Confused 1st-timer, Registering large for dates, need some advice please

[SleepDeprivedGrumpyBum]

I'm currently 39+5 (EDD is thursday) and at my last 2 MW appointments my fundal height measurement has been bigger than estimated for my dates, so my MW has set up a meeting with an obstetrician (spelling?) for me and DP tomorrow morning to have a chat through options. (she explained that if i went over my EDD it could maybe cause difficulties for me to deliver naturally :( im assuming because of the risk of shoulder dystocia?)

The problem is im feeling really confused as to what to expect tomorrow, my MW wouldnt confirm that i would end up with another scan to check how big my little man really is. Now i know scan's and fundal measurements aren't accurate, but if they dont scan me then what will the OBS actually do tomorrow? and how will they know what course of action to reccomend?

Also getting really agitated at the thought of not being able to go into labour spontaneously if its not advisable for me to go too far over my EDD. Alot of the info i've read about delivering big babies suggests that the way forward is either induction or Csection. How typical is this in your experience? Feeling really quite upset at the thought of either of these, i know i can refuse both but i know DP and i would find it really hard to ignore any advice about ensuring DS turns up safely.

sorry for the long post, any info or personal experiences would be greatfully received. :)

I measured big for dates with a tape measure, but DD was only 8lb4oz - the tape measure trick isn't that reliable, scans are more so.
I was induced a day past my due date, which at the time I was really upset about, but it was fine, I had 2 lots of hormone pessaries, the first at 7.30am, second at 1.30pm and DD was born naturally with gas and air, no tears etc at 7.30pm.
It can work out just fine!

I measured half a week to a week ahead of dates throughout pregnancy. My baby came four days early and weighed 10 lbs. I delivered him naturally with just meptid and gas and air, though he was my second which would make a difference as labour was shorter so I had lots of energy to push. No one knew he was going to be so big, midwifes had suggested he was feeling smaller than DS1 (8lb 10 oz). I'm sure it's possible to do it naturally, but you might need to make sure you are super calm and relaxed (as far as possible) throughout labour. This might be pretty hard with your first as it's scary, but I bet you can do it! What I think really helped is that I was forced to walk down a hospital corridor after I was fully dilated (long story). If you can stand it, summon up every ounce of energy at the end of your labour and have a walk as I think gravity really helped me get that massive baby out!

My first baby had a large head and got stuck but they still got him out with forceps, so even if he does turn out to be too big to push out there are other non-C section options...

and I really really recommend meptid/pethidine which I was too scared to have first time round, but was absolutely fab at taking edge off contractions!

i just read two stories this morning about large babies a 11 pounds and a 10 pound 4 in practical pregancy and parenting. Both women gave birth vaginally with minimal interventions. Maybe have a read of some posative stories before going into to see the consultant.

I think it varies from region to region and consultant to consultant. I measured big, had growth scan at 37 weeks which confirmed, saw consultant after who said... best way to see if you cn give birth to a big baby is to try and give birth to a big baby. He said they would not be inducing me early or doing anything differently due to the potential for increased chance of instrumental birth/EMCS etc if they did. I am very luck to have a sensible consultant! I know from on here that they seem to be a bit rare! I am now 40+4

Don't know if that helps, but remember the final decisions are up to you... just make sure you are well informed and ask EVERYTHING and ANYTHING you want at your appt - take a list of questions if you need to.

Porcupine i think i'm about a week ahead according to my measurements. I've been doing natal hynotherapy cd's to help me focus on relaxation and breathing techniques; and i really want to be able to stay at home for as much of my labour as possible and have lots of lovely stuff about being upright and moving around as much as possible in my birth plan once i get to hospital. Thats the plan in theory anyway Just hope i get to put it into practise.

Hazchem i'm off to the shops in a min, is practical pregnancy and parenting the most recent one? i'll try and get hold of a copy!!

MrsS your consultant sounds fab, fingers crossed mine has a similar opinion tomorrow.

what concerns me is that if i try for a natural delivery or agree to induction that it could result in instrumental delivery or EMCS anyway and i'll be causing my baby more distress than necessary by gettin to the stage where these measures are implemented. (i know its a bit of a worse case scenario way of looking at it. Just really unsure what to do for the best. Hopefully tomorrow's meeting will help (or even better the little munchkin turns up tonight )

My experience has been that they don't actually do that much in the way of intervention for a first baby that seems to be measuring large. My first was my largest baby but was only induced because I was a week overdue and also having blood-pressure problems.

It was only in my other pregnancies that inductions were considered because of the baby's size. The reasoning was "We know you can deliver a baby of 9.5lbs so we'll try to make sure you don't go above that with this one." With a first baby the MW just won't have that point of comparison.

Fundal measurements won't necessarily be related to the baby's size. At one appointment I measured 6wks ahead, and was told the baby felt huge. The scan showed a fairly average sized baby and lots of fluid. At the following MW appointment I measured just 2 weeks ahead. The baby had changed position and no longer had their bottom sticking right out.

If they suspect a risk of shoulder dystocia they may well just suggest arranging for extra staff to come and help when you reach the pushing stage. This happened with my 2nd and he was freed very quickly.

Good luck. :)

yes it was the most recent one. November.