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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:
HamBone · 08/08/2023 21:14

Does anyone know why the hormone drip inductions sometimes fail so badly? I just assumed that they worked quickly (because mine did), but they don’t!

Mmmmops · 08/08/2023 21:14

Elective c-section 100%. I was in the same position as you (minus the diabetes) and opted for a c-section. If you look at the risks to the baby with attempting a vaginal birth with a v large baby it makes for scary reading. My husband is a lawyer and so many medical negligence cases of children with severe disabilities are related to them getting stuck during childbirth and all the risks and issues related to that. Also a very large proportion of inductions end up in c-section anyway - but it will be an emergency c-section after you have potentially laboured for a significant period of time and that has more risks than a pre-planned elective c-section.

aSpanielintheworks · 08/08/2023 21:15

Ds (second born)was 9lb6 and was by far my easiest birth, two pushes and he was out. Friend gave birth a few weeks earlier than me with a tiny 6lb baby and had an awful delivery, an hour of pushing and lots of intervention.
I remember chatting to the midwife just after about it and she said the "bigger babies tend to help themselves out!"
I'm sure its not always the case, especially with diabetes but I do try and tell people not to be totally frightened when they hear the words they dread "yes, it's a big baby"

Mamai90 · 08/08/2023 21:15

ELCS would be the safest option absolutely.

thecatsthecats · 08/08/2023 21:18

I'm at an earlier stage, but one thing I'm fairly adamant on is I won't be induced.

He measured 87th percentile at 22w, clear GD test at 25w and then 94th percentile at 28w. They want to test for GD again, which is odd, because he managed to be huge before I had the GD. But I am also conscious that measurements are SO often wrong.

But I won't be allowing induction at my Trust. There are far too many failures - including delayed emergency caesareans resulting in serious defects - for me to take that option. I don't know if it would be the same for your Trust.

pizzap · 08/08/2023 21:18

It's such a hard decision OP. I'm in a similar boat, 35 weeks and baby is already over 7lb. My last baby was 10lb 1oz and was born by elective c-section. This baby is measuring similarly and will be over 10lb at term. Although I don't have gestational diabetes, just have big babies for some reason.
I've decided not to go for induction because of the risks with a previous c-section but still undecided on the c-section. I probably wouldn't go for induction in your shoes either because it can make labour much more painful.

OverTheCountryClub · 08/08/2023 21:18

I'd have an ELCS over induction any day of the week! Calm, controlled, easy, quick. Recovery was so much easier than after an induced VB. I also had GD and was predicted a massive baby - he actually wasn't the monster they thought but I am still glad I had the ELCS as it was a very enjoyable experience. If I ever did fall pregnant again, I'd definitely opt for a c section.

CurlewKate · 08/08/2023 21:18

Certainly I'd always go elective C section over induction, but for ME, I wanted to have a vaginal birth if possible.

Zola1 · 08/08/2023 21:20

I was induced with my eldest she was 9lb 9oz and I had a tear and stitches and haemorrhage...but was still up and about quicker than with a section

Shesellsseashellsontheseashore · 08/08/2023 21:21

DC1 was 9lb 10oz at 41 weeks -episiotomy and ventouse delivery in theatre.
Dc2 was measuring 9lb in a scan at 37 weeks (although they do a say it's not a definite measurement and can actually be 20% more or less meaning so can the birth weight) so I was offered an elective section which I took and baby was born at 39 weeks just under 11lb.

I recovered much better and quicker from the 2nd birth than from the first as I developed an infection and ended up on antibiotics.
Elective was definitely the right decision for me. I have no doubt I would have ended up in theatre having an emergency section.

tt9 · 08/08/2023 21:21

personally in this situation for myself, I would go for section

if you decide to go for an induction, make sure you get an epidural in BEFORE they start the drip or as soon as contractions start in earnest with pessary. as well as pain relief it makes conversion to section much easier and safer.

WonderingWanda · 08/08/2023 21:23

My second baby was much smaller than my first but I had a similarly difficult birth first time round. I think faced with an even bigger baby I would have gone for the c section.

