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3rd Trimester
Really need advice...
Okay, so I have never been this pregnant before (38 weeks today). Both of my lovely children were not small by their 37 week gestation- DS- 7lb 7oz, DD- 7lb 11oz.
This time at 36 weeks 2 days I had an ultrasound where they were measuring this baby at 8lb 6oz (for comparison... same time period measurement of my DD said she was 8lb 8 oz... born two days later at 7lb 11oz). They said they were concerned about size and wanted a repeat ultrasound at 38 weeks if I made it there. So, yesterday at 37 weeks 6 days, I had one, and she is now measuring 9lb 14 oz... so a growth of 1.5 pounds in 1.5 weeks. They are saying I should schedule a C-Section because of the risks associated with a large baby (earliest they will induce or cs is 39 weeks... so one week from today).
I feel like there is no way those estimated fetal weights can be right. Her head may be a little big (it was measuring 40 weeks) but her femur was measuring 43 (my husband is 6'4"... we have tall skinny kids). I just cant imagine its right, and yesterday I got really emotional about it when I was at the doctor's office and they said I would need to get a c-section because if I tried, she might not fit(because of shoulders) and could end in an emergency c-sect anyway which is really dangerous and could lead to oxygen deprivation for the baby.
This just feels wrong to me to not even try. My daughter (7 11) was so easy, no tearing, no anything 15 minutes of pushing. But how do I know what the right thing to do is?
And before I get flamed... I know that this is the internet, and you are not doctors, but you are moms or about to be moms, and I am just not sure what to do.
Updated to add, still don't know what to do, but feel like my doctor is using serious scare tactics... She said if I opt out of the C-Section they will note in my chart that I was going against dr. recommendations and I have been told of the risks and potential neurological and even fatal complications that could result.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Really need advice...
DS1 2-26-07
#4 Due May 2015
IT'S A BOY
I agree that ultrasounds have been known to be off and I understand that you want to assume that since you didn't have any trouble the first two times delivering that this one would be fine too. However, I'm one of those people that hears a phrase like "could lead to oxygen deprivation to the baby" and I wouldn't question the doctor's judgement on the c-section. If you thought the doctor wanted to schedule a CS out of convenience or some other trivial reason- I'd be adamant about a vaginal.
Having said that, If it were me, I wouldn't want to try a vaginal delivery, have something go wrong and then perpetually wonder if I could've prevented it just by getting over my fear of a C-section.
Whichever way you choose, best of luck!
I know many women that have delivered 11lb plus babies without any trouble. Big babies don't necessarily mean a hard time, as you know from your larger child.
Go with your gut, but be prepared would be my course of action...
Monster Truck (It's a GIRL!) is due 19/02/2015!
I am a big believer in instinct. Yes, ultrasounds CAN be off by a pound or more in either direction. But, they aren't always. At 38w2d I had a u/s and the weight was estimated at 8 pounds even. The next day my son was born at 7lbs 14oz- just oz off.
follow your instinct and talk to your health care provider.
All of this. I'd probably listen to my doctors...but I trust them fully. Good luck with whatever you decide.
ACOG doesn't even recommend induction for suspected large babies, let alone c-section. I would not consent to a c-section based on what you've said here. You've already delivered two perfectly healthy babies vaginally, there is not reason to expect that you can't do it again. Shoulder dystocia is a lot less common than complications from c-sections.
Keep in mind too with this being your 3rd, each delivery only gets easier, even if baby is bigger. I had a far easier time with my 8lb12oz baby than I did my 7lb15oz one because it was a 3rd vs a 1st delivery(and #3 was 4 inches longer!).
Stick to your guns, they do emergency c-sections every day, even if you had to be taken in for one it wouldn't be a big surprise, so they'd be watching for any signs of distress from the get-go.
I know a coworker who went through this situation as well. she went with the c-section and when her baby came out smaller then the doc said she was very upset.
Im with the others and say you should try vaginally first! I was my mom's fourth child and I weighed 10 pounds. My mother is very narrow and did just fine!
I was lurking and thought I'd give you my story.
My DS measured big from day one. To the point where had we not known exactly when he was conceived, they'd have moved up my date. Starting at 26 weeks, I consistently measured 3 weeks ahead. All sonos showed him to be a big baby with a big head and a big torso. My last sono was at 39 weeks, 4 days and they guess 9 lbs. 4 oz, and at that point, his broad shoulder span became a concern.
In addition to his size, I was not moving at all toward labor. I was not dilated even a little, not effaced, and he was still way high.
Because of the lack of progress, my doctor did not feel as though induction was a real option. Due to his possible size, she was hesitant to let me go past my due date. His broad shoulders caused further concern that he had a high chance of getting stuck at my pelvis and causing possibly irreversible damage to his neck/shoulder.
We were given the option to wait it out, though my doctor really did not want to do that. So, our options were to induce or schedule the c-section. She told me up front that she would take me to the OR the second she felt even the slightest bit of apprehension at signs he was getting stuck. So, my choice was wait it out against my doctor's advice and grow a larger baby that would likely need a c-section, go through the difficulty of inducing from nothing and either have it not work or have him get stuck and end up in the OR, or schedule the c-section.
I will always believe that this was my first major decision as his mother. I was devesated by the thought of a c-section. But, at that point it wasn't about me, it was about him.
My son was born 9lbs. 6oz. two days after that last sono with a linebacker's shoulders and my doctor's assurance that he would NOT have fit vaginally.
I agonized even after the decision was made, fearing he would not be as bit as they thought and any number of things that could go wrong. But, I trusted my doctor knowing her history of not choosing induction or c-section unless it was the last safe choice.
Bottom line is go with your gut, but don't discount your doctor's feelings (or the projected weight). Good luck!
Ugh. Sorry your Dr is being this way. Like PPs have said, u/s can be far off from actual weight. And even if you have a 9 or 10lb baby, women vaginally deliver babies that size all the time! Just keep in mind OBs are surgeons--most like to operate. I wonder if she has a vacation or something coming up...
With that being said, I totally love my OB--I interviewed him first before going with him with DD1. He is a true believer of not doing anything just bc he can. He would never suggest a c-section for a baby that seems large based off of u/s measurements. His c-section rate is less than 5%.
GL! I really hope you try for your vaginal birth!
The ACOG does NOT recommend a section for large babies: https://www.improvingbirth.org/2013/03/march-20-2013-news-from-acog-re-elective-procedures/