Elective C Section

amyemcd · April 2015

so my DR is pushing for a C Section because baby girl is measuring large. I am 38 weeks and he said have not dialated. From the scans they think she could be 8-9 pounds. I am not small, about 5'3" and 155 before pregnancy with an athletic build. I have had no issues during pregnancy at all. My plan is for an unmedicated birth and only have a C if there are complications.

On my appointment this week the DR pushed to schedule a C next week and listed off all complications with a large baby, I feel like these scare tactics. He even mentioned malpractice lawsuits and how he didn't want to "catch an 8 pound baby"

tdart14 · April 2015

8 pounds an average baby, not a large baby to me.

Aline55 · April 2015

Hi I mostly lurk on here and don't post much but I felt the need to since my DR is like yours trying to convince me to have a C-section or induction soon...She says baby is pretty big, he is only 7.8 pounds, I'm 38 +1 today! I'm in the same situation unfortunately.

amyemcd · April 2015

I feel like he has not even listened to my wishes over the last nine months. We are meeting again tomorrow to discuss and I am keeping with my plan. Of course if there are any complications at all I am open to a c section. I just feel like he wants an easy delivery for him that he can schedule and be in and out. I am floored that he keeps talking about malpractice and actually asked me if I wanted to put my child at risk!? I feel like I am being bullied. Not what I wanted right before delivery. I was hoping to have a supportive DR that I trust. I contemplating switching to a birthing center but seems so late and stressful and I could go into labor at anytime!

JAP09-02 · April 2015

That seems ridiculous, and this is coming from someone who has enjoyed a scheduled c-section. 8 pounds isn't out of the norm. Does he have a vacation planned or something?!

tigerlily25 · April 2015

So ridiculous. This is one of the reasons why I switched doctors- they do this all the time! First of all, doctors can be off by one or more lbs in baby's weight, second of all you are 38 weeks and not dilating which is totally normal (my dr just checked me and I'm not either and they won't even begin to mention induction until 41 weeks), and third your body will not size a baby that you can not deliver naturally. That is very rare. The baby's skull is designed to collapse for that reason and the ligaments attached your hip bones allow for flexibility as well.

tigerlily25 · April 2015

Also, I know someone around your size pre-pregnancy who gave birth to a 10 pound boy vaginally.

mrsmeyer419 · April 2015

I'm your size pre pregnancy, to a T lol. And 8 pounds is a normal sized baby, your doctor is high. Lol. I'm due tomorrow but will probably go over, I have an ultrasound set for Monday to check on baby, and my dr said depending on that we will discuss my options since I wasn't dilated at my last appt. do not let your dr convince into something you don't want:)

amyemcd · April 2015

Thank you all, this just makes me feel even more confident in my decision.

I can definitely say he will not be delivering my second child!

NickyCicc20 · April 2015

They told me at 37 weeks I was having a 7-8 lb baby, after a 35 week ultrasound should she was already almost 5 lbs, which is normal. My little girl was born at 38+1 at only 5lbs 15oz. The estimated birth rates can be so off, I would absolutely not go by that. Sounds like you are doing the right thing by questioning your doctor and thinking about what's best.

JAP09-02 · April 2015

NickyCicc20 said:
They told me at 37 weeks I was having a 7-8 lb baby, after a 35 week ultrasound should she was already almost 5 lbs, which is normal. My little girl was born at 38+1 at only 5lbs 15oz. The estimated birth rates can be so off, I would absolutely not go by that. Sounds like you are doing the right thing by questioning your doctor and thinking about what's best.

This is exactly what happened to me with my first. Only difference was that she was born at 39 + 2 but exact same weight.?

CivilMommy · April 2015

If he is that concerned - ask for a referral to MFM for a Level 2 growth ultrasound. They can be pretty accurate at gauging the size of baby.

I would request a "trial of labor" before consenting to a c/s because the doc thinks the baby is big.

You can come to an agreement with the doc that you want to try vaginal, but if baby gets stuck opt NOT to do things like vacuum or forceps. Don't force the baby out if it really doesn't fit - but if it comes out on its own - then great.

(I vaginally delivered an 11 pound baby with no issues - but did agree to pushing in the operating room just in case. It was a successful non-complicated birth. My first was 9 pounds, also not a problem)

sschwege · April 2015

First I would still look into switching, it may not be too late! Doesn't hurt to inquire at least, your OB is throwing up huge red flags here!

Is there a reason your doc is doing growth scans in the first place? They are horribly inaccurate this late in the game. Research on your own and if possible get a second opinion, something doesn't seem right here. I guess my first question is why your OB does not seem to be following the recommendations set forth by the ACOG regarding suspected 'big baby':

From the ACOG site:

Suspected Fetal Macrosomia

Suspected fetal macrosomia is not an indication for delivery and
rarely is an indication for cesarean delivery. To avoid potential birth
trauma, the College recommends that cesarean delivery be limited to
estimated fetal weights of at least 5,000 g in women without diabetes
and at least 4,500 g in women with diabetes (Table 3) (99).
This recommendation is based on estimations of the number needed to
treat from a study that modeled the potential risks and benefits from a
scheduled, nonmedically indicated cesarean delivery for suspected fetal
macrosomia, including shoulder dystocias and permanent brachial plexus
injuries (100).
The prevalence of birth weight of 5,000 g or more is rare, and patients
should be counseled that estimates of fetal weight, particularly late
in gestation, are imprecise (Table 3). Even when these thresholds are
not reached, screening ultrasonography performed late in pregnancy has
been associated with the unintended consequence of increased cesarean
delivery with no evidence of neonatal benefit (101). Thus, ultrasonography for estimated fetal weight in the third trimester should be used sparingly and with clear indications.

https://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Obstetric-Care-Consensus-Series/Safe-Prevention-of-the-Primary-Cesarean-Delivery

5,000 grams is 11lbs, you are no where near that number! Your doc doesn't want to deliver an 8lb baby?! Perhaps obstetrics is not the field for him/her that is very average! DS was 8lb12oz and I had him out in two pushes with no complications. I know you know this but your doctor doesn't have the final word, you do!

amyemcd · April 2015

We met with him today and he was pleasant as pie. Asked if we would like a referral for another scan and if we had thought about the c section anymore. I told him we do not need another scan due to inaccuracies in determining the actual birth weight and we are still wanting a natural birth. He politely said ok and we will see you next week.....weird. I feel like he threw out some sales pitch about a c section and realized we were not buying. I am just floored by the entire thing, was he having a bad day on Tuesday when he went on his rant?

Babybean2211 · July 2015

I was told the same thing that I should schedule a C section because I was measuring big and that If you try to push a large baby out it could cause nerve damage to the shoulders and he could be permanently paralyzed. My reason for the baby being large is different than you however because mine was cause by Gestational Diabetes. I was on a strict diet and everything but my blood sugar was not regulated due to hormone levels and my doc recommended a C section because babies born to women with Gestational Diabetes are usually broad shouldered and at risk for what I explained. My son ended up being 8 pounds 12 ounces and 21 inches long which is big; but I have friends that delivered larger babies vaginally that didn't have diabetes and they were fine. The truth is that doctors also make more money off of you for having a C section than vaginal birth which could be a reason as well. At the end of the day do what you feel in your heart is right. If you go for the natural birth and you get there and they say you must have a C section then it is what it is. What I learned is that things don't always go according to plan. Just be open to whatever is safest for your baby and for you. Best wishes

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DD 7/2010, DS 3/2012, #3 due 4/24/2015

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