ThreeLittleDots · 08/08/2023 21:23

I'm a natural birth advocate but with GDM that has been uncontrolled for potentially a long time, I'd choose a calm elective C/S as baby isn't necessarily meant to be so large, naturally

Dobbycraft · 08/08/2023 21:24

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!

I had the same experience. What did they say the reason for the seizures was for you?

CurlewKate · 08/08/2023 21:26

The worst thing that happened to me was that ds was the biggest baby born in the hospital that year and the local paper wanted to run a story. In my post birth euphoric state I agreed to a photo. Oh.My.God. There are copies still in circulation.......

Original poster
AnxiousMamo · 08/08/2023 21:27

I don’t want to be induced, but I don’t want to wait for spontaneous labour either, as that just means baby getting even bigger… as my first was nearly 9lb, I don’t have hopes that this second baby will be smaller. I had really hoped for a spontaneous water birth, but with the diabetes and the big measurements, this is not likely and probably not safe!

I’m just surprised that they even mentioned an elective caesarean as an option, as I’ve heard most Trusts are against giving electives, so it almost makes me feel as though they know something I don’t?!

OP posts:
SchoolFeePain · 08/08/2023 21:27

100% I’d go for the c section. DS was a big baby, horrific tearing and being unable to walk for a week afterwards without crying in pain. DD was an elective c section. Calm and actually emotionally quite a healing experience after DS.

Aloneandconfused11 · 08/08/2023 21:29

Dobbycraft · 08/08/2023 21:24

I had the same experience. What did they say the reason for the seizures was for you?

Show quote history

The f’d up my induction and gave me the full dose even though my waters had broken and it sent my body into shock which they believe sent my baby into a seizure. It was horrific but all was ok in the end. Very scary though.

thecatsthecats · 08/08/2023 21:30

Hopefully this question will be useful to you too, OP - is there such a thing as a cut off for an elective caesarean? As in, can you get booked in at 38 weeks? 39 weeks?

I mean, they can't make you do it if you change your mind...

Bunny2607 · 08/08/2023 21:31

I was the same as you, 2nd baby measuring big. They think i had developed GD towards the end which hadn’t been picked up. I opted for a c section and baby was 11lb 5oz. I’d do the same again, it was straight forward, calm, pain free. Bit of discomfort after and you really need to rest etc but for me it was the much better option and safest imo.

madeofcheeze · 08/08/2023 21:32

I had two big babies a 10lb 12 then a 11lb 13 (at 35 weeks!) one. I had elective sections for both and I don't regret my decision.

Schoggimonster · 08/08/2023 21:32

My doctor was convinced that I had GD because I had lots of fluid (sorry candy remember the name of it.. what baby swims in). DD had a huge belly and was showing as large. I took the test 3 times and passed each time.

I also had a traumatic birth with DC1 and opted for a c section. DD was not huge at 8lb 8oz but she did have a huge belly 😆

From what you‘ve said, I would go for a c section.

Who1what1me · 08/08/2023 21:32

I had gestational diabetes with both pregnancies. The babies were measuring really big and neither were over 8 lbs. I had c section with both one emergency and one elective. I would opt for the elective. Although, the recovery is harder with a csection. Ihad some peace of mind and it was much less traumatic than the rush and panic of an emergency.

Original poster
AnxiousMamo · 08/08/2023 21:33

@thecatsthecats They have said that either way they wouldn’t advise I go beyond 39 weeks. C-section will be 39 weeks, induction aim for 39 weeks but could be sooner depending on the outcome / measurements at my 37 week scan.

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 08/08/2023 21:33

ELCS personally.

I went for an induction for PIH but was measuring very large for dates.

Essentially baby was too big to engage and press on cervix to get labour moving. After 5 days my uterus was shot and the EMCS resulted in a fairly significant PPH. He was 11lb.

Second baby was nearly 10lb but I had ELCS and it was completely different.

With hindsight ELCS every time (in my situation).