C-Section vs Natural Birth

sharilynsujata · May 2016

Hi Mamas! I'm pregnant with my first and could use some advice. My sweet baby girl is weighing in at 10 lbs 7 oz and I'm 38 weeks pregnant. I can try to wait it out and go naturally, but my doctor said that chances of me having to have an emergency c-section is very high. I can either schedule a c-section for this Friday, next Wednesday or just wait it out. My due date is May 26th. Any moms out there who have had larger babies who could offer some insight? Thanks in advance!

wamam027 · May 2016

Hi there, first off, the size estimates can be off by quite a bit, some say +/- 2lbs some say +/- 1 lb. My baby was estimated at 8lb 7oz at 36 weeks and I let my ob know I wanted to attempt a vaginal delivery regardless of whether or not I wound up with a csection. We had to induce at 37w5d due to my pre-eclampsia and I was successful at a vaginal delivery. DD weighed 8lb 9oz at birth 2 weeks ago, so her estimates 2 weeks prior were off as according to the US tech she'd be 10lbs by my 37w5d delivery. Regardless, plenty of women deliver large babies 8,9,10 lbs vaginally with little to no problems. I'd request an induction before jumping straight to a csection solely for size.

LadySamLady · May 2016

My baby was big, not as big as yours is estimated to be, but she was in the 98th percentile at 9lbs12oz. The first thing to keep in mind is that the weight they are giving you is an estimate and those estimates are often wrong. For me, it was important that I had a chance to deliver her naturally and I'm very proud of how hard I tried. After 22 hours of labor and 3 pushing I ended up having a c-section because it became clear that she would not fit through my pelvis. She would seem to crown and then go right back up. It was really hard work but it was worth it to me in the event I could have delivered vaginally. C-section recovery has been very difficult and painful and the surgery itself is very uncomfortable and there are many risks as there are with any major surgeries, personally it is not something I would have chosen unless it was absolutely necessary.

lalala2004 · May 2016

Just a few things to consider:
Ultrasound measurements for size can be off by 2 pounds at this stage. That's a pretty big margin of error!

Its believed that it's less about baby's weight and more about head circumference. A heavy baby and big head don't always go together.

I've known several women with 10lb+ babies vaginally and quite uneventfully. It happens, but it makes doctors nervous for some reason (at least 2 I knew used midwives).

It really comes down to your comfort level and how much avoiding a C section means to you, or perhaps your anxiety about the uncertainty.

sillyfox · May 2016

I'm assuming by natural you mean vaginal?

I agree with PPs, my first was estimated to be 9#10 oz the day before she was born and she was 8#14 oz. Don't let size be the only factor that makes the decision for you. I'm trying for VBAC with this LO even though he's measuring large also. For me, the decision was about things like recovery time and shorter hospital stay (since I have a toddler at home). But weigh what is important to you and make the decision that is best for you. If I end up with another CS I'm perfectly happy with that. Whatever gets baby here safely.

Bellodomani · May 2016

Same as PP- my baby was estimated at 7 lb 8 oz, 3 days later she came and was 9 lb 1 oz, so clearly the technology is not always accurate. Also, I know it would totally suck recovery-wise to do a bunch of pushing AND end up with a c-section, but there is evidence that babies who go through both still reap some of the benefits of a vaginal birth in terms of gaining some of their microbiota from vaginal flora and a few other benefits.

NB817 · May 2016

I agree. They honestly can't tell how much your baby weighs until it's born.

That being said im all about planned C-sections because of my medical history but if you have your heart set on vaginal birth than go for the induction.

dsmith211 · May 2016

I was told my baby was going to be 9 pounds at an ultrasound 2 days before he was born. He was 7 pounds 2 oz. I ended up having a c-section for other reasons, but please do not let size be the indicator for a c-section as PP's have said.

slfezz · May 2016

I've had two induction that resulted in a vaginal delivery and now a c-section and I can tell you my recovery from the c-section has been a lot harder than my others and is lasting longer.

I've also had untrasound measurements be off by more than a pound or really close. It just depends on the quality of pics and the skill of the tech.

