CSection if baby is too big?

folamij · April 2016

I didn't see anything relating to this when I searched so hope this isn't a double post!

Im currently 35 weeks and my measurements have been slightly off so my Dr. ordered an ultrasound to check on baby. Turns out munchkin is just fine but on the longer side with measurements dating her at 37 weeks and weight is estimated a little over 7 lbs. I have been planning on a vaginal delivery but my Dr. said if munchkin gets to 10lbs and doesn't come naturally, she would order a csection.

She also checked my cervix and I'm not even close to being dilated apparently, which I'm fine with, especially if I'm not to term yet.

My fear is that baby will reach 10 lbs and I'll be forced into a csection. Any advice is appreciated!

LovingLife! · April 2016

Don't let your doctor force you into anything you don't want to do! 2 days before DD1 was born, the u/s tech said she was a 7 lb. baby. She came out weighing 9 lbs! I ended up having a c/s with her (failure to progress & baby's hr dropping). Had a successful VBAC with DD2 who weighed 9 lbs. 4 oz. Go with your gut!

JoMunson · April 2016

Ultra sounds are, from what I understand, not that great at measuring babies. I agree with PP's, don't let ANYONE bully you into something you don't want!

lionstigersbears · April 2016

Suspecting a large baby is not considered a medical reason to induce or perform a csection before 39 weeks according to ACOG. Research has shown that the way doctors behave when they suspect a "big baby" is more harmful than a big baby itself. Of course there are good reasons for csections, just keep in mind that you are your own advocate here and should read up on this!

mumbolino · April 2016

What they said! :-) a suspected large baby is by no means a medical reason to induce or have a csection. Unless there is a valid reason don't let anyone pressure you. It's your birth! ❤️

kbrands7 · April 2016

As PP said, a suspected big baby alone really isn't enough for a doctor to pressure you into a csection if you don't want one. If it's clear that baby's head measures much larger than your pelvic opening, that's different-- but it's also incredibly rare. It's pretty well-documented that especially if you baby is in a good labor position and you're able to try a variety of pushing positions, even a very large baby can come out of a petite woman just fine.

dsmith211 · April 2016

My midwife is already talking about this. Baby supposedly showed at 7lbs 6 oz at the last ultrasound and then of course they said, 'but it could be off +-2 lbs'. I still feel like they may be trying to push it though out of concern. I've already said unless there is a valid medical reason I will not be consenting to a c-section... Them saying baby is big is not a good enough reason for me.

MIL actually said was this same size at this same time in her pregnancy and she ended up having DH just fine. He came out at the size they said he was around 36 weeks. So I'm just taking things as they come and if I end up needing a c-section fine, but I'm not planning on it.

littlebb22 · April 2016

Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) is when the baby cannot fit through your pelvis and is extremely rare. I agree with PP that you should not let yourself be scared or bullied into a procedure you're not comfortable with. A friend of mine delivered her 10 pound baby vaginally last fall and neither are worse for the wear! I'd definitely find out if there are specific medical reasons your Dr feels a c section may be needed. Good luck!

proudparent2b · April 2016

As everyone has said, estimates are often just that. My mom's OB thought I'd be 12-14 pounds, but I ended up being less than 8 1/2 pounds. From what I've learned in my birth classes, not much has changed on the guesses. Unfortunately, because they are measuring through you and liquid, just a slightly wrong angle can make LO's measurements come out bigger or smaller. It's like measuring something in a fish bowl filled with water.

I'd ask if this is your OB's standard practice to not deliver 10+ pound babies naturally, or if there is some other underlying concern (like small pelvis).

The fact that she said CS if baby doesn't come naturally makes me think she'll let you have a shot at a natural birth first. You might want to have her clarify when she'd step in for CS.

slfezz · April 2016

I agree with ultrasound measurements being way off at times. DD1 was measured to be around 9.5 lbs a few days prior to inducing and only ended up being 8 lbs. I chose the induction at 40 weeks since I wanted to reduce the risk of a CS due to a large baby if I went overdue (this was 6 years ago).

NB817 · April 2016

Agree with what everyone else said. They can't make you get one unless your life or the baby is in danger. A 10lb baby is not a danger. Lol. One of my very good friends delivered a 10lb baby completely naturally (no epidural, nothing) of course they told her he was about 8lbs and she was 41 weeks when she delivered.
Point being they also have NO clue how big a baby will be until it comes out.
I've been measuring 3 weeks ahead since I was 15 weeks pregnant which could be any number of factors...fluid, fibroids, etc. it doesn't mean I have a 10 pounder in me!

