Is having a big baby a good reason for inducing labor or having a cesarean? Can you deliver a large baby without risk to the baby?
Though we all love chubby-cheeked babies, many women fear having to give birth to a large baby. It can be tempting to try to get the baby out before he/she gets too big. In fact, sometimes women may hear from their providers that the only way to make sure you have a vaginal birth is to induce labor before the baby gets too big.
Should I be induced if my baby is too big?
Unfortunately, we know that labor inductions are no guarantee that the baby will be born vaginally. In fact, inductions are more likely to result in a cesarean , especially when your body may not be ready for labor.
Even though it sounds reasonable to try to get the baby out before she gets too big, the Cochrane Review Board says that based on the available research findings, there is "no evidence of improved outcomes following induction of labour for women who are thought to be carrying large babies."
How can we know if the baby is too big?
One of the ways that baby's weight is estimated is by ultrasound. However, the measurements made on the baby are based on averages and do not represent the exact weight of the baby. Although sometimes the ultrasound estimates have been accurate, my doula clients have often discovered that the weight estimates made of their suspected large baby have been off by as much as a pound or more.
How big is too big?
There is no way to truly tell before labor how big your baby truly is OR how big a baby you could give birth to safely. Crazy as it sounds, small babies can get into positions that make it harder for them to come out, while large babies in an anterior position (face down) could easily navigate their way through the mother's pelvis! Take a look at what happens in labor that can help you give birth to your baby no mattter how big he is.
How do you and baby work together?
Did you know that your body is designed to accomodate even a large baby? During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin is secreted to loosen and soften your joints and ligaments. This can help your pelvis expand not only during pregnancy but during labor.
The baby's head has two softs spots, called fontanels, where the bony plates in his skull have not fused. These fontanels allow the bones to overlap and "mold" to the mother's body as it comes through the birth canal. These two mechanisms are important ways that mothers and babies work together during childbirth.
Certain positions will make more room for a big baby as well. Did you know that squatting can open your pelvis by as much as 30%? Squatting is a great position to use toward the end of your pushing to make room as the baby head is descending lower into your vagina and is just visible.
On a personal note, the largest baby I have helped come into the world was well over 11 pounds. The mother had two previous cesareans because of suspected "big babies" and lack of progress. This VBAC mother proves that even with circumstances against you, your body can still do it!
Tips for giving birth to a big baby:
Allow labor to begin on its own without being induced.
Use a variety of positions during labor and pushing.
Consider a squatting position if needed.
Ask for as much time in labor as possible, especially in pushing.
Consider the benefits of a natural birth since pushing is more effective and progress is better than if you use pain medication. Also pain meds can make it harder to get into certain positions such as squatting.
Get regular chiropractic adjustments so that your spine and pelvis are in alignment before you go into labor.
Practice your positioning and exercises during pregnancy so that your body is toned and has the stamina to stay in these positions, if needed, for 30 minutes or longer during labor.
Are you worried about your baby being too big? Tell us about it.
The copyright of the article Baby too Big? in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Brenda Lane. Permission to republish Baby too Big? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I totaly disagree with this...My 3rd baby was born 'too big' at 42weeks ,
after a 37 week growth scan predicted he would be 9lb max at birth. H e was
11lb 9oz born and it was a very difficult birth, resulting in shoulder
dystocia and being stuck for quite a while....which left me and him totaly
traumatised and baby ending up in Special Care Baby Unit......Had the
doctors and midwifes listened to me and my plees for an induction, i think
the situation could have been avoided. My 4th Baby was then induced at 38
weeks (only threw basically demanding it) and she was born after a problem
free birth at 8lb 6oz - had she been left another 4 weeks like her brother
I fear she could have been just as big and we could have experienced the
same problems. Im now 28+5 weeks pregnant with baby no.5 and again Im
mesuring big (39 weeks) and they are predicting another big baby....Yet I
still have a fight on my hands with doctors to induce me....even tho I have
been induced with every one of my babys anyway. Its ok for the docs
and midwifes to say hold on for a natural birt without induction, but who's
to say thats going to happen anyway ? Ive had 4 babies - all induced (first
3 down to getting to 42 weeks and baby still showing no signs of
arriving)and haven't had any assistance or a c-section. So my advice to
anyone having a LARGE baby is if you WANT an induction push for it !! Large
babies get stuck if there too large, resulting in all sorts of problems for
mother and baby!!
