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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Massive baby - what would you do?

286 replies

AnxiousMamo · 08/08/2023 20:53

I’ve just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes after baby was measuring 6lb at 34 weeks. All of the measurements were 85th centile plus, with the stomach measurement being off the scale (!)

My first baby was 8lb 15oz, and this one looks set to be even bigger. First DC I had to be induced which was awful and I ended up with an episiotomy, ventouse and I was unable to urinate afterwards for a week (I needed a catheter). It was pretty traumatic, although I was able to look after DC and be mobile straight after birth which was good.

I have another scan next week when I will be 37 weeks, and they will compare measurements and the consultant will advise me. They have given me two options - induction at 39 weeks or an elective caesarean. Both carry risks. With induction there is the risk it won’t work, I may need intervention again, tears, episiotomy and shoulder dystocia for the baby. With a caesarean there are the usual associated risks. The consultant did they that as I have had a big baby previously, that is a good sign for a vaginal birth.

I am wondering if any others have been in this situation and how it went for you, what did you decide? How was the birth?

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 08/08/2023 20:55

If you had easily been able to have a big baby before, you might feel more confident. It sounds like your previous big baby was a difficult delivery for you, which is presumably a factor to consider.

Ophy83 · 08/08/2023 20:56

Elective c-section is statistically safest option.

Aloneandconfused11 · 08/08/2023 20:57

I was the same as you with regard to the big baby. Not trying to scare you with the below just want to share my experience.

I was induced…hell…on…earth. Everything that could go wrong went wrong, he got stuck, seizures, epidural not working, f’d up epidural so spine was leaking 😵 heart rate dropping and I ended up with an emergency c section. My son was 10lb 4oz in the end so he was absolutely feeecking massive. So if I knew what I know now, I’d op for the c section and at least have some sort of ‘control’ over it all and not be rushed into theatre!

HamBone · 08/08/2023 20:57

DD was 9lbs 10oz at full term, bad tear and hemorrhage so my doctor advised me to be induced at 39 weeks with DS. I was induced with a drip. DS was born in less than 3 hours, 7lbs 12 oz. Vaginal birth, I was up and about the next day.

So if you decide to be induced again, insist on the drip right away.

lechatnoir · 08/08/2023 20:57

DC1: 8lb 8 induced at 2 weeks overdue hideous 2 day birth similar to yours

DC2: measured huge and talk of induction/C-section but arrived naturally at 39+3 9lb10 quick birth very straightforward small tear but felt ok and fully mobile from day 1.

iamjustlurking · 08/08/2023 21:00

My DC 2 was big 10lbs 4. Completely unexpected. When I fell pregnant with DC3 unplanned I was concerned how big he would be.
I elected for induction 2 weeks early as he too was big. I was by far my worst experience as he clearly was just not ready.
Would definitely opt for elective c section if I had my time again

Axcis · 08/08/2023 21:01

I was given the choice but as first baby was induced and then csectioned, I chose an elective csection. Which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I just popped in to say, take the diabetes thing seriously. I was told I would get type2 within 10 years after gestational. And boom. I ignored the threat. So if you have more self control than me, just think about it x

ZenNudist · 08/08/2023 21:03

Second babies are easier. Both mine were 9lb9 and although I tore with ds 1 I was fine with ds 2. Ds2 head was 98th centile. Hone birth gas and air no issues no tearing.

I guess it depends on your own feelings. My friend had elective section with her dc2 after crash section with huge ds1 and she ended up in intensive care with kidney infection second time so section not a decision to be taken lightly.

Personally I'd fight induction and go for natural birth with a plan to cascade to pain relief and intervention if required but some people will tell you elective section is the dream.

Piranhaha · 08/08/2023 21:05

I had a 10lb baby. She was too big to fit out of my pelvis. They said they were afraid she would get stuck which could result in injuries for me (serious tears and they might even have to break my pelvis), and she could get stuck and end up with shoulder dystocia, or even cerebral palsy if she got stuck for too long and was oxygen deprived. So I had a c section.

Worriemumma · 08/08/2023 21:06

I'm not going to put frighteners on with scare stories, but go for the C section 100%.

bluebirdsongs · 08/08/2023 21:06

C section I would opt for.

I'd a difficult first birth with an episiotomy and nearly had a catheter for a week but managed to wee at the last point of needing this.

I opted for a c section with baby 2 and I found the recovery so much easier. I was in the park with baby 1 48 hours post birth whereas the first I was barely able to walk. I actually wheeled baby 2 into the ward 4 hours after the birth!

Original poster
AnxiousMamo · 08/08/2023 21:06

Thank you for all your replies so far, it’s really helpful as I don’t know anybody in real life who has been through this.

If it was guaranteed I could have an induction and straight forward natural birth I would go for that. I’m very worried about it ending in ventouse / forceps, tears etc. also the risk of the baby’s shoulder becoming stuck (even though it’s a small chance) is very scary.

I was also surprised that they mentioned an elective caesarean as an option, I was convinced they would push for an induction and vaginal. Which also makes me wonder why they giving that as an option…

OP posts:
GlmPmum · 08/08/2023 21:07

I had GD too with my first, I was warned that I was going to have a big baby. I was induced at 39 weeks due to high BP. When he can he weighed well under the estimated weight and was dinky 6lb 6oz!

