Was I in danger at hospital?

[wellington77]

Hi everyone, I gave birth 7 weeks ago and I have been reflecting on my time during labour. The last trimester I was given extra scans as they said my baby was measuring big they said I would need a planned c section as with a big baby there is the usual risks of tearing or baby’s arm being broken to get her out. Or worst case death. They could only book one in 4 days before my due date as they were booked up , that worried me as I didn’t think I would last that long, which I didn’t, went into labour 1 and a half weeks early and I said would I be having the c section, they couldn’t do it as two women were already in theatre. In the end I gave birth naturally with gas and air and age actually wasn’t a big baby. I have been wondering since, what if she was a big baby??!! Is this normal care from the nhs or actually was this dangerous as if she was a big baby and I didn’t have a C-section it would have been medically dangerous. What does everyone think? Genuinely curious as it’s been in the back of my mind

My "big baby" was a smidge over 5lbs!

One of my dd was nearly 11Ibs and I had an emergency C section because although she was over the 90th centile, they did no scans (this was back when you only had 2) and tried to make me labour normally by telling me "no baby is put in that won't come out". After pumping me full of oxytocin (more, they said than they "should" have done) and a 3 day labour they finally admitted defeat and gave me an epidural and arranged the C section. It was horrible and I lost a lot of blood, they gave me pethadine despite me being clear in the birthing plan that I didn't want it under any circumstances, and then told me to go home but not pick up anything over 8Ibs - so the baby then! The idea of being able to prove to them that the baby was big and needed a C section without the 3 day labour would have been amazing to me.

Hmm didn't think they did C section just because of a " big" baby. My brother was a breech birth 9lb 7 oz and no one mentioned section. Mind you he was a quick delivery

Congratulations on your new baby.

She was 10 days early so they would have been presuming that she will be smaller than expected so I doubt they were particularly concerned. I’d imagine if you’d gone in on your due date they would have found a space for you to have a c-section.

Both of mine were measuring big, the first I took the option to be induced 2 weeks early, he was born 10 days early (via emergency c-section but that was due to unsuccessful induction), my second I opted for planned c-section, it was booked for the day before my due date, my waters broke the evening before that, didn’t actually really have contractions so they left me to the planned section the following day but if I had been in active labour they would have done a emergency c-section there and then. He was 9lb4 at birth 1 day before due date (eldest was 8lb10 10 days early)

I think ‘baby is safe and well and that’s the important thing’ is verging on disgraceful to say. What about all the ones that were not ok due to negligence similar to what the OP experienced? For HER that’s the important thing. For pregnant women that’s definitely NOT the important thing.

The question we should all be asking is

• was the care provided to you best practice?
• was the care provided limited by resources and budget?
• were you at increased risk than you should have been?

Congratulations OP. I don’t think there is anything wrong with your reasoning. My 2nd was nearly 11 lbs and I was monitored very closely with my 3rd. We had actually moved to another country when I was pregnant with my 3rd and my OBGYN went berserk when he found out how big my 2nd was. He said he would not deliver my 3rd vaginally under any circumstances because of it. He ranted and raved about how “abhorrent and irresponsible” the NHS was (not that I agree- these were his words). He said I must have a c-section or find another doctor because he doesn’t want a disaster on his hands 😳 Anyway.. we moved back to the UK when I was 30 weeks and the NHS thought it was ridiculous to even consider a c-section. Baby was born vaginally, happy and healthy at 41 weeks and weighed 8.3lbs. I don’t know what the point of my comment is but it’s funny how different countries approach birth so differently. I never felt like I was in any danger but it was always a little niggling thought at the back of my mind. Weirdly, my 11 pounder was my easiest birth and completely unmedicated. My only pain relief was an aromatherapy massage and I was already 8cm dilated when I arrived at the hospital.

I think remember baby was measuring big but you also developed earlier than expected which means less growing. Often with big babies it’s about them continuing to get big. That wasn’t an issue.

This.

Thankyou for supporting me raising questions 😊