(my OB went as far as questioning when this baby was conceived but since it was fertility treatment that got me KU there's science that he can't argue with.lol.)

kitandcat · April 2016

My nephew was born vaginally at 10 1/2 pounds!

tripledaggerWed95976 · April 2016

Ultrasounds are notorious for sometimes being off by 1-2lbs so I wouldn't worry quite yet.

finnybooboo · April 2016

My daughter was 10lbs 1oz, 22 in when she was born 2 years ago. We actually never had a growth scan later in the pregnancy, so it was a complete shock to us. I tried having her vaginally, but because of her size, she wasn't progressing and I ended up with an emergency c-section anyway. I was extremely happy with that decision, because honestly, I would rather have an incision on my abdomen then the epesiodomy (sp?) or major tearing that likely would have happened. Since the likelihood of this baby being large is high too, I've decided on a repeat c-section and didn't even consider a VBAC.

All that being said - I don't necessarily regret trying the vaginal delivery, and if that's what you want to do, you should push back on your doctor to let you at least try. If it ends up that the baby is large and things aren't progressing, then a game-time decision can be made based on the best interests of yourself and the baby. Size, especially when it's such a guesstimate, shouldn't be what determines whether or not you should even be allowed to try a vaginal birth. Stick to your guns unless they have a true medical reason.

folamij · April 2016

Thank you all for your input! I will definitely be speaking with my Dr. to better understand why specifically a csection was mentioned, and continue working to follow my birth plan unless its not in the best interests for myself and my baby of course.

kyliebur · April 2016

I just wanted to add that with my first, I wasn't dilated AT ALL, even at 40 weeks. I was REALLY concerned that my body didn't know what it was supposed to do. At 40 w, 5 days - still nothing. My Dr. was able to wake things up and even though it took 12 hours, I still delivered my 9 lbs, 2 oz baby girl vaginally.

clw617 · April 2016

Just to throw in two different scenarios that have happened to people I know:

A co-worker I was just talking to yesterday said the doctor suspected she had a big baby and she was induced (and delivered vaginally) at 38 weeks.

And my sister delivered her 10lb son vaginally (with no epidural, she loves to remind everyone. lol She got to the hospital too late for it).

So big baby alone doesn't necessarily warrant a CS. But like others have said, go forward with your birth plan, see how your body does, and go from there. You'll do great!

codeeye · April 2016

On Wednesday the doctor told me my baby was "rather large" and to consider the chance of an emergency c-section (I'm a rather small person so that's what has him concerned) after my SO and I discussed it we just changed our birth plan a little to reflect what I would want if a c-section was needed. Originally I didn't want any pain medication and to go full natural. Now I am going to ask for an epidural to be placed but not used right away. That way if I need a c-section I can still be awake and have the skin to skin time without being as groggy from general anesthesic. That way we can just see how it all plays out but be ready for whichever situation unfolds!

camillaandcarson · April 2016

I am another story of a baby who was "going to be big" in the 90% percentile. Baby was born full term under 7 lbs.
Ultrasounds aren't always accurate.

onislandtime · April 2016

My ultrasound estimate was right on at 32 weeks (figuring they gain .5 lbs a week)

I had a scheduled c/s at 39 weeks and baby was 9lbs 13oz 21.5 inches long with a giant head and shoulder width. I went with the Dr's suggestion for a c/s. I never dilated or effaced and baby was still really high at 39 weeks.

My mom had big babies and tried to deliver naturally. My sister was stuck in the birth canal and as a result is nearly 50% deaf. I did have some reservations about doing a scheduled c/s, but I went with my gut and decided to. I'm glad I did. When he was born, the dr told me it was the best decision I could have made because it wouldn't have happened naturally or without some type of medical assistance like forceps, breaking shoulder etc

camillaandcarson · April 2016

Also if I were you I would hire a doula after that conversation with my doctor.

gemini2005 · April 2016

My mom was a 12 pounder. Back then, my grandma had no idea she was going to be so large. She said she pushed her out with no problems at all. My aunts were all averaged sized so it was odd that she was that huge at birth.

folamij · April 2016

camillaandcarson said:

I am another story of a baby who was "going to be big" in the 90% percentile. Baby was born full term under 7 lbs.
Ultrasonds aren't always accurate.

