Big baby panic! Help!

[Ericadm]

Hello, I am slightly panicking as I have discovered that my baby is already 6 pounds at 36 weeks and may well be 8 or above at 40! My previous baby was less than 6 pounds and I could not push her out, ended up with forceps and a third degree tear. The baby was not in a weird position but I was pushing on my back as I had an induction and epidural. My first birth was quite traumatic and I was really hoping that the second would be a straighforwards natural birth and a healing experience. I was hoping that if I stayed active and push in a better position (like squatting) he'll come out more easily. However, now that I know he is going to be so big I am really panicking and thinking maybe I should just go for a c-section. I am really worried baby will get stuck again and will need forceps, tear badly, and maybe end up incontinent! What would you do in my shoes?

1st births a often much harder, I was induced and had an epidural with DC1, she was hard to push out because I was on my back and couldn't feel much. She came out with help, but it was all pretty traumatic.

With DC2 I had the birth that you have said that you would like this time, I didn't need to be induced and didn't need an epidural...I gave birth up right and DC2 slipped out no problem. When you are upright your pelvis opens right up and there is much more room for your babies head to come out, so if you are comfortable like that it can be much easier. Plus you body has done it all before. DC1 was 8lb and DC2 was 9lb something.

Don't panic!

I'm sure I've heard that bigger babies are actually easier to birth as there's more for the uterine muscle to work with when it comes to pushing, so this might actually be a good thing for you!

Good idea re keeping mobile and looking at different positions to give birth.

Maybe look into learning some relaxation techniques to help you feel calm running up to / through the birth?

I've just recommended this on another thread actually, but Ina May's Guide to Childbirth is a great book for building confidence in your body if you fancied a read.

Hi Ericadm, I'm not sure that the size of the baby is the biggest risk factor for tears. I believe first baby and forceps are the bigger issues. You're already clear of the first one, and since you already had a bad tear they may well let you choose c-section over forceps if it comes to that.
Good luck!!

First as you prob know, weight estimates are notoriously inaccurate!

My first baby was 8lb 3 at 38 weeks exactly and I had a 7 hr labour with 2 hrs of pushing on g&a, ended up giving birth sitting up with legs in stirrups (other positions like leaning over head of bed weren't working but in hindsight I think It took me a while to get the hang of pushing!). One small internal stitch. All along baby measured 50th centile on scans.

Second baby (now almost 4 months old) was also average all along on scans and arrived at 40+5 after 1hr 50 mins from waters breaking to babe in arms and ten minutes of pushing. I gave birth to him standing up, had a few tokes of g&a before actually pushing him out.

He was 10lb11. Totally was not expecting that, consultant had the midwives weigh him twice!

I had three stitches for a small 1st degree tear. Have no incontinence issues, though haven't tried sex since birth so can't comment on that - because of exhaustion as opposed to anything else but I am a bit nervous; such a whopper with only few stitches is making me worry my vajayjay may not be it's former self... Gagh.

However I would say big baby doesn't necessarily mean horrific birth or lots of damage. For me #2's birth was much easier and I could feel my body just getting on with it whereas with #1 I never really felt the urge to push people speak of (I had syntocinin at one point as contractions got v short) and it took a long time to get him out. Body really did know the drill second time round and #1 had clearly paved the way so to speak.

Both midwives commented that standing up was probably the best position to give birth in given he was so big, gravity helped. The consultant who delivered him (I was private) however was surprised I was able to stay standing up. When he actually came out I squatted right down to the floor, though this was totally involuntary and I just did it without thinking.

Read Ina May - I read it for both and it massively helped my preparation.

Best of luck!

I don't think bigger babies = harder labour. In fact i also have heard they can be easier, something to do with gravity maybe?!
DS1 was a straightforward labour, just 2.5 hours with a tens machine, and he weighed 9lb11. No nasty after effects either.
Dd1 was also straightforward although took a bit longer at around 4 hours with g&a, in the pool, and she weighed 8lb10.
Now just waiting to see what happens with no.3, due on 27th!
I totally understand your nerves. Try not to worry though, every labour is different and it's amazing what your body is capable of!

Hi eric

My first baby weighed 6.3
My second 11 pound!!

I had a healthy vaginal birth with both, no stitches and only gas & air.

It wasn't easy with either..childbirth rarely is but it was regular IYSWIM ?

I am 5.7 and a healthy size 12 before & after pregnancy no great weight gain..

Please don't worry you will do great & have a greet experience & a beautiful baby at the end!!

Thanks for your comments and encoragement. I am still worried though..... ?? I know some women can birth big babies fine without damage but I have no confidence that I can do it as I failed to birth a tiny one before.... I really do not want a section though, what I really want is this baby to come out naturally now while is still a reasonable size!! Started on curry and pineapple tonight, may also have a few bounces on the birth ball once the curry has settled! ??

if that's what you want ericadm, I'd also recommend dtd... only thing that worked for me!

8lb isn't classed as big, it's pretty average and you'll probably find easier to birth than a tiny 6lb baby.
My eldest was 10.5 and a horrific labour and delivery and I was honestly pretty traumatised so I panicked a lot with my 2nd baby, they gave me regular growth scans and told me he was going to be at least 11lb at full term so gave me sweeps from 38 weeks (I refused an induction) anyway he came 4 days overdue and was a tiny 8lb 8oz, easy labour, 1 tiny labial stitch and home the same day. Easy peasy.
Try not to worry, you'll probably find that it was harder with your first due to the laying down and epidural etc.
Keep an open mind and do what feels best for you.

Thanks, I have been to the hospital today and had a chat with them. As several of you have said, they really think 8 pounds is just an average baby! Maybe it is a cultural thing but in Italy where I am from 8 pounds is considered big and I personally never heard of 10-11 pounds babies, I think it would be such an exceptional event to go on the local newspapers!! Anyway, due to my anxiety for the previous bad tear they have agreed to book me for a stretch and sweep at 40 weeks and an elcs at 41 if not arrived yet. This put my mind at ease a bit. I hope he will be an early baby like my first and not massive but if late and huge at least I got a contingency plan! :)