In need of some advice

[AKJD2209]

So I went to the doctors Friday and had an ultrasound, my little girl is weighing about 9 pounds right now. I will be having another ultrasound next Friday; well my doctor told me that I need to think about a c-section because of her size that there is a chance she could get stuck at the shoulders, which really scares me. He said I could try deliver her vaginally, but there is that possibility. Also, he said that I do not have a favorable cervix, I have been a finger tip dilated for two weeks now and my cervix is still very thick. I have to tell him what we want to do Friday after my ultrasound, I am planned for induction for the 2nd of May; but I do not know what I want to so if anyone can give me any type of advice I'd love it. This is my first child and I just turned 20, my mother said if I have to get a c section I could have them cut a certain way where I could deliver vaginally down the road that's what they did with her when she was pregnant with me. Again, please any advice would help; I don't know what I should do.

[smjmekg]

I can tell you first hand, that c-sections are NOT fun. I honestly think you should try vaginally and if things don't progress or it doesn't work out in the end and a c-section is needed so be it. I had a c-section with my son because he was breech, and thinking back I really wish I would have tried to have him flipped but I was too scared he would come early and the success rate was not looking good at 50/50. PLUS he could have flipped back. I really would use the c-section as a LAST resort. If it weren't for the fact that I had my husband home from Korea for two weeks and my mom off work the following two weeks I would have been in bad shape. I was so physically worn out after my c-section, I couldn't walk far without taking a break, and I mean like 30 feet, and it's painful afterwards. Like others have said the ultrasounds can be off. I never got one for my son's size, but with this baby I'm planing on having a vaginal birth. My son was breech and the dr has told me that I should be able to have a vaginal birth since that's the only reason I had the c-section, but with you if the baby is too big they may or may not let you try vaginally next time. It's always worth a try. My scar is really low, just above my pubic bone, and they didn't use stitches on the outside so it's just a line. I hope you can do it vaginally, I wanted nothing more than a water birth, with as little medical intervention as I could get and I got the exact opposite. I personally think that's also why I didn't produce much breast milk because my body wasn't ready for the baby to come out, I never went into labor I had my son at 39 weeks exactly, and my cervix never went past 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. A lot can change over the next few days/weeks whenever you go to deliver. Good luck to you!!!  

[AKJD2209]

Thank you so much for all of the advice, my boyfriend will be my labor coach if he doesn't faint on me. Which I'm worried he will, because he gets more worked up about EVERYTHING more than I do. I really do appreciate all of this, being young no one I know has a very good advice.

[JoyRenee]

Late term sonogram measurements are not accurate, as LosingMyMindinGA stated! I would NOT have an elective c-section based on that.

If you are, in fact, having a large baby you CAN have them vaginally. The best way to give birth is on your hands and knees or in a squatting position. This will open up your pelvis wide for baby to be delivered. It is rare that a woman's pelvis isn't large enough to accommodate her baby and if that ends up being the case at least you tried vaginal birth.

Women who give birth naturally have the easiest time birthing this way because they are USUALLY free to move around and get in a position that is best for delivering a baby. Semi-sitting or laying on your back is not conducive to giving birth. It narrows the birth canal and you're pushing against gravity instead of with it.

So my advice to you is (if you have an epidural) is to push on your side. The nurse or your labor partner (Mom?) will help hold that leg up for you while you push. This can also reduce tearing.

Another thing they can do if you are tied to the bed with IVs and epidural and whatever else is to ask that they lower the end of the bed so that you're almost standing, supported by the bed. They can attach a squat bar and you can squat to give birth.

It's hard to find doctors that will allow you to push in positions other than on your back because they want a "good view". But a good view for THEM isn't always what is best for YOU or the baby. I would recommend watching The Business of Being Born (free to watch on letmewatchthis).

[LosingMyMindInGA]

OK, I was just wondering if there was any medical necessity for it.  Iwould def. stick with the induction and not the c-section.

[Limonada]

Ultrasounds are not at all accurate in terms of telling you the weight of your baby....I had a biophysical profile u/s done just prior to delivering my second son in January, and I was told that the baby was 7lbs. 7ozs. or so - and he actually ended up being 6lbs. 11ozs.

I don't think that weight, guestimated via u/s, should be the sold basis for offering a c-section.