Aug 20, 2008 8:02 AM
Brenda Lane :
Perhaps we should add that the mother's instinct about her own abilities
should supercede those of a care provider pressuring her to induce or have
a Cesarean. In this case, an induction was right for you.
Brenda
Sep 4, 2008 7:46 AM
Guest
:
I have to add that my second baby was 10 lb 3 oz and I just knew he was
that big, but my doctor didn't believe me. I went to 40 weeks, then went
into labor and everything was fine until the pushing started and he got
stuck. I finally pushed so hard that I dislocated my pelvis and couldn't
walk for a month. I have chronic back pain from this. After finding out
the serious complications that could have happened to my baby, I was
furious. Thank God he came out with no problems. As for me...not so much.
I also need to add that I'm not a big person at all. My husband isn't
either. I didn't have diabetes or gain a bunch of weight. We were both
over 8 lbs at birth, so it's just genetic that our babies will be big. My
first was 8 lb 9 oz.
I'm pregnant with my third now. I have a
new doctor and she is going to start monitoring the baby at 36 weeks. I
will go to 39 weeks and either get induced or if the baby is measuring big
(which I'm sure will be the case) she'll schedule a C-Section.
I
just have to say that a C-Section would have been much better for me than
an injured pelvis. I can handle a scar, but I cannot handle chronic back
pain.
Sep 9, 2008 7:13 AM
Guest
:
I have just been for my 36wk scan and was told baby is very big an wil be
bigger dan my first which was 10lb 1oz.he says we will discuss it more at
my 38wk scan.Im worried dat if he suggust inducin me r a c section.I dont
no if id b better tryin it myself r if i sud agree wit his suggestions?Im
really confused an worried....I always imagined a nature birth but want 2
do wots best for baby...so confused....
Sep 12, 2008 2:25 PM
Guest
:
I don't feel alone now! Thanks! My first delivery was a nightmare. My
daughter got stuck in my birth canal when I delivered at 41 wks. They
practically ripped her out with a suction and tore part of my cervix along
with her. I had an emergency 2 hour surgery afterwards and 3 blood
transfusions. She was 8 lbs 10.7 oz w/ a rather large head! It was the most
terrifying experience of my life. I switched doctors for the birth of my
second daughter (of course!) and he induced me at 39 wks to help ensure the
baby didn't get as big as the first. She was born at 7 lbs 14.9 oz (w/ a
much smaller head) and delivery went very smoothly! I'm now pregnant with a
baby boy and just had my 36 wk ultrasound to determine the baby's weight.
He's already measuring at 8 lbs, with a head that's measuring that of a 39
wk old baby; so again, I'm looking at an even larger baby w/ another big
head!! I'm terrified. I've yet to speak with my doctor, I see him next week
to go over the results, but I sincerely hope I'm not left to try to deliver
him vaginally. An induction was already scheduled for 39 wks, but it's
obvious that won't help matters with my lil boy! I'm going to really push
for a c-section, I think, as much as having that scares me also; i'd rather
go through a c-section than to risk my life the way I did the first time
around!!
Sep 15, 2008 7:19 PM
Guest
:
I had a huge baby 10lbs 10oz. I had natural birth with the aid of epidural.
My water broke at 730 and he was born at 1124. I had no trouble and was
suprised at how easy it really was. I know I am lucky but he is just a huge
child. He was predicted to be only heavy 8lbs. How could they be so wrong?
Sep 28, 2008 1:51 PM
Guest
:
I am 21 yrs old and this is my firt pregnancy. I am now at 23wks, but on my
5 month visit to find that I was having a boy the doctor said that he was
already measuring at 1lb. I'm pretty sure that by now he weighs a lot more
than that, but since this is my fist baby I was just wonderin if I should
concerned about his wieght. I guess right now I could just say that I'm
nrevous, but I'm still concerned about the weight.So far I've had severe
back pains and really bad leg cramps and questioning whether it not might
be because of his size or is this just a normal painful part of being
pregnant.