I fought against alll the advice I was given and was determined to do it my way, it was the scary BP that made me give in and stop being so daft, I wished I'd listened and been induced earlier than 39 weeks, gave myself a scare!

Gassylady · 08/08/2023 21:08

Id definitely go for a section, that is where you might end up anyway if you go for induction. Elective section is a much nicer experience than an emergency one. I would also be concerned about possible pelvic floor consequences of delivering a large baby - speaking here as someone who has had both an episiotmy and a tear.

bumblenbean · 08/08/2023 21:08

My first was measuring big throughout, think he was 98th centile or something ridiculous. Oddly 🙄birthing options were never really discussed, I was just assured a ‘natural’ birth was the best/ safest option.

Unfortunately it was pretty hellish. He was 9lb 11oz and after a 3 day labour, failed epidural, emergency forceps (with joyous episiotomy) he was born not breathing and spent a week in PICU. I meanwhile had a PPH (almost 2 litres) and had a v tough recovery mentally. I had a debrief with the consultant and tbf she said the problem was I was left in labour ‘not progressing’ too long, DS was back to back and they should’ve intervened sooner. So in the ideal scenario if you were unlucky enough to have similar they would step in with a c-section much earlier.

however, I think it does make a difference it being your second. My second was a breeze (comparatively!)- though she was much smaller.

I think in your shoes overall I’d opt for the c section. When DS got ‘stuck’ they used some kind of hormone drip to ‘induce’ on day 2 of being in agony, even though labour had long since started - and it did bugger all, so I wouldn’t be thrilled with induction as an alternative.

sorry for the somewhat jaded response OP!

CurlewKate · 08/08/2023 21:08

Oh, I never know whether to talk about my births on big baby threads-because I don't want anyone to be lulled into a false sense of security. But my first was 9'9 unexpectedly- textbook 12 hour labour and a couple of stitches. My second was showing big all through- I was offered c section or induction but said no. I agreed to daily monitoring after 39 weeks- he was born around 40+3 after a 5 hour labour- we made the hospital by 45 minutes! I just want to say size doesn't need to be a problem. It can be, of course-but it isn't automatically and you do have choices! I think I might just be evolved to deliver big babies...

MorePressureMoreRelease · 08/08/2023 21:08

I had a home birth with DS who came at 38 weeks 9lb 9oz. 4 hour labour in water. Minimal tearing. I guess it really depends what you want as to how you play it.

TolkiensFallow · 08/08/2023 21:10

dd1 was 9lb 11 and the birth was awful. Started labour naturally then stopped and I had to be induced. Followed by prep for emergency c section, forceps and tore my sphincter.

Im expecting dc2 and not really willing to put myself through it again. So having a growth scan and likely elective c section. I think if I can feel a bit more in control I’ll hopefully find it better even though the surgery isn’t overly appealing.

Tamuchly · 08/08/2023 21:10

Elective C-section is calm and quick, you leave the theatre holding your baby and I was up and about after 6 hours. I felt fine and perfectly able to look after my babies after my one night stay in hospital.

My first birth was induced and fine, my second was a traumatic, excruciating, painful back to back labour and I had been in pain for nearly 2 years after so I demanded a C-section for my next birth. I then had another elective for my final pregnancy so 2 of each.

RandomMess · 08/08/2023 21:11

I birthed my 2nd 10lb 6oz and induction absolutely fine.

BUT I didn't need intervention bar being induced with my 1st.

forgivingfiggy · 08/08/2023 21:11

Is opt for a c-section.

canihaveasection · 08/08/2023 21:12

Take the scans with a pinch of salt. I had gd with my dd, her AC was 97th centile and was told she was going to be an absolute whopper, also 6lbs around 34 weeks, when born she was 7.6lbs

Kialla · 08/08/2023 21:13

My first was a long induction ending with shoulder dystocia and a large hemorrhage. 10lb 3oz baby.

My second was an elective section several weeks early. 8lbs 6oz and would probably have been another 10lb-er if he hadn't been born 3 weeks early. (And that was with the GD supposedly under control...)

Recovery (physically and mentally) was a million times easier with the c-section.

HotSince82 · 08/08/2023 21:13

What would I do?

I'd have an elective section. I've had four elective sections following a horrific 'natural' birth.

If men gave birth hardly anyone would have to go through childbirth, much less a potentially dangerous scenario type one. But that's another thread entirely.

My electives were great and I recovered form them much easier than from my rotational forceps delivery with episiotomy.

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 08/08/2023 21:13

I’m not sure they can know how big your baby is. It’s not an exact science, and even if it were, the layout of the weight on the baby and the moulding of the head, the shape of your pelvis and the elasticity of your tissues can’t be exactly measured or predicted. So I wouldn’t do anything, based on weight - I was investigated for a small baby in two of my pregnancies which scared me a lot and both were very average weights in the end, similar weights to your first and both more than 2-3lb different to their “estimated birthweight”. But they scared me as it sounds like they are scaring you, which isn’t always useful. I would consider intervention due to the GD but not because of estimated size as it’s such a random guess.