to request elective section for large baby

[Miriama]

Currently 9 days overdue and grown massively over last week, indications from growth scan, and measurements is that baby is 11lbs, and I'm an older first time mum. Terrified of trying to birth such a large baby and have an appointment with consultant to discuss section. Any advice on how to make my case for a section?

Oh well, that makes complete sense.

Will you come back on here and let us know what you had? I mean, a baby obviously but sex and weight?

Wouldn't it be funny if the baby was 6lb 1oz and the rest was water?!
I know that wont happen to you given all your history but I bet that happens sometimes.

Yes will definitely come back and let you know. Assuming I deliver a baby not an elephant - will let you know what the outcome is. At this stage I couldn't care less what size she ends up being, so long as she is healthy and we both survive and thrive.

YourMa that sounds horrific. You should ask your GP if he can refer you for some counselling.

I had an elective section with ds3 (emergency sections with ds1 and ds2) at 9:30 in the morning and I was up and wandering about in the evening. I had a very easy recovery from all three but the elective one was much more chilled.

Good luck Miriama!

Absolutely push for a section if you want one. It's your body and your baby.
I pushed for one for mental health reasons and never regretted it.
But I am a fan of planned csections, so I'm biased.
Good luck

Just seen the update so now I'm free to say...

Planned sections are BRILLIANT so congratulations and enjoy. Careful when you go for a shower afterwards. Do it when your dh is around cos you can be a bit wobbly.

Right then. If you are having a planned section then I can't tell you how much I recommend arnica, keeping on top of your painkillers, sports bottles, moving around as quickly as you can but also taking it easy, swaddle blankets and also a pillow to feed on. Had not after very similar experience with first birth to yourmanobra and was the best thing I have ever ever done.

good luck with everything's xxxxx

Buy big pants so they come up over your belly and don't rub the scar. Get peppermint tea for the cramps (your bowels go into spasm and you can't poo and it hurts but peppermint helps).

Yes yes big pants and peppermint for sure. I am excited for you.

moving round as quickly as you can

Again no experience or knowledge of c-section, why is this? For any other operation resting and healing is advised Id have thought? Cant you seize up?

YourMa thats terrible. Really I cannot even fathom that. I have a friend who had a similar experience with a VBAC and she wants a 3rd child and has been frightfully put off the idea.
Childbirth, its such an unknown entity.

*can you seize up, that should have said. I know that can happen if you don't keep moving but figured that was muscles and joints

YourMa - I really hope that someone can help you to get over your experience. The hospital can review your notes with you if you wanted or I'm sure you could have some counselling? I expect you've already done or thought about these options as it was a little while back. I mean this in the nicest way - your post was very graphic considering the OP was a worried first time mum. I know not all births are positive but you really did have a terrible time of it. I'm pleased the eventual outcome was a positive one and hope that the memory and feeling of fear fades.

Namechange and Spiders thanks for advice. I'd stocked up on arnica after some previous advice. In massive granny pants and have been for ages...! Need to get some loose fitting trousers I think, grown out of maternity jeans etc. ages ago... I'd just like to thank everyone for sharing their experiences. It is touching that so many people took time out to reassure me. I really appreciate it.

Fantastic great news

Brilliant!

My ELCS was a very positive, lovely experience. Everyone was laughing and joking and chatting and it was relaxed and just great!

Along with the big pants and loose trousers and keeping up on painkillers I would really recommend either a change table or cot top changer if you haven't already got them. I was pretty mobile quite quickly but bending down to change a baby was very uncomfy so something at waist height was ideal.

Oh and something to help with trapped wind afterwards!

All the luck in the world, can't wait to hear the news!

Fantastic news OP, will be thinking of you next Tuesday!

Post section try and stand up straight to move around. It will probably go against everything your body is telling you to do but it's more comfortable once you get upright, honestly! I was advised this after my second section and I looked at the midwife who suggested it like she had lost her mind she was right though

Mirama

Thank goodness you have been spared a heroic labour, thank goodness.

