Last baby 4.65kg, Worried about this one!

[peachy73]

I'd love to hear from anyone who's had a baby after previously having a very big one. I am due this Saturday and getting very nervous as a growth scan for this one at 37 weeks was showing it already at 8lb 7oz (I know they can be a pound out either way though - but what if its the wrong way?!)

My previous births went like this:

DD1, 41+4 3.5kg
DD2, 39+5 3.5kg
DD3, 41+2 4.65kg

They've also all been OP - and not turned so I've had very long back labours. All have been natural apart from had a forceps delivery with no 1. I've (eventually, with no 3 not until the 3rd stage - aarggh!) had epidurals all 3 times as have been unable to cope with the pain for such long times - not managed it in under 24 hours yet so am hoping for an improvement this time!)

Any stories that would set my mind at rest much appreciated!

[kidowner]

I knew my 4th was going to be big (all over 9lb I'm only 5'4'' and 10st when heavily pg, 8st normally)

Researched it, safest births for big babies on all fours, had mine at home, water birth in labour)

It was hard work as shoulders stuck a bit but after 5hrs (longer than birth 2 and 3)I was up and about and went for a walk next day, deliriously happy from all the endorphins!

Afterpains not so bad either, so best of luck! (He was 9st 6lbs)

[WhatFreshHellIsThis]

kidowner you had a 9st 6lb baby? Respect - even on all fours that must have been a struggle

Sorry, couldn't resist....

[kidowner]

my maths isn't good is it, ouch!
That makes the baby bigger than me
9lb6!

[doulalc]

My third was 9.9....had him 3 hours after I arrived at hospital. My fourth was 8 even....she took 10 hours....there is no rhymn or reason sometimes.

You know you can give birth to a good sized baby....as kidowner said, watch your positioning in labour and birth. Avoid being on your back if possible....walk, use a birth ball, hands and knees, lean up against the back of the bed, try side lunging to try and get baby to rotate. Epidurals, especially given early on, may effect baby's rotation....hold off as long as possible if you decide to have one this time around.

Watch your positioning now as well...suggested to avoid reclining positions....sit leaning more forward with pillows behind you for support, or sit in a a straight back chair turned around so that you are leaning forward against the back of it with legs over the sides.

[kidowner]

Yes lean forward!

Gravity helps

I'm excited for you. They called my last a chunky monkey 9lb 12 (no stitches)

[mrsmcdreamy]

DS1 was 41+3 and 9lbs 11oz - all fours was very comfortable position for the delivery, although I did need stitches because he appeared so quickly.

DS2 was on due date and 8lbs 6oz water birth.

My scans also predicted a bigger baby than DS1. I was beginning to panic but was taken by surprise!

Both births were super-quick though, so maybe gravity really does have an effect.

[Littlefish]

A good friend of mine had a 10lb 11oz baby naturally (water birth)! I believe she delivered him on all fours.

[liahgen]

dd1 9lb 18 days post dates
ds1 8lb week post dates
ds2 10lb due date
dd2 8lb 12 37 +4
dd3 9lb 5 37+ 3

all natural deliveries. Be interested to see if i get to term with next one, and how big it will be.

[Olihan]

I had 10lb 2oz Ds2 kneeling up and leaning forward over the head end of the bed.

Didn't have time for pain relief, bar some G&A, he was born 13 minutes after my waters went in about 4 pushes.

I tore slightly but only along the scar line from my tear with ds1 who was a ventouse delivery (same had happened with 8lb 4oz dd).

No one realised how big he was likely to be until he was born and the mw said 'wow, he's a big one'. She wasn't wrong .

It was the easiest recovery, physically as well, out of my 3 deliveries.