Oct 2, 2008 8:24 AM
Guest
:
The whole issue for me is how well you understand labor and delivery and
how well you are in touch with your own physical-emotional body. Since most
women no longer attend many births before their own, and most have not
studied midwifery or taken courses in the anatomy and physiology of labor,
they don't understand the wide range of what is normal or possible or
inadvisable or risky or etc. I was sectioned for a 9lb. 7oz. baby, with the
excuse that she was too big for my pelvis. After educating myself, I
vaginally birthed a 10 lb. 14 oz. baby -- at home, no drugs, in a squatting
position. (And I am only 5'5", 125 lbs!) My labor was half as long as
in my previous two hospital births. I agree with everything in the article
-- but it is very scanty and much more information is necessary. Women --
read all you can, trust your bodies, and attend one another's births!
Reclaim the lost wisdom of women!
Oct 2, 2008 8:37 AM
Brenda Lane :
Maybe a second article is needed. We have a word limit on each of our
articles.
This is a topic I am passionate about since I have
seen MANY mothers have cesareans for a supposed "big" baby and
then go on to have even bigger babies vaginally without difficulty.
Oct 8, 2008 11:48 AM
Guest
:
I was sectioned at 37 weeks because I'm diabetic and my baby was thought to
be large. She was large for 37 weeks, but the was a good pound under the
ultrasound estimate. And to the previous poster who was concerned about her
baby measuring 1 pound at 5 months- that's a very normal weight- at 25
weeks my baby was measuring 1 pound 11 ounces which was right at the 50th
percentile. I was born at 9lb 1oz and my mom is no bigger than I am. I
really believe I could have birthed my daughter vaginally if given the
chance- I even had a favorable cervix for an induction but the doc didn't
even suggest it and I was barely 19 and didn't know any better. I am now
pregnant with baby #3 (#2 was a section b/c the first was a section and I
didn't know any better at the time), and I've done a lot of
reading/research since baby #2 and am hoping that I go into labor on my
own, but being a chronic type-1 diabetic it's very much a 'what-if' case,
meaning everything has to fall into place for it to work. But I have a good
support system in place and am hoping for the best- as long as no one tells
me I have to section my baby at 37 weeks when both myself and the baby are
perfectly healthy!
Oct 8, 2008 2:51 PM
Guest
:
I have two children. With my first I had Gestational Diabetes and
controlled it with a diet. I was told he would be about 10 lbs. He was 7lbs
8 oz. 2nd no problems 6lbs 10oz. I am now preg w/ baby #3 and am measuring
4 weeks ahead. I had to use fertility meds and ovulation tests so I know my
exact conception date. I had an US and they said my baby is about 1 1/2 lbs
more than normal and I am only 32 weeks so she has just begun to enter the
true growing stages. I found out I have insulin dep diabetes w/ this one
and I want to know when is the earliest they will induce before a c-section
becomes necessary. I had the first two natural and do not want a c-section.
I hear that 37 is about where they start but I think I may be past the
point of vag delivery by then. I can feel the baby getting bigger and with
the diabetes she will cont' to do so. I here a lot of horror stories from
moms of big babies and don't want to have my own story to tell. Any
suggestions or ideas?
Oct 10, 2008 11:10 AM
Guest
:
My wife is officially 31 weeks pregnant, but the latest scans show a baby
at 35 weeks and healthy. The date of her last due menstruation was 4th
March, and it is accurate. Her blood sugar levels are normal. We live in
Ecuador, I am European and have a fairly large family (height-wise) and my
wife ecuadorian, but of spanish and chinese origin and she too has fairly
tall family members. What could be happening? Our doctor suggests that the
due date for our little one for it's size is between 11 and 22 November 08.
