Overdue with big baby - should I wait?

[EllaM]

I'm 41+1 and expecting my third. My first was 8lb12oz and second 10lbs but the hospital has agreed to let me wait to be induced until I am 42+2. I am worried that I will end up with another c-section, second son was an emergency cs, but I really want a VBAC this time round. As time goes on I am getting more and more worried that I will end up with a cs, either because I will be induced or because the baby will be too big! Does anyone have any experience of going overdue and ending up with a big baby? And if so did it mean having a c-section?

From personal experience, I would go with your instinct on this one.

My 2nd baby was 9lb 14oz and tore me to shreds and all the midwives couldn't believe I'd had him naturally.

My 4th was 9lb 4oz, born 2 weeks overdue so that wasn't too bad but I was so relieved he wasn't any bigger.

No5 was showing big right from the very beginning. At 36 weeks+ it was forecast he would be in the region of 11lb at full term which scared the life out of me. I asked (and got) a Consultant appointment where we discussed me being induced early. They agreed to do so at 38 weeks. ds4 was duly delivered by induction weighing 9lb 1oz. I felt justified in asking to be induced and it seems the midwife was pretty accurate with her forecast of an 11lb-er. Part of the reason for induction was that I had had 2 previous very speedy deliveries (3cm to delivery within half an hour) which increase the risk of badly tearing.

You can talk to your consultant and express your fears - but remain open-minded about your birth plan.

I've gone nearly 2 weeks over with all 3 of mine and they were: 9'5'(forceps) 8'12' and 9'2 - no c-sections. I'm 40 weeks now and mw reckons 9lb for this one.

Could you request a scan? I know they're not 100% accurate but there is supposed to be some new policy for screening big babies - I saw this poor couple on breakfst TV who lost an undiagnosed 12lb baby and they were campaigning for it to be more widespread. They have gone on to have 8 1/2lb twins!

I was just over a week past my due date when ds1 was born. He weighed 9lbs 8oz. Ds2 was induced at 38wks weighing 9lbs. I was lucky enough to avoid a C-section each time.

Despite the longer labour with ds1 I found that the pushing stage was actually a little easier with him as he was long and thin whereas ds2 was shorter but chubbier.

My youngest had to be delivered at 37 weeks exactly. She was 9lb 6oz!! I dread to think how big she would have been if left for a further 5 weeks!

My DS was born in September and weighed 10lb 9.5oz, he was my first!!!!! God help me if I have any more!

My first was 6lb 2oz - induced 2.5 weeks early

DS was late - booked for induction at +14 days, arrived at +13 days weighing 9lb 6oz in 1.5 hours. Only had to push once for his head .

It was great!

I'd request a scan, as you don't want anything untoward happening should they try to get baby out normally then find the fits a bit/lot tight...

What about a sweep? Worked for me. Ds was on the moderate to large size and eventually came out via the usual route, although I wouldn't exactly call it a natural birth...

Thank you all for your advice. I was induced at 40 +15 because of reduced foetal movements and Ben arrived safely with forceps weighing 9lbs 11oz, which was smaller than my second son. I was very glad to avoid a C-section as two weeks on I am feeling fit and well, although a bit tired!