Birthing a whopper

[FranTan]

I need a bit of reassurance, please.

I went for a 36 week scan today due to polyhydramnios and was told that dc is already estimated to be 8 pounds 10! He will be my second (first was 8 pounds 10 but born on due date). My consultant said the plan is to examine me in 2 weeks time with a view to possible induction, due to the shoulder dystocia risk.

Thing is, I'm terrified. My first birth was traumatic (back-to-back, epidural, episitomy, foreceps, PND) and I really want to avoid all this this time round. I have been reading hyno birthing and wanted an active labour but i think this is looking less likely given what I've read about induction.

Part of me wants to beg for a planned c-section but I know my consultant is reluctant as I've given birth before.

I guess my question is, can a small framed person give birth easily to a big baby, without the horrors of my previous birth? You can probably tell I'm generally pretty anxious and would welcome any positive experiences.

Thanks

[chimchar]

I had a ten pounder...baby number 2. Easiest birth by a long shot...3 hours start to finish. other kids were 8 lbs and 8 lbs 7 and ranged from 26 hours to 8 hours labours.

Good luck!

[NoodieRoodie]

Nobody ever mentioned that DS would be big (9lb 7), it was a very very long labour BUT only had TENS and had a 6 hour discharge.

[mamaduckbone]

My ds2 was 11lb4 and born with no intervention. I am 5'5 and fairly small framed. Ds1 was only 8lb2 and although he was more straightforward than your dc1, I did end up with a lengthy ventouse delivery and episiotomy.
Luckily I had a very supportive midwife with ds2 who didn't actually tell me how big she thought he was going to be because she knew how desperately I wanted an active natural birth at a midwife led unit. (She said afterwards she predicted over 10lb but told me 9lb something.) I had no other problems in pregnancy.
So, it is possible, but you will probably have to be quite stubborn about what you want if you don't want to go down the road of induction and lots of medical intervention. If that is what you want. There is no reason why you should need a planned c-section I wouldn't think.

[tazzle22]

I am not small framed but DD2 was easiest birth at 10 lb 1 oz.....nothing other than gas'n'air ...... and a good dose of "breathing" aka form of self hypnosis ( MW thought I was asleep till I said it was nice to hear next door lady being told she had a little boy )

[tazzle22]

not small framed but am only 5'2"

[Cupboarddoor]

I'm not particularly small framed but have given birth to three whoppers (8lb8, 9lb10 and 9lb1) and the most difficult was definitely the first - the 2 9lb-ers were done with water birth with gas and air with no stitches

I'd be a bit cautious about believing scans for birth weights - my 8lb8 baby was predicted to be 10lb +... they are notoriously unreliable for predicting weights

[FranTan]

Oh thanks everyone, I think I just needed to hear that it's possible for it to not be hell. I'm feeling better already. Also, if I do go down the induction route, I guess I can still use my hyno-birthing techniques.

[5madthings]

My biggest was ds4 who was 10lb 13oz. His was the easiest birth, had him.in the birth pool only on labour for an hour and he had a massive head, off the top of the chart massive! Am sure being in the pool helped me stretch so i didnt tear its not that i have a bucket fanny

My first three were 8lb 7oz, 9lb 3oz , 9lb 7oz. i am 5 2 and generallly a size ten/twelve, size four feet.

Good luck :)

Oh i had an episiotomy with my ds1 but was fine with the next four.

[OhEmGee25]

Don't believe scans. I had one at 36 weeks which said dd at that point was 8lb 9oz...she was born at 42 weeks weighing 8lb 3oz

[didireallysaythat]

And a different view - my first was 9lb 9oz (2-3 weeks overdue) - induced, foreceps, third degree (which still gives me problems), TT, lactose sensitive, PND - I had it all. So I asked for and was happy to have an elective the second time around. I knew statistically I wasn't going to have such a large one again as they wouldn't let me go so overdue again, and I knew that having done it once I could do it again but my choice was an elective and I have absolutely no regrets. My midwives backed me up all the way and made me feel very secure in my choice.

