Baby Measuring 10 pounds 8 ounces at 38 weeks...What should I do???

[MissLisa82]

My doctors have been concerned about my baby measuring big for a few weeks, always measuring 3-4 weeks ahead based on using the tape measure on the outside of my abdomen.  They had me get an ultrasound yesterday, I am 38 weeks and the baby is estimated to be 10 pounds 8 ounces.  They are worried that the baby cannot be delivered naturally because the head and shoulders are too big.  This is my first baby and I do not want a c-section but my doctor is making it sound like I will have to have one.  I don't even know how my baby got so big.  I was overweight before pregnancy but I have only gained 14 pounds this entire pregnancy and this baby is supposed to be over 10 pounds, that just doesn't seem right.  I was wondering is they could induce me now so the baby doesn't get any bigger but I don't know if there really is a huge risk with my baby being so big?  I am really scared now and just don't know what to do.  I really really do not want a c-section unless it is truly what is best for the baby.  I hear women deliver babies this big naturally all the time, right?

Any advice or similiar stories would be greatly appreciated.

[Ezkg]

If you trust your dr, please listen to his/her advice. I had two Drs tell me c section would be safer due to size. I was disappointed and felt very guilty at first... I thought surely natural is best. Just about every forum furthers that sentiment. but then I heard my mums story where both of us neatly died because I was too big for her, now that was 30 years ago, but then a few months ago a friend nearly lost her baby as it went without oxygen - again too big. They have spent the first months of the babies life distraught with fear of brain damage. That's 2 of many stories.. Yes other ppl give birth to big babies, but that's irrelevant- it's about your body shape and your baby. That's why it's important to have a dr you trust for their advice on your situation. I had a beautiful baby born safely through c section so I may be biased... But I'd hate for you to feel guilty about whatever way you have to go.  Good luck!

[diamondintherough79]

My last baby ( a year old) was just a few ounces shy of 10 lbs. I only pushed for about 5 minutes. She was my 3rd baby but mind you there is 12 years between her and my then youngest. We weren't expecting her to be quite that big. None the less, its quite possible for a normal vaginal delivery.
I also want to add that I did not rip or tear or have an episiotomy done, I have some abraisions but thats all.

[JoyRenee]

Lisa, I found this great article:
http://www.pregnancybirthandbabies.com/Big_baby.htm

While it clearly states it is not offering medical advice I think it's a starting off point for doing some serious research on "big baby" birth and it pretty much echoes my own personal feelings on the subject.

Also I can only reiterate what others have said here and that would be that sonograms are NOT accurate in the third trimester for predicting baby weight. If you try to take measurements of an adult, curled up in a corner of a pool and then add small waves to the water you would not get a clear measurement of how much that adult weighs. The same is true for baby in utero.

[HeatherLF16]

I was told the same thing that my baby was estimating huge and would most likely need a csection.  My water broke at 38 weeks, so I had to be induced.  I fully dialated and pushed for 3 hours and my baby wouldn't come down his head was getting strained.  I had to have a csection anyway.  My son was 8lbs 3 ozs, so I am sure if I went to 40+ weeks he would have been as big as they were estimating (10+lbs).  I say it doesn't hurt to tell them you want to try to deliver him vaginally, and it is very obvious during delivery if it's going to work out or not.  :)  Good luck!

[sepears1]

Women in our family have given birth vaginally to 10 and 11 lb babies with no problems

[Ashelen]

I was induced for medical reasons about 4 days before his due date, so he was pretty much full-term (born at 39 1/2 wks). If he had gone to 42wks he would've only been about 8 1/2-9 lbs, which is big but not unreasonable :-).