The official 40 week date is 9th December... Should we wait for the full
term, or as our doctor suggests, have the baby early via cesarian
section...? Is there a health problem with the baby. Please, help us, we
feel caught in a crossfire of contradicting information..
Oct 10, 2008 11:37 AM
Brenda Lane :
I can understand your concerns to learn that your baby might be measuring 4
weeks larger than average. It is very hard to know exactly what direction
to go in when your doctor is suggesting a cesarean.
If your baby
truly is too big for your wife's pelvis, labor is often long and difficult.
If pushing does not bring your down, a cesarean can always be done at the
end of labor. Suggesting a cesarean before the mother has a trial of labor
seems unnecessary and even radical to some parents. Even though it is not
an uncommon recommendation by obstetricians who do a lot of cesareans.
Brenda
Oct 13, 2008 4:11 AM
Guest
:
hi everyone !!! I've just had a scan last week because i am 38 weeks and am
measuring 43. I only had this done because i have had bleeding and went to
hospital for a check up. Anyway that was all fine but they found that i
have polyhydraminos (excess amniotic fliud 11cm biggest pool) and that the
baby is already 9lb 10oz so i'm huge and it looks even worse as i'm quite
small anyway. I am worried as no one seem to be worried about this but i'm
also been told to try for a vbac and have to have continuious monitoring
and antibiotics during labour due to step b. Can anything else go wrong?
I've also been told i can see anyone for another 8 days as my consultant is
on holiday. Feel really drained now and fed up i wish that one of the
doctors or someone would have reassured me everything was ok or at least
give me some info as i tried to ring midwife and she's on holiday to.
Oct 26, 2008 7:09 PM
Guest
:
I am currently 37weeks4days pregnant,Sept.8,2008 I got diagnosed with
Gestastional Diabetes that require insulin in take 2x a day and diet
control,I have only gained 1 lbs this whole pregnancy and started off over
weight(189lbs),at 32wks(sept.17,2008)I had an ultrasound done and the babys
weight measurement was 5lbs5oz my doc had warned me that my son could
weight atleast 8lbs by the time of delivery,I am being induced at 38wks1day
next Thrusday,Oct.30th,this is my 6th pregnancy my other children(from
oldest to youngest)weighed 7lbs11oz(emergency c-section),6lbs12oz
v-bac,6lbs12oz v-bac,7lbs14oz v-bac,7lbs9oz v-bac, my doc is letting me
have another v-bac unless I need a c-section,my question is as a weight
estimate as of now how much would my baby weigh around this time
considering the weight from the last ultrasound, and I am 1.5cm dilated
60%effaced baby is at -2-3 station as of last doc vist last Tuesday, would
my baby still possiably be large and given an idea of what might happen
during a try at a v-bac of a possiably large baby? I have never had doubt
or fear with going in labor with my other children but I am frightend with
the upcoming birth of this baby considering having GD,told the baby will be
big and weigh atleast 8lbs.
Oct 30, 2008 8:46 PM
Guest
:
I am a very small person. When an ultrasound was done around 38 weeks, I
was told my baby would be 8.5 pounds by her due date. I really wanted a
vaginal birth, but the women's group of OBs that I was seeing pressured me
into agreeing to a c-section. I regret it. My baby was born with a broken
collar bone even with the c-section, and I believe my recovery led to a lot
of my baby blues. I'm not saying I would have been able to deliver my baby
vaginally with no problems, but I wish my OBs had been more open to letting
me attempt it. Now I'm torn as to what to do for the future. I'm open
to the idea of a VBAC, and for certain won't be going back to that women's
group, but I'm afraid of going through a long, exhausting trial of labor
just to end up wih an emergency c-section and an even rougher recovery.
Nov 6, 2008 6:49 AM
Guest
:
For all those worried about a big baby fear not! I gave birth naturally to
my 10lb 15 whopper with only gas and air and had no stitches. No one knew
he was going to be that big although I had a feeling the baby was going to
be big as i felt huge compared to my previous pregnancies. I am glad i
didnt know however as I would've worried. I still think that its worth
trying fo a natural birth rather than a c section as you recover so much
quicker. I wlked my eldest to school 23 hours after giving birth and would
do it again in a flash! Good luck everyone!
