Advice on a big baby

[lushlivvy]

I am currently 32 weeks pregnant with my second child. My first baby was born vaginally, weighing 9lb 14 ozs. I had a nightmare delivery, I had to have a front to back episiotomy, as her shoulder was stuck behind my pelvic bone. She also had shoulder dystocia and had to have physiotherpy for the first four months of her little life. She is fine now and wouldn't know any different, but am really concerned for my next delivery. It also took me round 4 months to recover from her delivery, emotionally and physically.
Docotors have said they will induce me the baby is measuring too big (baby is already weighing at 4lbs) but they are considering letting me go full term if he is measuring normal at 36 weeks. However I am scared that if they let me go full term, they are going to let me go through 10-15 hours of labour, just to tell me that they are going to do a c-setion anyway. I am petrified at the thought of having a c-section, so would like to avoid at all costs! Should I put my foot down and demand an induction at 37 weeks or just elect for a c-section before I even go into labour - please help!!!!!!

[worriedmummy5]

HI. I just posted a similar query under 'worriedmummy5' and found your query. I totally understand what you are going through, if you read my post above you'll know why. You SHOULD NOT be made to go to full term - macrosomic (big babies) babies are a nightmare and it's not just about delivering a big baby that may get stuck but there are other complications such as haemorrhaging etc involved - the shoulder dystocia you know about!!
Are you having growth scans to keep an eye on baby's weight and size?? My one at 31 weeks showed baby to be 2.5kgs which is a bit over 5lbs (if my calculations are correct??)
I don't know how you feel about a caesar but why be made to go through all that when it's just a matter of delivering a week or two earlier by induction to ensure bub is not too big???? Stick by your guns and do what you think is best - you know your body - but don't take any risks.
Are you diabetic or gestational diabetic?
let me know how you get on.
all the best,
worriedmummy5

[BLS1971]

Hi there

I can certainly understand your fear about delivering another very large baby. Doctors don't like to deal with shoulder distocia, and they will do as much as they can to avoid it. That being said, they cannot (in most cases) induce at 37 weeks. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recently changed their position on early induction and no longer recommend it earlier than 39 weeks. Your case may be reason for moving that timeline up, but I wouldn't know.

In my case, the doctors were very concerned that my son would be a very large baby (particularly his head) and kept a close eye on me with ultrasounds in my third trimester. As it turns out, he was a normal size (6 lbs 15 oz) and came on his own at 38 weeks! So much for the huge baby they predicted.  :)

My suspicion (although I have absolutely no medical training, mind you) is that you will be delivered early or have a cesarean. You can always seek a second opinion about your concerns. Perhaps your OB's style doesn't gel with your needs; only you can determine that.

In any case, best wishes for a nice, calm, normal delivery and a healthy baby!
Bonnie

[Fugitive06]

Perhaps you can look into natural methods of induction.  Artificial induction may place you at I higher risk of a c-section.

[momof8215]

Hi! I too have had large babies! My first was when I was 18yrs old...she weighed 10lbs 2 1/2 oz. They had to break her collar bone because she was stuck and my second at age 20 was 11lbs. I had to get cut deep and ended up with 150 stitches to avoid them doing the same thing with him.  When I was going to have the 3rd they made me go 3 weeks early. I'm glad I did because he was 8lbs even at 37weeks. Pam is right, each one is different but in my experience, the earlier to ensure a vaginal delivery is always my option. My second was 2 weeks late and weighed that. Had he been born on his due date or even a little earlier he would have been bigger. They baby loses weight after the due day because the placenta starts to deteriorate. If you don't mind being induced over having a c-section, I would talk to your doctor. As long as the baby checks out ok with lung development at 37 weeks, I would do the induction. That's my personal opinion. I am trying to conceive myself now and if I do succeed, I know that my child will be here at 37 weeks. Best of luck to you for a smaller baby...lol!

[PamelaBee]

I would wait and see what happens as the weeks pass.  Try to go to full term...as you know, big babies can be born vaginally and without incident.  I completely understand your concern based on your experience with your first baby, and chances are you may not expereince the same as with your first.  No one wants to have a csec if it can be avoided...but I necessarily wouldn't opt to induce either.  Remember, alot of times the weight is off with u/s later in pregnancy.  My OB thought my baby girl was going to be way over 8lbs, she was born 7lb 5oz.  Unfortunately, you have to let nature do it's thing and wait and see...wish I could be more help!  Pls keep us posted on your progress.