Having a big baby and not sure what to do!

[babyox]

Hello there
Have never posted a question on mumsnet though have gleaned much helpful advice through my pregnancy. Am now 39 wks and living inthe states with DH. He was a big baby, 10'1 and had a growth ultrasound last week where they estimated baby is already 8'13. Baby is head down though not engaged..am not dilated, no effacing though cervix ripe-ish!!! Doc reckons because baby and body not making any changes sld be baby already too big to go down bith canal already (I am 5'4 and usually 140).
Am due sat 1st July and have an exam on wednesday and even if still no change they may induce before the baby becomes to big for a vaginal birth. Doc said if I want an elective cesarean they would happily approve...just dont know what to do. Would like a vaginal birth but dont want it to be traumatic for me and baby and may end up with an emergeny cesarean anyway so should I opt for elective. Worry I will feel cheated if I could have delivered naturally......Sorry this is such a rant!!!! Any advice wld be apprecaited particularly from anyone with any experience of delivering a big baby!!!
Thankyou baby Ox

babyox, I have an ENORMOUS head (aged 6 we did a measuring your head project at school (why, I've no idea) and mine was bigger than the teacher's . In fact my whole family have ginormous heads, but DD's wasn't at all (considering her size & length!)

Anyhow, good luck with whatever you decide. And don't let them do anything without a good reason - don't let them fob you off with a load of nonsense (it is difficult when it's your 1st, but question everything - and ask MN ). Try to leave the induction for as long as poss, not sure why they want to induce you on Wed?

Thankyou Mrs John Cusack...your posting made me laugh out loud...just picturing you measuring heads and comparing it to the teachers... . The docs advice was not to go past my due date as obviously baby will get bigger and bigger as we go along and then in her eyes make it harder to deliver naturally anyway. I know, so this is all based on the fact that it is a big baby as oppose to might be a big baby. Hhhhhm. Shall try to remain resolute in wanting to give birth naturally and see what they say wed re-induction.

That's it babyox - stay strong!

Obviously I'm not trying to imply that they don't know what they're talking about () as they're your medics after all and actually looking after you and I'm just a stranger ranting - BUT I would def. rather wait a few days and go into labour naturally if poss than be induced and then strapped to a bed being monitored so I couldn't move around, even if that meant the baby got a bit bigger.

Good luck and look forward to reading a birth announcement soon!

babyox, do make sure you find out what an induction involves. It's very often a fast road to an emergency CS and not to be taken lightly.
My first baby was induced - because I had been a bit clueless really and when offered an induction for a very dubious reason I took them up on it - it wasn't a good experience. The natural labours I had afterwards were so much easier.
Induction does have its place of course, but it's not the 'easy' option.

I delivered last ds, 9lb 11oz, in a pool at home, one tiny tear, his head circumference was off the chart ! ( I did shout rather a lot at the end!)

I'm 5 foot 4 and pre-pregnancy 8 st 7lb so not "big".

I echo what the others have said, scans can be WAY out and also try really ,really try during labour to keep moving and upright as much as possible, not very US style I'm sure, but a great help for opening up the birth canal.

I have had all my 4 babies at home and never ever felt the slighest inclination to lie down flat on my back.

I hope all goes well

Babyox, aren't you American? I wouldn't want an induction for a frist baby, I once heard a midwife describe it as 'using dynamite to blast the baby out', doesn't sound pleasant does it?

My head must be the opposite to Mrsjohncusack, I had special 'toddler' vouchers to get my first pair of galsses made extra small. I was 12 [blush}

Hi Kate - Am a yorkshire lass through and through...am sure birthing practises here very different here stateside...have researched induction and know it's not ideal...
Pupuce - am usy looking up Jean suttons research, thankyou, very interesting...

babyox - as a midwiofe I would advise you to let nature take it's course. I personally think it is ridiculous to induce a first baby on the basis that the baby is going to be big. If you are induced, you are more likely to need a C/Section because your body is not ready to labour.
If the baby truly is too big for you to birth, then the head is unlikely to engage. No idea why you were given an internal at 39 weeks. Late scans are notoriously inaccurate regarding weight of baby.
I hate women being told they are going tohave a 'big baby'. Makes them scared before labour even starts. I have seen women of 5ft give birth to 10lb babies. Avoid induction before 41+ 3 weeks if you can. Even go to 42 weeks. I agree with pupuce, first babies are often after 41 weeks. Definitely recommend Jean Suttons optimal fetal positioning information.
Good luck.