Nov 11, 2008 8:37 PM
Guest
:
i'm so nervous i'm 38 weeks and measuring 43 weeks but this has been going
on with me measuring big for the past 5 visits, now my docs are concerned
they think either the baby is to big or i have alot of aminotic fluid or
i'm due earlier. they have no idea so they are sending me in for an
ultrasound tomorrow morning i'm so nervous my docs are midwifes and they
don't like to induce but serioulsy if this baby is big i will defintly push
to be induced i was induced with pitocin with my first daughter at 37 weeks
because my water broke. so i'm really not sure. i have been telling them i
think the baby is big finally they agreed. i just want this pregnancy to be
over so i hope i can be induced i really don't want a c-section so i hope
she isn't huge at birth.
Nov 26, 2008 6:55 PM
Guest
:
I was induced this my first and she ended up being 5lb. 15. oz. My son was
another story. I gained only 14 pounds and they induced again because I
have high blood pressure problems. After pushing for a while the Dr.
decided on an emergency c-section. Everything went fine and he was 8lb.
6oz. The Dr. said he was facing the right way but his head was tilted up
and there was no way he was coming out the normal way. He also said I
couldn't have babies that big. I went to the Dr. again today because I am
12 weeks pregnant and he told me that if I wanted to to a vaginal birth we
couldn't let the baby get any bigger then 7lbs. or we will have to do a
c-section. I am not that big of a person either.
Dec 9, 2008 1:51 PM
Guest
:
i am 35.3 weeks pregnant and just found out my baby is getting big quick 2
weeks ago he was only 5.3lbs now he is almost 8lbs my daughter was only
6lbs 9oz and she was 5 days late i keep telling the dr that their dates are
off but in the office they say maybe maybe not. At the hospital they are
saying this babies dates are about 2weeks off because of his measurements i
am getting a little anxious yet frustrated i want a healthy baby but i am
scared that he is going to be to big for a natural birth and i have been
such high risk anyway any truely want to avoid a c-section..i have had my
labor stopped 2 times already but today they say they will not stop anymore
this is what happened with my daughter and thats what we believe made her
late if history repeats itself then im in for one painful delivery and a
big baby.
Dec 10, 2008 12:12 PM
Guest
:
While after reading some of the comments, yes there are going to be a few
instances where a child "may" be too large for a mother's pelvis
it is few and far between normal circumstances though and Most people
should not worry about it. 8lbs may be nothing for most mothers where yes
for that one person it could be a problem, but I don't think people need to
be worrying so much that you would plan an induction or c-sec just because
the baby "MIGHT" be big. Also those measuring big, or those
ultrasounds that estimate/measure the baby can be SOOOOOOO far off it is
rarely accurate. It can be off by several pounds, we aren't just talking
ounces. So they may say, oh your baby looks about 11 lbs and it could just
as well end up being 7 lbs, or vice versa. There really is just no absolute
way to judge how big or small your baby is going to be, until they are
born. I find it ALARMING that doctors don't instruct patients on how
INACCURATE those readings truly are and that you shouldn't put too much
hope into those statistics. I agree with another poster, learn about how
birth REALLY happens, how the baby actually travels through the birth
canal, what all the stages of labor are and what they DO for your body/the
baby etc...And you will have a much more productive birth.
Jan 7, 2009 3:46 AM
Guest
:
I had a scan at 36 weeks which said the baby was about 7lb 15oz give or
take a lb, I was told that if the baby had not been born by 39 weeks i
would have to go on the high risk labour ward to give birth when the baby
did arive, no suggestion of being induced. well any way 2 days after my 36
week scan my waters broke and after a 2 and a half hour labour my baby boy
was born weighing in at 10lb 3oz, i just dread to think how big he could
have been if i went another 4 weeks, this has put me off having another
baby because the doctors don't know what they are talking about
Jan 19, 2009 5:38 AM
Guest
:
I have four chiuldren and all were big babies ranging from 9lbs 7oz for the
first to 11lbs 5oz for number four. I gave birth naturally to all and had
no pain relief or stitches. I'm now 31weeks pregnant with number 5. I'm
not a big person, only 5ft 5ins. But i do have size 42 feet. I've heard
some people say the size of your feet relates to the size of your
pelvis.
