Ginormous baby

[tertle]

My due date is today but so far nothing. Have just been to have CTG monitoring and then had an appointment with my obstetrician who says that the baby will be at least 4 kilos! He tells me that even though it's impossible to tell exactly how much the baby weighs, there is no doubt about it, it's a whopper.

He has therefore given me the choice to be induced tonight or on Sunday. I've gone for Sunday as I feel like a need a bit of time to get my head around it, even though I clearly know that the baby is coming sooner rather than later. Also, tomorrow is the anniversary of my mother's funeral and I would prefer it if the baby isn't born on that date (if I can avoid it).

I am now feeling really worried about my decision of being induced on Sunday as I am concerned that the baby will get even bigger in the next few days. Maybe I should have just gone for tonight to get it over and done with? My husband tells me to relax but I'm finding it hard. Oh and my obstetrician isn't hopeful of me going into natural labour either, apparently the baby is showing no signs of appearing on its own.

Anyone have any stories to share of having an induction due to a big baby? How was it? Was it very slow? Extra painful? Argh !

Thanks in advance.

[tertle]

No, not in Spain but there is a similar attitude here!

Thanks for everyone for the well wishes. Shall pop back after Sunday and update with the final weight!

[IdaClair]

The problem for me with inductions is thinking there is probably a reason I am not in labour yet - like baby not quite in a good enough position to put any pressure on the cervix, just a tiny crook of the neck can make a very big difference. Starting the contractions anyway can just ram the baby into a worse position it struggles to correct. Of course this could happen whatever but I would always be a fan of waiting for a baby to find their own way if possible as they know what's going on in there. That would be especially true if I had big babies - but I don't, biggest 8 5. If an induction then doesn't work and people end up with ds saying their baby would never have come out naturally when really you don't know.....none of these are bad options in and of themes elves but I get frustrated by railroading into a certain birth option which should be a choice you get to make,,,

I do wish you all the luck in the world op, enjoy meeting your baby .

[ikeaismylocal]

Ds was 4.5kg and 11 days late.

I looked into inductions with a larger baby and decided I would refuse an induction and go with an elcs as in my opinion it would be safer for the baby. I felt I needed to be as mobile as possible to successfully birth a large baby.

I went into labour naturally and ds was born after 2 pushes. All very easy and ID go as far as to say enjoyable.

My mother maintains that bigger babies are easier to birth, not sure how she'd know as she has never had a little baby, but it was true in my experience.

Best of luck :)

[CocktailQueen]

My friend was told this too, and bullied into having a cs as her baby was 'too big' for a vaginal birth.

He was 6 lbs 10 oz.

It's a very Inexact science, op. Good luck for Sunday!!

[hazchem]

I'm going to throw a crazy spanner in the works but if you don't attend the induction appointment they can't induce you. However you need to be comfortable with the course of action you take. You can have a great an amazing induced birth many many women have them. You can also ask the OB what would happen (with references) if you waited a little longer, also ask how high your Bishop score is as that is an indication of how successful the induction will be.

We did loads of research an late ultrasounds are very inaccurate they over estimate large babies and under estimate small babies.

DS was 10 pound 2 oz, lots of hot water shower early labour, gas and air from 9cm to pushing, pushing for about 10 minutes, a few stitches.

[confuddledDOTcom]

How big was you expecting a baby to be? Much smaller than that and you would be worrying about a small baby. That's a nice "newborn" size, the sort that don't seem to skip that stage.

Late US don't tell you much about baby's size really, baby is too squished up in there. Bliss (premature baby charity) says that bigger babies are easier to deliver than smaller babies as it's one of the myths that we preemie mums have to deal with. I know many preemie mums who've had term babies and say it's true.

I agree with the PP who said that if baby isn't coming there is probably a reason for it and that's part of why inductions lead to more intervention. Of course it's your decision but there is no reason why you have to turn up if you're not ready, you don't even need to get into discussion about why.

[Wurstwitch]

What a load of tosh.