Whoa. Currently, I'm being told baby is in 95th percentile. Crazy how off measurements can be!

folamij · April 2016

onislandtime said:

My ultrasound estimate was right on at 32 weeks (figuring they gain .5 lbs a week)

I had a scheduled c/s at 39 weeks and baby was 9lbs 13oz 21.5 inches long with a giant head and shoulder width. I went with the Dr's suggestion for a c/s. I never dilated or effaced and baby was still really high at 39 weeks.

My mom had big babies and tried to deliver naturally. My sister was stuck in the birth canal and as a result is nearly 50% deaf. I did have some reservations about doing a scheduled c/s, but I went with my gut and decided to. I'm glad I did. When he was born, the dr told me it was the best decision I could have made because it wouldn't have happened naturally or without some type of medical assistance like forceps, breaking shoulder etc

Both my mom and my MIL have told me they had big babies, so hearing baby was big was easy for me to accept because I chalked it up to genetics. My OB is usually very cautious which I do appreciate given my history. Thanks for sharing. I'm so glad all is ok with your LO!

dsmith211 · April 2016

folamij said:

camillaandcarson said:

I am another story of a baby who was "going to be big" in the 90% percentile. Baby was born full term under 7 lbs.
Ultrasonds aren't always accurate.

Whoa. Currently, I'm being told baby is in 95th percentile. Crazy how off measurements can be!

Apparently my baby is in the 95th percentile as well. DH's family has a history of big babies and my mom did say my sister was like 10 lbs at birth so we'll see I guess.

camillaandcarson · April 2016

This time around ultrasound is showing baby is once again "measuring ahead". I take it with a huge grain of salt since my last full term healthy baby in the "90th" percentile was under 7 pounds at birth. I estimate this baby will be 7 pounds even. Guess we will see in a few weeks (OMG can't believe it is so close!)

Bellodomani · April 2016

Also, a few PP have commented about the risk of tearing with a bigger baby- just wanted to out it out there that bigger baby does not always equal more tearing! I had a 9 lb baby and only required 1 stitch, and have several friends with 5-7 lb babies who had far worse tearing. Position, how you push, etc have way more impact on that outcome.

gamommyx3 · April 2016

camillaandcarson said:

Also if I were you I would hire a doula after that conversation with my doctor.

^^wss. Have someone there to advocate for you.

ayeshaohara · April 2016

My brother was 12lbs when he was born. My mum delivered him vaginally, so it can be done!! I'm sure it wasn't pleasant as that's a huge baby (he was also over term) but big baby is definitely not a good enough reason to consent to a C section IMO.

JoMunson · April 2016

ayeshaohara said:

My brother was 12lbs when he was born. My mum delivered him vaginally, so it can be done!! I'm sure it wasn't pleasant as that's a huge baby (he was also over term) but big baby is definitely not a good enough reason to consent to a C section IMO.

I wanted to echo this- my first brother was a "big" baby, so much that the OB believed my mom had untreated GD and had her take the glucose test MULTIPLES times because it kept coming back negative with my second brother, which lead her to having a home birth. It turned out my brother wasn't a big baby, he was just a big person- he's 6 foot 4 now!

BlueJuice · April 2016

I just wanted to throw out there that when I was doula-ing, one of my moms gave birth to a 12+ lb baby vaginally. All the other stuff about ultrasounds having a significant variability as far as accuracy of measurements also holds true.

ayeshaohara · April 2016

JoMunson said:

ayeshaohara said:

My brother was 12lbs when he was born. My mum delivered him vaginally, so it can be done!! I'm sure it wasn't pleasant as that's a huge baby (he was also over term) but big baby is definitely not a good enough reason to consent to a C section IMO.

I wanted to echo this- my first brother was a "big" baby, so much that the OB believed my mom had untreated GD and had her take the glucose test MULTIPLES times because it kept coming back negative with my second brother, which lead her to having a home birth. It turned out my brother wasn't a big baby, he was just a big person- he's 6 foot 4 now!

Mine too. He's 6 ft 4 as well. That's so funny. He's always been a giant. He's my personal body guard!! Mind you I'm not exactly small either. Almost 10lbs at birth and I'm 5'10" now.

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