If I was you, I would try for the vaginal delivery first. There is no magic cutoff weight that a baby is too big yet. It all just depends on how your body does during the process.

mrstmoose · May 2016

PP have said it all. But, around here we like to use c-section and vaginal instead of natural and unmedicated versus medicated. Any way you birth a child is "natural."

armaybaby · May 2016

Anyone told they have a small pelvis and larger sized baby? What were your options or what did you do? I basically was given the choice between 'wait and see' until a week overdue or so, scheduling induction, or scheduling a c-section. Doctor said with having a small pelvis you run the risk of pushing for hours and hours and then end up having a c-section. He said it was completely up to me but that obviously if he had a medical recommendation the next time he saw me he would let me know. My mom pushed for hours and hours with her first and ended up having a c-section, and then scheduled a c-section with me. I kind of feel like the weight of the decision has been weighing heavy on me.

mcb2016 · May 2016

I would try for the vaginal if I were in your situation. That said I had a c-section and recovery has been way better than I ever thought it would be. I haven't needed any pain medicine except for the first three days at the hospital.

LadySamLady · May 2016

armaybaby said:

Anyone told they have a small pelvis and larger sized baby? What were your options or what did you do? I basically was given the choice between 'wait and see' until a week overdue or so, scheduling induction, or scheduling a c-section. Doctor said with having a small pelvis you run the risk of pushing for hours and hours and then end up having a c-section. He said it was completely up to me but that obviously if he had a medical recommendation the next time he saw me he would let me know. My mom pushed for hours and hours with her first and ended up having a c-section, and then scheduled a c-section with me. I kind of feel like the weight of the decision has been weighing heavy on me.

My dr suspected that my baby couldn't fit when she hadn't dropped at my 39 week appt. No matter what though, she was going to let me attempt to deliver vaginally. She ended up being right and I had a c-section after 22 hours of labor with 3 pushing. It was a hard labor and recovery has been difficult but I really wouldn't change it for anything. I feel proud of how hard I tried to deliver vaginally and I'm glad that the decision to have a c-section was made knowing that it was the only option particularly since I wasn't overdue.

vinerie · May 2016

No time to read PP, but FWIW, I went in on Monday, a week overdue, and measured 10 pounds, 8 ounces. Dr. immediately said I should have a C-section. I was devastated. I had a C-section the next day and LO came out at 9 pounds, 13 ounces. The doctor said he was so glad I chose the C-section.

mondo77 · May 2016

I didn't have a size estimate, but my LO ended up being 10lb 14 oz. I pushed for a couple hours and ended up getting a c-section when he couldn't fit. LO has some healing marks on his head from being stuck, otherwise healthy! I have terrible hemhroids from the pushing, that will heal as well. I'm glad I had the opportunity to try to have a vaginal birth before deciding on a c-section.

fishwife799 · May 2016

vinerie said:

No time to read PP, but FWIW, I went in on Monday, a week overdue, and measured 10 pounds, 8 ounces. Dr. immediately said I should have a C-section. I was devastated. I had a C-section the next day and LO came out at 9 pounds, 13 ounces. The doctor said he was so glad I chose the C-section.

Lurking from June but I have to ask. In the announcement thread you said LO was 13lbs 9oz. I was shocked and amazed at that. So I'm wondering now if that was a typo. Either way congrats on the little one:)

s2squared · May 2016

I was freaked out about having a big baby as I was a big baby and both my H and I are tall. I also had a previous gyno tell me I had a narrow pelvic and couldn't birth a big baby. All these issues were addressed with my Dr. and she told me we couldn't predict anything accurately beforehand. To make a long story short, last week I gave birth vaginally to a 10lb 12 oz 23" long healthy baby boy. He was even coming down crooked (ear first), which made labor and pushing even more difficult, however he straightened out with some pushing. It is feasible to do, but I would listen to your Dr and medical team and see how confident they are in the size and what would be best for you. We had no idea our baby would be so big! It put us all in shock, and I may have given my nurse and Dr a guilt trip after delivery with the comment, "You let me push that out me?!?" I had a 2nd degree tear and pushed for almost 2 hours. (I didn't have GD, and gained weight within the healthy range and my Dr double checked my charts after to see if there was something we missed and she confirmed there were no signs to predict he would be so big.) I now have some major cred at the hospital and with my husband. Best of luck with your delivery and baby!

lalala2004 · May 2016

fishwife799 said:

vinerie said:

No time to read PP, but FWIW, I went in on Monday, a week overdue, and measured 10 pounds, 8 ounces. Dr. immediately said I should have a C-section. I was devastated. I had a C-section the next day and LO came out at 9 pounds, 13 ounces. The doctor said he was so glad I chose the C-section.