[AKJD2209]

Thanks for the advice,


they're planning induction because I'm a college student and I want to deliver at home, which is three hours away from where I go to school. I tried going to the doctors here, but in Big Rapids, the doctors are very "dry" and don't believe in children out of wedlock and what not and they did not treat me kindly at all when I went to the doctors. I had to go to the birthing center here last week, because my doctor wanted me to be monitored for a little bit because I was having contractions and the doctor was a total ***** to me. So I'm a lot more comfortable back at home with the doctors I have, plus I want my mom there because I'm a huge momma's girl.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

To be honest the weight they give you from ultrasounds are estimates.  They have been know to be off by as much as 2-3 lbs.  Doctors have scared women into thinkin they were going to have an 11 lb baby and it came out 7 or 8 lbs.  Sometimes their estimates are correct but there is a high rate of them being off.  As for your cervix.  It may not be changing becuase the baby is not ready to come out yet.  I wouldn't call that "unfavorable" unless he knows something else he's not telling you. Many times the cervix does not thin or dialate until right before labor, it CAN happen very quickly.

I had a c-section with my first (I was 18).  Mine was an emergency becuase of fetal distress and no fluid.  C-sections are great if they are 100% medically necessary but as another poster pointed out, too many doctors would prefer to find the tiniest reason to schedule one to make things more convenient for them.  

As for having children vaginally after a c-section, as long as they do a low transverse incision on the uterus (they can cut the skin one way and the uterus another) then you have a better chance of doing a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) Both my skin and uterine incisions were done just above my pubic bone and my scar is about 4-5 inches wide.  I had my c-section in 1999 and I have since had 4 successful VBACS and am planning another one this time.  It's really a personal decision but if I were in your shoes and my doctor gave me that choice I would without a doubt choose to attempt labor on my own but ask my doctor to have the hospital prepared for the chance of a c-section just in case.  

Why are they planning an induction?

[DreamWeaver0312]

Speaking from my own experience, dr's like to schedule things to suit themselves. My dr with my first convinced me to let him induce and it went horribly. I believe that the baby will come when it is ready My second came on her own-vaginally I might add-and weighed 10lbs, 15.7 oz. I had en epidural, but no problems. A friend was told her son was way too big 9+lbs and had c-section. He did not even weigh 8! It's easier for them to cut you open-and better pay-than sit on call and wait till time to deliver. My 3rd baby was an emergency c-section-placenta tore-so I know it happens. But especially with your first baby, don't put yourself through it unless it is necessary. It's hard enough to cope with a first baby without having to heal from surgery, too. My 4th was a scheduled c-section...hubby convinced me...but my dr was all for letting me try vaginal first. They cut about 4 inches acsoss right at the top of your pubic hair line. Scarring is minimal, but there is the chance that scar tissue could prevent vaginal delivery. Also, if your body has never underwent delivery, your chances of vaginal delivery after a c-section are less. That's what they told me. Your cervix may not be thinned because it may not be the right time yet. I know it's uncomfortable, but think of your baby. Give her as much time in the safety of your body as you can. She will come out when she is ready. And if you do have problems, you can get your c-section then. Good luck whatever you decide!!

[blueeyedtabbycat]

well good luck. I hope your induction goes smooth and quick!!! Im curious to know how much your little one really does weigh. U/s's are just a machines guess. They can be way off in either direction or right on. I hope you update us and tell us about it! Good luck!

[AKJD2209]

I am 38 weeks and 3 days, this is my first baby; her head is down and right in the birth canal; I'm at the point where I can barely walk because it feels like someone is breaking my bones, I'm honestly miserable. My doctor is very supportive of any decision I make, he said I could try but there is that chance, I think I'm going to tell him I want to do the induction and see how it goes; I just don't want to end up like my mom and be in labor for 3 days after being induced, then having to have a c section.

[blueeyedtabbycat]

Is this your first??? My last DD they told me she was HUGE my whole pregnancy. At 37 weeks I had my last u/s. They told me she was 9 lbs 11 or 12 ozs. I was scared shi**less!! I went into labor 2 days later at almost 38 weeks and had a healthy 7 lb 6 ozs daughter. U/s's can be wayyyy off.  How many weeks are you??? I would see how induction goes if they really want to do that. There is no way to predict how your cervix will do or if baby will fit before hand and if they tell you any diffrent they are lying. 100 years ago they didnt have u/s and woman pushed out large without being wheeled off into surgery:~) Emergencys do happen, so its always nice to be prepared though:~) Good luck!
Tabitha

[Dolphin05]

Wow thats is a very hard decision and im sorry you are put in this position. In my opinion i would try and deliver vaginally but try to prspare yourself for c-section if needed. I have had 2 boys both born vaginally. My mother had me at age 29 and i was her 2nd child weighing 9lbs 2oz so it is possible. As far as your cervix i really dont know what to tell you. I know for c-section they now cut you like a bakini bellow your belly button and it is possible to deliver vaginally later on, from what i hear. I wish you the best of luck.