My ginormous huge way too giant to birth normally, scanning 9lb 13 and predicted to be 10lb 13 was 8lb 6oz.

I don't believe a word of it.

I had a Caesarian for absolutely no reason.

These growth scans are notoriously unreliable, and I ignore them.
Vbac1 was exactly the same size, and vbac2 was 9lbs.

So, no experience of being induced due to size, but they did give me a completely unnecessary major abdominal surgery.

Good luck anyway!

[Chipandspuds]

DS is my first baby and he was 9lbs 1oz and the labour was very straightforward. I went into labour naturally, woke up at 5.19am with an ache and realised I was in labour by 6.00am and he was born just after 11.00am the same day. I arrived at the hospital 9cms dilated and they gave me gas and air and I gave birth to him in the birthing pool with 4 big pushes.

It was a great experience and whilst it was painful I felt in control and just took one contraction at a time. My midwife was very calm and apart from checking DS's heartbeat at regular intervals just let me be as she could see I was in the zone.

DM is convinced bigger babies are easier to birth!

I hope your labour goes well and hope my easy birth reassures you a bit!

[MichaelFinnigan]

I'm with Idaclair I think your doctor has done you a massive disservice with his scaremongering

I've had two 10lb + babies with not trouble whatsoever, it was never once suggested to me that they were large and for that I'm grateful

I get so frustrated by these posts that a large baby is predicted and therefore it'll hurt 'more' Or be more difficult It must be terrifying for first timers, you should be given more information and reassurance that size makes scant difference to the birth

[Wuxiapian]

My friend had growth scans every couple of weeks as her 1st was small.

They estimated her baby to be near 9lbs at term. She was 9 days late and weighed 6lb 12oz.

[tertle]

I do have to turn up, I have an appointment at my private clinic booked. As I've already said, I'm not in the UK. I didn't quite realise to what extent things are different here!

If I decided not to go today my OB would most likely insist on a cesarian. I don't actually mind having one (all I want is a healthy baby!) but I'd prefer to see what induction brings first.

I really appreciate all of your replies and especially those who have reassured me. I was feeling a bit worried about everything but now I've had time to take it in I feel OK and I am excited about meeting my baby.

Will come back and give you an update on the final birth weight!

[confuddledDOTcom]

even if he insists he can't force you to have one, I don't know of any country that the law would allow that (and I know a few through the different things I do) even private you can say thanks but no thanks.

[RandomMess]

My youngest 3 were between 9lb 2oz and 10lb 6os so 4.74kg - they were all fine, none got stuck. I was told with the largest that as I was measuring small for dates I wasn't having a big baby

[vichill]

I was told twice I had 10 lb + baby and off the chart for head and abdominal circumferences. she was in fact 7.14lb, long and slim.

[Martorana]

If I remember correctly, something like 37% of babies in the UK weigh more than 3.5 kg....so 4kg is not big.

[MooseBeTimeForSpring]

Waiting for the baby update!

[Suzyjane1]

With ds3 scan also showed head and abdominal circumference were off the scale (too big) and he was 8lb 1oz at 41+ weeks! They worried me sick!

[Suzyjane1]

With ds2 they also worried me senseless with repeated scans (abdo circumference too small) and he was 7lb 15oz. They really don't have much idea.

OP. Hope all well and hope to read your good news soon :)

[confuddledDOTcom]

I had an IUGR baby and they knew she was small because I had 3 scans a week, I was already having regular scabs because I was high risk. I was in labour for 11 weeks from 24 weeks and they were standing off with her, would she make her move before her weight dropped significantly. If the weight is a real concern they can't accurately judge it without regular scans.

[tertle]

Baby is here! Weighing an above average (for Switzerland) 3.8 kilos but not exactly the whopper we feared! She's perfect!

[LostInWales]

Congratulations that's a lovely size. Good luck and happy snuggling.

[Floggingmolly]

Congratulations!

[hazchem]

Congratulations. really happy for you.

[spiderlight]

Congratulations!!

[Suzyjane1]

Congratulations!