Birthing a whopper

[FranTan]

I need a bit of reassurance, please.

I went for a 36 week scan today due to polyhydramnios and was told that dc is already estimated to be 8 pounds 10! He will be my second (first was 8 pounds 10 but born on due date). My consultant said the plan is to examine me in 2 weeks time with a view to possible induction, due to the shoulder dystocia risk.

Thing is, I'm terrified. My first birth was traumatic (back-to-back, epidural, episitomy, foreceps, PND) and I really want to avoid all this this time round. I have been reading hyno birthing and wanted an active labour but i think this is looking less likely given what I've read about induction.

Part of me wants to beg for a planned c-section but I know my consultant is reluctant as I've given birth before.

I guess my question is, can a small framed person give birth easily to a big baby, without the horrors of my previous birth? You can probably tell I'm generally pretty anxious and would welcome any positive experiences.

Thanks

Starlight - I had no idea about induction increasing the risk. I'm so confused! I desperately want to have faith in the expertise of the consultant but now I'm not so sure. Perhaps I should wait for spontaneous labour, assuming I go beyond 38 weeks. I had not considered challenging medical opinion before.

Steppemum - another post which confirms big babies can be birthed more comfortably. Thanks!

Starlight - have been thinking about what you said re. induction increasing the risk of SD. Assuming the scan is correct and baby is big, I'm guessing the consultant's thinking is to mitigate this risk (SD) by getting baby out before he gets even bigger. Should this not be weighed up against the risk of induction?

Babies often hardly put on much weight after 38 weeks. The most important factor in reducing likeliness of SD is positioning before and during labour. You are risking this by trying to trigger labour before the baby is ready and therefore optimally positioned. Usually the head being in the best place is what puts the pressure on the cervix and triggers labour.

Being induced you are also more likely to spend time on your back which reduces the ability for the baby to correct their position.

And finally, being induced increases the chances of forceps which also increase the chances of the baby getting stuck.

Should the baby get stuck, then 'probably' the safest place to give birth is in a hospital as ressus equipment is more advanced, but you are significantly increasing the chances of NEEDING the equipment if you have gone down the medical route.

It's no easy choice to make, but I wish consultants would give accurate evidence-based information.

I was induced on my due date with no3 as the scan had said he was over 10lb and my previous labour had resulted in shoulder dystocia with an 8lb baby. When baby was born he was only 6lb.

I agree with cupboarddoor and would feel causious of scans predicting birth weight. Having said that you must do what you feel comfortable with. There is no point in leaving yourself to go overdue for example, if you are going to be worried about giving birth because that would make for a horrible birth anyway.

Although he turned out not to be a big baby, there was no harm caused by being induced early with my 3rd baby.