An ELC is a truly wonderful way to bring a baby into this world.

Can i recomend this cot,

www.mumsnet.com/reviews/nursery/cots-cribs-cotbeds/9963-arms-reach-universal-co-sleeper-bedside-cot

I got one from local ads for about 70 pounds and with two children it was the best money I have ever spent. moses crap and you do not want to be sitting up and getting back down all night after a section.

this cot means less disturbed sleep for you and baby and baby happy as so close to you but you can also sleep properly as no fear of squashing or suffocating baby.

also a v pillow was in valuable as in hosp, you can lay baby on you to change him/her, tuck baby into it and both sleep without fear of movement ( in hosp) and also rest baby to feed on it protecting scr

good luck.....

I'm so glad your consultant has agreed. No experience personally, I delivered a 5lb-er at 37 weeks very quickly, but I work with babies and cared for a lot of big 'uns. Many make it out without issue, a significant minority have problems.

Looking forward to hearing the real weight when baby arrives!

ds2 was 10 10oz, it was in my notes that he was a big baby and I even had a late scan as they thought I might have too much amniotic fluid. Noone mentined c section so I had a natural delivery. 3rd degree tear and shoulder dystocia. Thank god that my baby was absolutely fine and I made a great recovery too with no problems down there whatsoever, but it was traumatic. I had an elective c section with dd3, even though she was 7lbs, there was no way I was going through that again. Good luck with your c section!

YourMa - I've just clamped my legs firmly together. Owwwwch!

OP glad your consultant has been helpful. You seem very calm.

YANBU if that is what you want, BUT the scans that give you the weight are in my experience WAY off, and I've been told they can be off by a pound either way at least. It is not an exact science. Also do you want to be lifting an 11 pound baby after major surgery?

I had posterior ds who was 10+ with no drugs vaginally. Cervix doesn't tend to "get ready" as early with first time babies either. I didn't dilate more than a couple cm with any of my three until I was pushing! (and didn't tear!)

Well done and good luck, OP.

My top ELCS tips:

Once home, tie something (sheet, rope) to the end of the bed and use it to pull yourself up to a seated position

Glycerin suppositories or "golden bullets"

The jury's out on this, but I found drying my scar with a hairdryer MUCH more comfortable than with a towel.

Jammy, no one mentioned c section to me either but I insisted on speaking to a consultant. I got the usual rubbish about natural birth and bigger babies come out more easily but I insisted on getting all the options out on the table so to speak. And thank goodness I did!

Clementine, I have rented a bed nest which looks similar to your link.

Just got the glucose test back, no gestational diabetes indicated, just baby following father's physiology, so that is another bit of good news. I am going to enjoy by last few baby free days. Thanks to all for contributing!

I was told DS1 was massive after a late scan and allowed them to induce me in case he 'got any bigger' I was also given inaccurate and appropriately scary wrong advice by a locum dr.

I did my research after the birth (duh) and scans are really really inaccurate this late on. IMO they shouldn't be used as sole basis of a decision. I've subsequently had twins and sat through many, many scans so I know how varying they can be between individual practitioners ( once a student did initial scan, and I could SEE him measuring bones wrongly - his tutor came and changed virtually every measurement afterwards )

In your case It seems you feel your baby is big, which sounds more of a thing to go by, esp as you know yourself how the growth has been.

I would say that an incredibly wise midwife told me that big babies in the rift position can come out very well - especially if you use their weight as a driving force ( so midwives help supporting you to sit up or crouch so baby weight is pushing downwards). This is on the basis of not being induced - which usually means sitting or lying back while being monitored.

I would say either go one way or t'other - go into labour naturally (with whatever floats your boat pain relief wise) or go the section way. If baby is facing right way then much much easier.

Weasel, this has been recommended as the safest option for me and my baby, so I am going with it. Following my gut instinct. There are no prizes for giving birth whichever way you do it, and what is right for you may not be right for everyone else.