8 lbs 12 oz at my 38 week u/s last week with no dilation or engagement. We were able to get clear face shots, and she's for sure chubby. I went back today and still no progress... She's just hanging out in there.

We discussed induction late next week or c section as early as this Friday or any day next week. I know size estimates can be off and the margin of error is certainly greater with the bigger estimate, but its pretty clear this is going to be a large baby.

I also have diet controlled GD and am GBS positive, so I have some other factors that you don't that are putting me at a higher risk. While I am not worried about pushing out a large baby, I am concerned that labor won't progress if I get induced.

If only she would just come on her own!

Ladylec · December 2012

I have been dealing with the same thing as you. My baby was measuring 9 pounds at 37 weeks and out of the 4 OBs at my practice, 3 have told me baby could be affected by shoulder dystocia (even though there is only a .5% chance of it happening and 50% of the cases of shoulder dystocia are in babies less than 8 pounds) and have all told me to go ahead and schedule a c section and have even said that if I try vaginally I will end up in a c section anyway. Total bull.

I have planned to have a vaginal un-medicated delivery since before I even got pregnant and do not want to just be cut open because they think he will be too big to deliver vaginally. Everything I have researched with the only OB who supports my decision to have a vaginal delivery, states that induction to prevent shoulder dystocia does not work and recommends against doing so.

We are inducing though because I am 41 weeks today and have not dilated or made any progress and he still hasn't dropped. She is hoping that I make progress with the induction and have a successful vaginal delivery. If complications of shoulder dystocia do arise, there are signs during labor to let her know and at that time if there is a true NEED to have a c section then we will discuss it at that point. But she is very confident I have the ability to deliver him vaginally and has been very encouraging in the process.

I would do some more research on the subject before just blindly following what they tell you and as PP said, the information your OB is giving you contradicts with ACOG and that is not good. I would love to update you after my induction/delivery on how it went if you would like a follow up.

Just be sure you make a decision that is actually best for you and not for your OBs schedule. Good luck!

pregokat · December 2012

I have a friend who gave birth naturally- no induction, no meds... to 4 children..

2 of them 8 pounders, one of them 10 lbs...

and get this.. the big boy was 13 lbs!

Our bodies are made to fit the babies out... You should be able to deliver just fine without induction or anything, no matter what size the baby is..

Good luck!

peacelove&mama · December 2012

I see no reason to automatically jump to csection talk. I was 120lbs pre pregnancy, and my son weighed 10lbs 5oz. I delivered him naturally with no issues. The fact that you haven't dilated yet really doesn't mean anything, you're only 38 weeks and it could literally happen overnight.

ateach · December 2012

sschwege:
I guess if it were my doctor I would want to know why he is going against the ACOG's recommendations against induction/c-section for suspected macrosomia (big baby).
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0701/p169.html

He actually mentioned this and says he doesn't usually rec. induction for proportionate big babies. He gets more worried about babys with super big abdomens (like mine) because he often sees their shoulders get stuck on the way out. But, he also said he wouldn't rec. induction until it looks like my cervix would be favorable for induction. He is pretty cautious, so I don't feel like he is pushing induction just because baby is big. I, myself, am more nervous about it- I think!

ateach · December 2012

Ladylec:
I have been dealing with the same thing as you. My baby was measuring 9 pounds at 37 weeks and out of the 4 OBs at my practice, 3 have told me baby could be affected by shoulder dystocia (even though there is only a .5% chance of it happening and 50% of the cases of shoulder dystocia are in babies less than 8 pounds) and have all told me to go ahead and schedule a c section and have even said that if I try vaginally I will end up in a c section anyway. Total bull.
I have planned to have a vaginal un-medicated delivery since before I even got pregnant and do not want to just be cut open because they think he will be too big to deliver vaginally. Everything I have researched with the only OB who supports my decision to have a vaginal delivery, states that induction to prevent shoulder dystocia does not work and recommends against doing so.

We are inducing though because I am 41 weeks today and have not dilated or made any progress and he still hasn't dropped. She is hoping that I make progress with the induction and have a successful vaginal delivery. If complications of shoulder dystocia do arise, there are signs during labor to let her know and at that time if there is a true NEED to have a c section then we will discuss it at that point. But she is very confident I have the ability to deliver him vaginally and has been very encouraging in the process.
I would do some more research on the subject before just blindly following what they tell you and as PP said, the information your OB is giving you contradicts with ACOG and that is not good. I would love to update you after my induction/delivery on how it went if you would like a follow up.
Just be sure you make a decision that is actually best for you and not for your OBs schedule. Good luck!

Good luck! I'd love to hear your update! I want to add that he left it totally up to me and said he did feel fine letting me keep going to 41 weeks. He thought that might be the point the baby might get way too big to come out.. I still don't think he would immediately go for csection. He actually said just scheduling csections goes against his beliefs. I probably didn't explain it correctly. He was just giving me some other options!

ateach · December 2012

Thanks for the advice everyone. I guess I'll just see where I am at on Monday. I spoke to my doula last night, and I will probably just wait on the induction unless things are looking super favorable for me being responsive.

Ladylec · December 2012

Glad it seems he was only suggesting it as an option for you. I have been dealing with 3 OBs who act as if it is the only thing I can do to get this baby out and just wanted to make sure you weren't in the same position.

sschwege · December 2012

ateach:
sschwege:
I guess if it were my doctor I would want to know why he is going against the ACOG's recommendations against induction/c-section for suspected macrosomia (big baby).
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0701/p169.html
He actually mentioned this and says he doesn't usually rec. induction for proportionate big babies. He gets more worried about babys with super big abdomens (like mine) because he often sees their shoulders get stuck on the way out. But, he also said he wouldn't rec. induction until it looks like my cervix would be favorable for induction. He is pretty cautious, so I don't feel like he is pushing induction just because baby is big. I, myself, am more nervous about it- I think!

I'm glad to hear he is giving you both sides!

MrsMeg · December 2012

They said my first was measuring big (8+ lbs at 38 wks) and of course I was stressed but I was lucky that I had a very laid-back, non-invasive doctor who didn't worry about it. I gave birth 2 days before edd and she was only 7 lb 14 oz so all the u/s were just off. Also, if one part of them is big (like their belly or their head) it will skew the measurement and make it look like they weigh more than they do. My water broke but when it did I had 0 dilation and she was way up high- everything happened like it was supposed to in the delivery room (dilation, baby moving down, etc)

For my 2nd my water also broke before any other preps by my body---no dilation etc. Those contractions once again did their job and dilated, moved baby down, etc. Try not to put too much faith in the u/s measurements, and go with the flow. (Way easier said than done!)

Good luck!

ateach · December 2012

MrsMeg:
They said my first was measuring big (8+ lbs at 38 wks) and of course I was stressed but I was lucky that I had a very laid-back, non-invasive doctor who didn't worry about it. I gave birth 2 days before edd and she was only 7 lb 14 oz so all the u/s were just off. Also, if one part of them is big (like their belly or their head) it will skew the measurement and make it look like they weigh more than they do. My water broke but when it did I had 0 dilation and she was way up high- everything happened like it was supposed to in the delivery room (dilation, baby moving down, etc)
For my 2nd my water also broke before any other preps by my body---no dilation etc. Those contractions once again did their job and dilated, moved baby down, etc. Try not to put too much faith in the u/s measurements, and go with the flow. (Way easier said than done!)

Good luck!

That is encouraging. It is the abdomen that is measuring particularly large. I had thought maybe this is off because it is what is closest out on my belly. Not sure if that really has to do with anything! Just my own reasoning.

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