Jan 20, 2009 4:25 PM
Guest
:
My son, now 4 months old, was 10 pounds 6 ounces at birth. I was
completely prepared for this but it surprised my doctor. My mom gave birth
to 2 9 pound plus babies (naturally) and my husband was nearly 9 pounds.
Having heard my mom's birthing stories, I expected to have a big baby and I
knew I wanted to do it naturally. I took Bradley Method classes to prepare
and I had the fortunate opportunity to assist in several deliveries during
my pregnancy. I did have to switch OB's at 28 weeks, with my first OB I
had ultrasounds everytime and baby looked big. My 2nd OB was in a
different type of practice and so I didn't get ultrasounds and although he
had my records I don't think he noted baby's size. I talked to him about
my plans for a natural birth and I refused the routine induction offer and
he was ok with that. At 39 weeks he finally noted the large size and
ordered his own ultrasound which predicted 9.5-10 pounds. We discussed
induction or not, risks and benefits and although I was anti-induction we
decided to proceed. Fortunately, my labor was easy and I made it all
natural (except the induction). Baby didn't get stuck and I only had to
push through 4-5 contractions and I survived with only a 2nd degree tear.
I was determined to have a vaginal birth and very lucky to have it without
complications. My cervix had dilated to 4.5cm before the induction so I
had an advantage. Two friends of mine that went in for "routine"
inductions ended up with c-sections and 6-7pound babies - thus one reason I
did not want to induce. Be your own advocate - if you want natural
labor do your homework and preparation but realize things happen and your
OB my need to get involved more. My opinion - modern medicine is a
blessing and a curse. ~future physician
Feb 9, 2009 5:02 AM
Guest
:
My first baby was 10lb5oz and 2 weeks overdue, i was induced and it took 4
days to get into labour, i was given an epidural which was great 6 hours
later tilly was born. when i got pregnant for the second time i was
terrified of the experience of being induced and all the pain i went
through my consultant gave me the ok for a c-section as tilly was so big
and i was getting concerned about it even though the scan showed that
second baby would only be about 8lbs, anyway the day before c-section was
due i cancelled it! I was allowed to be induced early, at 41 weeks, i
stayed calm and had an epidural early on and toby was born after 3 hours a
very healthy 10lbs 13ozs. I have been very lucky with both births as i
didnt need stitches, i put it down to years of riding horses! I am just
wondering what size baby no. 3 will be when we decide the times right for
another baby! I will just add that Tilly and Toby have been fab babies and
have slept through the night since 3 weeks old, which i put down to them
being big babies.
Feb 13, 2009 7:54 PM
Guest
:
TRIAL of labor is a perfect term.
Why labor for 20 hours and be
completely worn out and THEN have surgery?!?!?!!!
Mar 2, 2009 1:57 AM
Guest
:
wow, you are all scaring me. im 38 wks and ever since i was 35 wks they
told me my baby was in the 89 percentile. which i guess means i have a big
baby. 8lbs already and 5 wks to go. like i said im 38 now and have toxemia,
anemia, high blood pressure tilted uterus, and a BIG BABY! and they still
wont induce me. i have 3 other children and they were all full 40 wks and
6lbs. im terrified of what will come. they want me to try vaginal first and
if that doesnt work then i have to have a c-section. im wondering if i
should just demand a c-section anyways. Im scared.
Mar 2, 2009 2:31 PM
Guest
:
and I thought I was having a big baby! My first son came out quickly at 37
weeks and6lbs 6ozs. 14 yrs later I had my second child who was 7lbs 8ozs.
She got stuck and barely made it out, I had tons of stiches and she was
examined for a broken clavical, it was pretty crazy. Now i am 33 wks and
measuring in the 65% range. My doctor wants to give me dexamethasone at 35
weeks and at 37 weeks do and amnio and check the babies lung maturity, if
it is ok - induce? What do you guys think?
