Do big babies usually mean c -sections? Anyone have a CS because of weight?

jschwerr0016 · January 2015

I'm measuring 6 weeks ahead - just had a growth ultrasound at 34 1/2 weeks and baby was estimated to be 9 lbs. They have another ultrasound in 2 weeks, but docs don't want to schedule a c-section yet. At this point I'm hoping to have one! Anyone have any similar experience with a big baby?

JessicaH1020 · January 2015

Estimations can be off, which is probably why your doctor is hesitant to schedule. A family friend was estimated to have a 10 pound baby but wound up with an 8 pound baby, which is totally doable. Heck, my best friend had a VBAC with a 10 pound baby a few months ago.

I wouldn't worry about it and try to have a vaginal birth. Obviously if it looks like the baby is too big or is otherwise in distress, your doctor will make the call to have C-section.

maryxc1 · January 2015

I agree with PP. Those estimates can be way off. DS was a vaginal birth at over 9 lbs and a friend that had a daughter a few days before was over 10 lbs vaginally.

jknallen · January 2015

No. My friends baby was just over 11lbs and she gave birth vaginally.

Zsmommmy · January 2015

My first.was almost 10

Sahara6971 · January 2015

With DS#1 I labored for 23 hours and pushed for 3. He did not budge so I had to have a c-section. He ended up being 9 1/2 pounds (I am small 5 ft tall). DS #2 was a scheduled c-section because he was measuring big as well. I had him at 39 weeks and he was just under 9 lbs. This one is measuring big as well. I have a c-section scheduled for 39 weeks which I will gladly take unless I go into labor on my own before that.

sweetdreamz6700 · January 2015

I've measured ahead since my 12wk NT scan and my docs currently have no set or special plans. At 37wks she measured 8lbs 13oz and my perinatologist allows for weight to be off either way. Still has no plans for c-sec. d/t size. We have 3 "plans" -- go into labor on my own and seeing what happens, induction or C-section just after 40wks depending on my bishop score (anything less than a 9 and my doc doesn't want to induce) or a free for all if my fluid drops below 5.

Beth.1212 · January 2015

I wouldn't give the size estimates a second thought. They're often off by quite a bit. Also, the difficulty of labor is related to many things including the position of the baby, the shape of the mother's pelvis and such. There are plenty of women who have straightforward labors with larger babies, and plenty of women who have very painful labors with smaller babies.

Mommalawyer · January 2015

DD wasn't big, she was 7lbs3oz, but I nearly had a c-section because of her size, in relation to my body. This was after countless hours of labor and 2.5 hours of pushing. Luckily it didn't come to that, due to help of the vacuum, but it was certainly a possibility. Not preplanned obviously.

dreemkin84 · January 2015

When I had DD another women there gave birth to a 12lb baby vaginally. I think it depends on the women and the situation. I wouldn't want a csection though...

Mommalawyer · January 2015

dreemkin84 said:
When I had DD another women there gave birth to a 12lb baby vaginally. I think it depends on the women and the situation. I wouldn't want a csection though...

One of of my colleague's wife had a 12 pounder. At home, unmedicated. Nothing.

Ceefome · January 2015

Here's an interesting article I read over in the VBAC board. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/

My first was 8#6oz at 37 weeks. I wound up with a c/s due to her position. Her sister was 7#12oz at 40w3d via VBAC. Their brother was 9#14oz at 39w4d and my easiest delivery of all.

scgmama · January 2015

My friend recently had a cesarean for a 10lb baby. She told me it was because of the size of his shoulders that they scheduled the cesarean, not purely based off of weight.

sbronsing · January 2015

I am currently 35 weeks + 5 days and have a scheduled c section for February 19th due to the size of my babe who measures greater than the 99th percentile percentile at my 35 week ultrasound. They estimated his weight to be 7.14 lbs. my doc stressed the danger of a vaginal delivery for me because he was most concerned about the shoulders getting stuck and potentially causing nerve damage to the babies spine.

csexson35 · January 2015

My son was measuring over 10 pounds at 36 weeks but as babies get bigger the margin of error increases as well. I was induced 2 days before my due date and had a vaginal birth. My bubba was 10pounds 13oz. 24inches. I am glad I didn't have a c section.

lelly0086 · January 2015

My son was measuring 3 weeks ahead at every growth ultrasound. I just had him at 37 weeks he weighed 7lbs 13oz, the last check the day before measured 7lbs 8oz so they can be pretty close in the scans, I just wouldn't use that as your only reason for c section. I'm 5 days PP after my c section and still having a hard time recovering.