Lurking from June but I have to ask. In the announcement thread you said LO was 13lbs 9oz. I was shocked and amazed at that. So I'm wondering now if that was a typo. Either way congrats on the little one:)

Same! @vinerie you didn't really have a 13 lb baby, did you????

vinerie · May 2016

lol, @lalala2004 and @fishwife799no! Sorry, i transposed the numbers. He was 9lb, 13oz, not 13lb, 9 oz. I waited a week to write that announcement and I still don't have my mind together, apparently!

That1didntcount · May 2016

vinerie said:

lol, @lalala2004 and @fishwife799no! Sorry, i transposed the numbers. He was 9lb, 13oz, not 13lb, 9 oz. I waited a week to write that announcement and I still don't have my mind together, apparently!

I also was in awe of the infamous 13 lb baby!

pbandjyummies · May 2016

That1didntcount said:

vinerie said:

lol, @lalala2004 and @fishwife799no! Sorry, i transposed the numbers. He was 9lb, 13oz, not 13lb, 9 oz. I waited a week to write that announcement and I still don't have my mind together, apparently!

I also was in awe of the infamous 13 lb baby!

me too! I was like O_O... I was even telling my husband about it lol

mcb2016 · May 2016

haha. I was in awe of the 13 pounder too!

fishwife799 · May 2016

vinerie said:

lol, @lalala2004 and @fishwife799no! Sorry, i transposed the numbers. He was 9lb, 13oz, not 13lb, 9 oz. I waited a week to write that announcement and I still don't have my mind together, apparently!

I figured as much when I saw the 9lbs here. It's hard to gather all your thoughts after baby comes. Congrats on your healthy and not 13lb baby

nerdymama15 · May 2016

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but since we're talking about the size of babies....... my DH sent me a link once with the record setting baby weights. The world record for the heaviest baby was in 1955 weighing in at a whooping 22lbs. I don't remember the ounces, but I can't forget the poundage. I mean omg can you even imagine pushing that out? Or having that cut out? (Did they have c-sections in the 50s?).
Edit: heaviest baby that survived.

vinerie · May 2016

nerdymama15 said:

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but since we're talking about the size of babies....... my DH sent me a link once with the record setting baby weights. The world record for the heaviest baby was in 1955 weighing in at a whooping 22lbs. I don't remember the ounces, but I can't forget the poundage. I mean omg can you even imagine pushing that out? Or having that cut out? (Did they have c-sections in the 50s?).
Edit: heaviest baby that survived.

This reminds me of a thought that popped into my head shortly after birth. Remember "octo-mom"? Carrying 8 babies?! Eek! Even if small, that's a lot to carry. And then care for. I got sad thinking about how little time each of those 8 babies must get with their mom.

Nicbert1214 · May 2016

My sonogram weight estimate was off too- they were estimating my LO at over 9lbs. He came at 41+5 at 7lbs. 11oz.

JoMunson · May 2016

Ezra's now about 9 pounds and 22 inches (he was 8.2 and 21 at birth). My mom commented that he's now as big as my middle brother was at birth (who is now 6 feet 5 inches). When my mom got pregnant again her doctor was "sure" she'd have GD because she'd had "such a large baby". Now I'm looking at my kid and thinking- seriously?!

fishwife799 · May 2016

JoMunson said:

Ezra's now about 9 pounds and 22 inches (he was 8.2 and 21 at birth). My mom commented that he's now as big as my middle brother was at birth (who is now 6 feet 5 inches). When my mom got pregnant again her doctor was "sure" she'd have GD because she'd had "such a large baby". Now I'm looking at my kid and thinking- seriously?!

My son was 9lbs 2oz and 22 in. at birth. I swear every nurse that came into my room asked if I had GD which I didn't. All based on his size. Some people just make big babies!!

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