Big Baby birth story's.. positive or negative welcome

Not me, but two friends have had big babies.

Friend 1: First over 10lb, second over 9lb. Both straightforward natural births at 40-41 weeks, no induction. She was a big baby herself apparently. She's very fit and slim.

Friend 2: Baby measuring big at a 38wk scan and movements were reduced so she was induced. Ended up as straightforward C-section. Baby was 'only' around 8.5lb. No GD.

All now healthy children. And both mums doing well.

I hope it goes smoothly and all goes well.

I'm another tiny person (very short & teeny hips) that has babies over 10lb with no issues. I can totally understand why you have requested c-section.

Curious to know how big your little one is on arrival. Mine were incredibly long/tall rather than big heads/frames. The trousers on the 2 part outfit were only just below her knees, the newborn sleepsuits were too small. I was told my baby wasn't big 👀

@anonny55 haha it’s the best isn’t it!! Being tired from a few nights in hospital is definitely a factor to consider. I had two nights of contractions when I couldn’t sleep much and was definitely done after that (hence opting for c section on day three) but honestly you’re so excited to have a baby that you’re running on adrenaline and just buzzing for the first week anyway so I didn’t find that my two restless nights were an issue.

I guess it depends on your hospital but for ours the birth partners were allowed 24/7? I actually sent mine home overnight as thought no point both of us being exhausted by the time baby arrived, but some women had their partners there overnight (snoring away I might add 😑😑). We live very close to hospital though so he could get back within 30 minutes and had phone on loud overnight.

Totally your choice and probably depends very much on the hospital you’re in, but I quite enjoyed my stay - was reassuring to have all the checks and know baby and me being monitored. I treated the whole thing like a long haul flight - eye mask, ear plugs, hand cream, comfy clothes, face wipes, snacks etc.

Sweeps sounds like a good idea! If you do go for C section make sure you have amazing support at home for at least two weeks - my DH had to prop up my pillows for me, run around doing absolutely everything for me except hold and feed baby, and I think I had a pretty good recovery compared to some!

I am also now booking postnatal osteopath and scar massage to reduce overhang etc so that is something to factor in as well.

Hello OP, I know you’ve booked your ELCS but just wanted to add my two cents, you could always start an induction and then just opt for a c section if it’s not progressing. They won’t force you to continue with an induction. I had an elective induction at 39 weeks and found it completely fine, I contracted well but unfortunately didn’t dilate, after 2 nights of the various hormones I asked for C section and was in theatre within the hour, all very calm and I’m happy I gave vag birth a go. A friend of mine was induced same date and dilated well and had her baby by vaginal delivery on the same day as my section. She said it was very intense towards the end but no regrets!

I have always been very pro c section but recovery really is no joke! Inductions aren’t always terrible - have a look at the Arrive study and the Melbourne university articles. But crucially, starting an induction doesn’t mean you have to see it all the way through! You can start and play it by ear and tap out at any time.

I had my 2nd in a birthing centre in the pool no drugs, no stitches, no intervention despite being back to back & 10lb7 . Far easier birth than DC1 who was 8lb3. Both children 2 weeks overdue and measured normal size.

I was induced 5 days early due to concerns my baby was so big and he was wait for it... a whopping oh... 6lb 1oz.
They don't always get it right.

My second was 10lb 11oz. The interesting thing is that it wasn’t picked up in any scans and my bump measured spot on throughout. Only when he came out did we realise how big he was! He was born 40+3, natural, no issues for him or me.

I've had 4 big babies.

DS was one week late and weighed 10lb 9oz. He was born at home on the living room floor, with gas and air. Absolutely straight forward pregnancy and planned homebirth.

DD was 2 days late and weighed 10lb 8oz. She again was a straight forward pregnancy and a planned homebirth, she was also born on the living room floor with gas and air.

DS was a week late, he weighed 10lb 7oz. He was a hospital birth. Was a planned homebirth but I had that mother's instinct to get to hospital either him. Turns out he needed his airways cleared when born as he passed meconium in the womb. He arrived 15 minutes after getting to hospital and I was back home again 3 hours post birth. Just gas and air.

DD was 10lb 2. I was encouraged to be induced early with her due to her size. I argued I had had multiple big babies and had no trouble with them. But it was heavily encouraged. I eventually caved and agreed to be induced early, at 38 weeks. I had a failed induction which ended in a c-section and 38 +2. My first C-Section after 7 natural births that ranged in birth weighs from 7lb 10oz to 10lb 9oz.

Thankfully my baby days are done but if I was to have another. I'd refuse induction based on babies size and wait to go naturally or have an elective c-section.

Best of luck op and congratulations

Well, recovery following venouse (and episiotomy) was no picnic either. Just took longer with the c section. But my c section was more complicated than some, as my baby was not only enormous but also breech and in an 'inconvenient' position. If I had a third baby (never again), based on my two experiences of large babies, I would definitely go for a c section. I'm still somewhat traumatised about my first birth to be honest (I don't say that lightly). Everyone is different though and I was warned of many risks that come with a c section too, so if something had gone wrong in that birth, I guess my opinion would be very different. I did feel there was far too much pressure on me by HCPs to have a 'natural' birth though, possibly at the expense of what was best doe me/my baby.

I had two at about 9.5lbs, both by section. First was a very calm EMCS after a failed induction, second a slightly complicated ELCS as she was transverse. Both recoveries were straightforward, just take your time, take your painkillers and gently step up your activity levels. Be grand.

Second baby measured bang on average before birth (I don't know why, I was blooming massive!) but it turned out he was 10lb 4oz. Obviously as there was no expectation of a big baby there was no pre-birth panic so I had the home water birth as planned. He definitely took more active pushing than my first (she was 6lb 12oz, my body pushed without me!) but it was still a good birth - from first twinge to delivery of placenta was 5 hours and no tearing or stitches needed. On the sofa with a bacon sandwich with baby feeding happily 20 minutes later.

I would avoid induction and either ask to be left to go when you're ready, or have a planned c-section, if I were in your place. Good luck x

I wish I had a c section for my first baby (9 lbs 10). His head got stuck. They had to use ventouse and it left him with a neck injury and two years or physio. He's also autistic and we've had a terrible time trying to work out if he sustained brain damage from his birth (we now don't think he did). Obviously there are big risks with c sections too and it's easy with hindsight but you never know what will happen either way. My second child was born by c section and that was a million times better (though recovery was far more unpleasant for me!).

I was induced due to size and it was fine. Not my first which may have helped.

I was told DD was over 13lb - when she arrived the next day she was 7lb 1/2oz. Try not to panic they're not always accurate

My friend had her DD last Sunday and was told over 4lb and she was 2lb 1oz

Been offered early induction due to size - I queried about having an elective section instead and was met with a consultant who basically said don't be pathetic you can birth a big baby there's just more chance of complications , he wouldn't sign me off for one he would only accept induction

This is not ok. Your birth your choice. My DC2 was measuring big (me and DH in particular are tall so not hugely surprising!) and I was offered both and decided on a section. Best decision I made and I was totally at peace with it. DC2 was pretty much 10lb.

Even if baby isn’t measuring big you’re allowed to request a section as maternal choice. If you want one then ask to see another consultant.

I wouldn’t include for a big baby. You want your body to do as much work as possible getting the baby into the best position for delivery.

I have a friend who recently had her 10lb baby at home in a birth pool as planned. He was her first. It certainly can be done!

I was told big baby, estimated at minimum 9.5lbs. Don’t buy newborn clothes etc, she arrived at 40+6 weeks, weight 7lb2