Mar 9, 2009 9:31 AM
Guest
:
If it says baby's lungs are mature at 37 weeks, I might still wait until at
least 38 wks to induce. I'd be afraid of jaundice and I don't think the
extra week will make or break you.
Mar 13, 2009 2:55 AM
Guest
:
I am a bit worried I have found reading all these comments quite good. I
am 35+4 weeks pregnant with our first baby I have had a lot of swelling so
went for tests at the hospital on tuesday (exactly 35 weeks) all is fine
although the ultrasound showed a big baby I am on th 95th centile and they
estimate between 8lbs and 9lba I have put on tons of weight pre pregnancy I
was only 110lbs and 5'2" and now I am about 185lbs I do have a lot of
water retention I am measuring 43 weeks I was only 7lbs and my husband only
6lbs at birth so I am terrified at this big baby especially being the first
- don't know what to expect I do want a natural birth and have read loads
of things but nothing prepared me for the fact it waould be a big baby
HELP!!
Apr 12, 2009 8:00 AM
Guest
:
I think the best thing is to keep an open mind. If you get your mind set
that you will only go one way, then you can set yourself up for a
disappointing experience. I wanted to go natural. I went into labor a week
before dd due date. I labored over 20 hours. She would not come down. It
ended in a c-section. She was 8lbs 10oz and had a LARGE head (thanks
daddy!) Also, my pelvic structure if a bit funny, it is turned in and
wouldn't fully turn out. I knew this could be problem from the time I was
16 years old. I am now 37 weeks pregnant. Day after tomorrow I am having an
ultra sound because doc thinks baby could already be 10lbs. There is a
danger he is running out of room and could go into distress. Depending on
the ultra sound, they may move my already scheduled c-section up. In
the end, whether you have a vaginal or c-section birth, you win you get the
baby. What is right for one woman is not right for another. Although birth
is important I think it can be like the bride who puts all of her attention
on the wedding and not on the marriage. The birth is the means to the end
of your becoming a mommy. I think it is sad that women do not support
each other better than this. I have had women tell me I am a wimp for
having a c-section. Doesn't seem to matter that either my dd or I could
have died, nope I am a failure as a women for not having a vaginal birth.
Isn't that just silly? I really think it is. My advice, listen to
your instincts and your doctor to decide what to do. Understand in the end,
getting a healthy baby is what it is all about.
Jun 1, 2009 9:46 PM
Guest
:
My first baby was born at 41 weeks and he was 9lbs8oz. I had a natural
childbirth, no drugs, no hospital with a midwife. He was a shoulder
dystocia and he did not want to breath at first. He was rushed to the
hospital without me & it was the worst & best day of my life. He is
a healthy & happy 3 year old. I am pregnant with my 2nd baby and she is
measuring large and they are guessing she will be over 10lbs by her due
date.This time I am not meassing around. Although I want a natural
childbirth, I am not putting my baby through that experience. I am choosing
to be induced when they think she is almost 9lbs. Also this time I will be
in a hospital incase something bad happens.
Jun 4, 2009 12:37 PM
Guest
:
I am expecting my 3rd baby, due on 26 June. My first two boys were 10lbs
8oz and 11lbs 7 oz respectively. Both were late and natural deliveries, no
drugs, just gas and air with the second. I am not overweight, nor do I
have gestational diabetes!! I really recommend trying for a natural birth,
i recovered very quickly both times and left hospital the next day with
each of them. This baby is a little more problematic.. He is
measuring 10lbs 3oz already at the scan we had today (36wk + 6 days) and my
placenta is quite low, about 2.4cm or 1" from the cervical opening
(os). I have nevertheless persuaded my consultant to let me try for a
natural delivery in hospital and have also asked to be induced at 39 weeks.
This is not because I am worried about giving birth to a large baby, but
because the last few weeks of pregnancy are so uncomfortable - I really
feel disabled because of the weight in front, fluid retention in legs and
hands and general fatigue. Does anyone have a similar situation, or could
comment?