[Moominsarescary]

Ds1 was 11lb 2, I did need forcepts but it wasn't an awful experiance at all.

[ornellaia]

I'm small framed and DS was 9lbs (10 days past due date), I managed with no pain relief and a 45 minute labour - it hurt obviously but certainly wasn't hell. Having a whopper was a surprise, DD had been 5 days past her due date and still only 6lbs 12oz.

[Flisspaps]

DS was 11lb 7oz. He was a forceps job in theatre after he ballsed up my second attempt at a nice calm hands off homebirth (DD - 8lb 2oz - was induction, forceps, 3a tear, PPH and MROP!) by not budging.

It was fine. Honestly, absolutely fine.

[Katienana]

Ds was 10lb 9.5oz. The labour was fine I could happily repeat the experience. The recovery has been less good due to infection but I think that could have been avoided had I been more on the ball with getting bathed in the days after he was born.
I was in pool for most of labour with gas and air but got out as his head kept slipping back, probably because he had his hand on his face. Delivered on my back in the end, tried everything else. Keep an open mind and try any position!

[FranTan]

Thanks everyone, good to hear positive experiences. Just had a midwife appointment who recounted similar births she has witnessed. It's the unknown, I guess. I'm just going to hope I go into labour in the next 2 weeks before I'm induced.

[EdsRedeemingQualities]

Late growth scans are absolutely notorious for being inaccurate - and not just somewhat, but wildly inaccurate

Please don't panic.

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

All 3 of my boys have been over 9lb. Ds1 was a section and ds2 & 3 were home waterbirths with no pain relief (the pool was enough). Ds3 was the biggest (11lb) and I only had grazes with both vaginal births.

Only 50% of shoulder dystocia cases are 'big' babies, therefore I believe it is all about good positioning (the babies and the mothers). Both of my vb's were active labours (no laying on my back - too painful). I was in the pool and on my knees.

You don't have to be induced if you don't want to you know. You do what you think is best for you and your baby. Scaremongering and shock tactics used by HCP are not fair, they should be giving you the facts (all of them) and then it is your decision

[javotte]

I gave birth to a 9lb baby 4 days ago with no pain relief, and it was the easiest of my 3 births. Like the previous poster, it was an active labour. I gave birth on all fours and DD was out with a single push.

[CJsMummy93]

My son was 4 weeks early and he weighed 10lbs 9 oz.
He was the easiest labour I have had, he was born within 4 minutes of getting to the hospital.
I'm a small girl, being 5'1, I was extremely shocked when I didn't need stitches after finding his weight!

[CJsMummy93]

Oh and it was all without pain relief, I didn't have time!!

[StarlightMcKenzie]

OMG!!!

OP did you know that induction INCREASES the risk of SD.

Ffs!

[StarlightMcKenzie]

I was being pressured due to baby measuring big on tape measure, to go for a scan but I refused. When asked why I replied because 'so what'? It is no more relevant wrt likely birth outcomes as whether I am having a boy or a girl.

And my research shows it is actually SAFER to have a SD risk baby at home than in hospital AND that the risk is less likely to be played out.

[steppemum]

dc1 was big baby, 10lbs 1oz with a huge head, nightmare delivery like yours

dc2 was 8lbs 7, piece of cake, natural delivery no pain relief

dc3 was a biggest baby, 10lbs 7oz, very straightforward, natural birth, no pain relief, was induced by breaking my waters and delivered 90 minutes later.

I think the size is a bit of a red herring, small babies can give you a difficult birth and large one scan be easy. Once you've done it once second and third babies are definitley easier

[steppemum]

oh and as others have said, I had active births, standing walking and giving birth standing up

[steppemum]

and dc1 and dc3 were late - 2 weeks late - and induced (but dc3 by breaking waters, not medical induction)