Hi Mears
Thankyou for the advice, I know induction is far from ideal, they do seem to have very different practices here. I have been having internal exams from 36 weeks!

Why?

i was told that number 6 was a good 8 and a half pounds at 36 weks, so to avoid labour, due to previous sections, I was brought in early for the birth. He was only 6lb 6oz! And looked thoroughly too early to pop! Covered in hair, no eyebrows, eyelashes or toenails on some toes, and SO thin. Even some med staff said he was actually even earlier than originally thought!

Mears - that is just their practise. Had a friend who used the same obstetricians for her birth last year, and was very happy with her treatment. Have been happy so far...as I say i think they are just over cautious here.

I am 165 cm, weigh 7/12 stone, all my babies have VERY large heads and the last one also came out with her elbow poking out to the side (thanks) weighing alot over 9lb. I birthed them all easily.
I do sometimes dream of being sewn up so that I was like I used to be! They do do that don't they?!
Still wouldn't have it any other way x

Well if I was you I would ask why they want to do it. I would also politely decline. There is absolutely no good scientific reason for it. Even if they feel the cervix change, it does not give a good indication of when labour will start. They maybe do it because women expect it as a sign of good care? Not.
Really research induction and decide if that is what you want. Have a look at this site . Leaflet 12 is on prolonged labour.

You used to be able to get leaflets free from that site. Looks as though it has changed. Sorry

Babyox... what about saying you are NOT ready to be induced ? Do you think they'll send the sherriff around to drive you to hospital?
Sometimes a good dialogue with docs lead to a positive resolution!

At my booking-in check I was told that I was either as much as 4 months pregnant or having twins!! Both were incorrect (I was approximately 4 weeks!) and it was simply due to developed stomach muscles from riding horses professionally! DD1 was then born 4 weeks early and weighing 7lbs8oz, so she was fairly big (I'm 5'1 and weighed pre-pregnancy around 103lbs) DD2 arrived 5 days late weighing 9lbs6oz. Nobody indicated at any time that she would be sizeable (although I only saw my midwife 3 times throughout my entire pregnancy and not at all during my final 6 weeks - but that is a different thread)So I would always take what is said with a pinch of salt - they're not always right. Besides, having a small baby is no easier than having a big 'un, you just think it will be.

Do you have family with you or is it just you and your DH? Maybe someone could come with you to your next appointment and be 'on your side' if you see what I mean?

Hope it all goes well, lots of really good advice here. Feel bad that you're having so many internals, I'm not a fn and only had about 4 in 2 pregnancies1!

Do you have family with you or is it just you and your DH? Maybe someone could come with you to your next appointment and be 'on your side' if you see what I mean?

Hope it all goes well, lots of really good advice here. Feel bad that you're having so many internals, I'm not a fn and only had about 4 in 2 pregnancies1!

Oops, I have an 11 month old 'assisstant'.

I've had 2 babies and have only had one internal in labour with DD1 and a membrane sweep with DD2, bizarre!

Sorry just wanted to say like you I'm 5'4" tall and my first baby was born at 37+5 weeks and weighed 6lbs 3ozs with her hand at her face and I had a bad tear.

My second weighed 9lbs 3ozs and I had her at home without even a graze.

Theres some great advice on here, stand your ground and have the birth you want. I love the US birth programmes on TV where everyones hooked up to drips pushing on their backs with the doc all gowned up and a huge facemask thing on, wonder what they would make of us in this country.

I've had four bigguns - the first three vaginaly the biggest being 10lbs 15ozs. I am very tall though - however had late scans with all three and told they were only 8.5 lbs or so - IME scans are not accurate. Believe in yourself - it's not fair that they've planted this little seed of doubt in your mind - stay positive. I really believe that having a positive mental attitude to labour really helps, and remember you havn't failed if you have a cs either. Follow your intuition - do what ever you feel most comfortable with.
Good luck with it all - whatever you choose to do.

Thankyou all for your input.
Kate - yes just me and DH over here, he is very supportive but of the 'just listen to the doctors..they know best' attitude...so if they're saying 'induction' he's saying 'induction'.....hmmm!!
Well not long to go anyway. Shall keep of positive mental attitude and let you know how I get on. Fingers crossed
x

I am 5 ft and gave birth to a baby of 10 lbs 2, gas and air only.

pudmog - you brave woman!!!