, I REALLY need some "I had a big baby and the birth was OK and I didn't tear to shreds" stories

[katierocket]

DS was 9lb 13oz, got stuck, was ventouse with episiotomy. I am now 4 days overdue - they think this one will be over 10lbs and I'm very scared about the pushing out part. I'm worried about a) it getting stuck again b) tearing into pieces.

Have heard so many horror stories over last few weeks about big babies, I really need some "oh it was a breeze" ones!

pookey my friend had the shoulders getting stuck with the first but had no problems with the second. HTH

Thank you thank you everyone, really helps. y ejDeedos - my friend has just had her 2nd and her SIL (midwife) who was with her, recommended standing. She did and he far slid out!

I'm feeling very tearful today but not to do with size, am now fixated on not being induced. But that's another thread....

Katierocket - the other thread, what would you be prepared to do not to be induced? We were 10 days overdue and had been booked in for the 23rd Dec, the second date (I'd refused the earlier one). We did the MW's suggestion of sex at midnight (MW didn't suggest midnight, just the sex). It worked - my waters broke an hour later (note, VERY GENTLE SEX) and I had no induction. I was prepared to wait at least the fortight though had it not worked. They were sooo keen to induct, and I was very healthy, and not too uncomfortable. BUT DD was just 7lb 9, I may have felt alot more uncomfortable with a BIG baby... Anyway, just a thought.
By the way, DH Mum gave birth to 5, smallest 8lb, biggest 10lbs 5 - the size of baby was not at all connected to ease/difficulty in giving birth.

thanks calmontheoutside - I think sex is on the cards this weekend [queasy emoticon!] If it helps, I'll do it!

Good luck!! ALso, I do think it worked because DD was ready to come anyway, but if you're ready to be induced yours must be ready...

Hi just thought i let u know my ds 2 was 8lb.9 and i had a 3 1/2 hour labour with no pain relief. Did have a small tear due to speed!! but healed very quickly.

Not as big as you're expecting, but 9lbs here with just gas and air and a tiny superficial tear that needed just 3 little stitches.

Childbirth is a breeze really .

all my babies were big, ds2 was 9lbs 7 oz at 38 weeks.
however, i was induced at 38 weeks with dd and although she was only 8lb 3(she would have been about 9 at term) it was a really easy birth, 6 pushes, no stitches, tears nothing and i think it would have been the same at term as she was very compact, unlike ds who had huge shoulders
although its more likely you will have amnother big baby, its not always the case, this baby could be lighter and daintier.

dd 7lb 11oz-took an hour to stitch me up
ds 9lb 10oz-not a stitch

dd2 9lbs 10oz, not a stitch, maybe it was luck of draw, but I feel it was because I remained calm, (well as much as you can in that situation) and listened to everything the mw was telling me. Hoping this one's the same but ya just never know.

Katierocket

I feel for you. My SiL's children got bigger and bigger with each one. The last one was 11 pounds something.

However she said: 'well actually....I think of the earlier ones as warm up stretches'

Bless her she kept her sense of humour. She also kept hold of the anaesthesiologist's hand though, didn't let him leave till she was well and truly numbed for a good two hours!

My other SiL was told she was having a 12lb boy. She booked a section. He came out at 10lbs. She was still relieved!

Good luck

Rachel

My bestest friend had a 9lb 12oz girl. Not the biggest baby but.... it was an undiagnosed breech which she had at a birthing centre without any drugs, Dr's or intervention and the labour was very, very fast (hence no time to transfer to hospital). And she only had a 2nd degree tear (and I don't know anyone who was actually aware of a tear happening so don't be fretting over that)!

Hoping to hear back from you with the 'oh it was a breeze' details very soon! Best wishes.

My dd weighed 9lbs 2oz and I had an 8 hour labour (she was my first) with only gas and air. I didn't tear or have an episiotomy. But I did crush my dp's hand a bit ! . Subsequent births are said to be easier, you'll be fine, try to relax, stress will only make it worse.

Be upright!!!! (if you're mobile) You gain about 30% capacity in the perineal area and are much less likely to tear. On all fours or standing, supported from behind should help free the shoulders if they stuck, although if you have hospital midwives, they may want you on your back to hoik the infant out. That said, if they start to get out the tools, standing up/ changing position may well be worth your while. Good luck.

ps: my sister had her first at 8lb13oz (she's quite a small woman) without a stitch. My first was 8lb12oz and I had three stitches, but my friend's was 5lb something and she also had three stitches. I'm not sure it can be entirely related to baby's size...

You're less likely to tear with 2nd or subsequent babies anyway. I had a 10lb 13oz baby with just a few grazes and no pain relief other than a pool. Giving birth in water is supposed to be good for reducing tears, so might be worth thinking about. Good luck!