Anyone induced due to "big" baby?

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Had a growth scan last week and baby was measured on 95th centile (34 weeks). Got sent to see a consultant due to the growth scan. Had the appointment today and discussed various options (induction/natural labour etc.).

We are going back in three weeks (will be 38 weeks) to make a decision on a possible induction or hopefully going into labour naturally.

Has anyone been induced due to baby measuring "big"? I know scans aren't always accurate with measurements and weight but just curious how your experience was if you were induced - or if you decided against induction. Thanks x

I was. Induction ended in c section as baby wouldn't fit out of me. The surgeon came to see me later and explained that even if DD had been smaller, I would not have been able to have her naturally as my pelvis is extremely narrow. More like a male's is what she said.

Later when I was having DD2, I had a planned c section due to the issue.

Wow @AjasLipstick!! I'm worried that an induction may lead to a csection - but consultant said that's not the case.

A friend had a planned CS because baby was estimated to be 9lb. He was 6lb 6 oz. huge difference.

An induction does tend to lead to a cascade of intervention... do some research and find out the facts. The most important thing is a healthy mum and baby... it can be hard to argue against consultants.

Well OP I don't know the figures and facts but I think, from what I've heard, that a lot of inductions do end in a section. Both my babies were over 9 pounds.

Yes but no induction, just a planned CS, which I was very happy about. Glad I did as he was 10lbs 9!

I had scans that estimated baby to be on a centile that would make them about 9-10 lbs at when born. I opted for a c- section as my DH had large shoulders and was told that the shoulders are what can cause probs rather than head. DS was 11.2 when born.

I was induced at term for a baby they thought would be 10lbs. I’m sorry to say it did end in failed forceps then an emergency c section under general (due to the time critical nature, not my choice).

He was 9lbs 1oz.

This is a long time ago, but my consultant with my first in 1992 sent me for an x-ray (!) due to this issue. They kept me waiting for over an hour, I thought better of subjecting baby to radiation and walked out. I spoke to antenatal teacher who was a midwife about the issue and they asked me what my shoe size was. Thing is, I am 5'10 with size 8 feet and was never going to have tiny babies. I did agree to be induced at 40+7, pessaries worked so my waters were broken at about 2pm and 9lb 4 baby made his appearance in the birth pool at 6.30pm with just a small tear. Sewing that up was the worst bit of the whole experience. I would be wary of an early induction as could lead to a cascade of intervention. I suppose, what I am saying is, just because a baby is big, doesn't mean pelvic insufficiency if mum is also big. The bones of your pelvis are designed to move when you are in labour too, squatting positions help this and lying flat on your back doesn't. Talk to your midwives who are the experts in vaginal delivery - consultants see difficult births all the time, but will not usually have had the experience of seeing big babies born easily as there would be no reason for them to be involved unless there is a problem. Consider all your options and I hope it all works out for you.

Induced at 39 weeks due to growth scan estimating baby on 98th centile. Induction failed as after 2 pessaries still wasn’t even slightly dilated, ended up being sent home after 3 days and having a planned section at 40 +5. DD was 10lb 2oz.

I was nearly induced as my DS was estimated between 10-11lb. I went the day before I was induced and he was only 7.2 but as my growth scan was based on head and legs, they weren't that wrong as even today, he has a large head and long legs.

I did with DC2 as DC1 had got stuck and ended with emcs and heart issues as a result. Plus DC2 was measuring a lot bigger than DC1. Ended up on the table but managed to get him out with ventouse and avoid a section, 2 weeks early and he would have ended up way over 9lbs if he'd gone to term and definitely been a section.

They are usually wrong in the predictions but I know that won’t be much help to you atm. I was induced at bang on 40 weeks, not due to babies suspected size (previous babies were just over 9lb) but I was struggling with extreme gallbladder pain. Anyway I’m so glad I was as he came out a few hours later 10lb 9oz. No assisted delivery or c-section.

Dsis was sent for growth scans as was measuring ‘very big’, baby arrived at 41 weeks just under 7lb....

Thank you for all of your replies - definitely something to think about as I want as natural a labour as possible.

Have a midwife appt next week to discuss birth options so will speak to her and see what she says. X

Yep I was induced on due date as the baby was measuring large for dates but the induction completely failed and I didn't even start to go in to labour so ended up having c-section 2 days later. Ds1 was 10lbs exactly.

Ds2 was also measuring large for dates therefore he was delivered via a planned c-section at 38+6 and he was 9lb 11oz.

I'm not able to have any more because apparently my womb stretched dangerously thin with ds2. ☹️

I found this article really helpful when thinking about birthing DS. evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/

DS1 was 10 pound 2 so DS2 was expected to be huge but he was smaller.

I was induced with both my babies. One was 6lb4oz, the other 9lb6oz. The big one was an easier birth, and a very easy recovery. Neither induction led to further interventions, and I'm small. However, induction itself raises the risk of shoulder dystocia, which is more likely with a large baby. I measured off the top of the percentile chart with my bigger baby, but at my hospital they don't induce because of size, I believe it's contrary to current guidelines to do so. I was induced as I was approaching 42 weeks.

I have the same thing, baby over 95th percentile on scan. Being induced for this in 3 days on my due date.

Consultant was very honest, the evidence is not completely conclusive either way about whether to induce, c section or leave for natural labour to take over.

All I'd say is that I was offered induction at 38 weeks but turned it down as wanted to give baby a chance to come on his own. Didn't want to leave it until (possibly) 42 weeks so have compromised with induction on due date.

Good luck with your choice, I feel your dilemma!!

Hi, I was induced on my due date as baby started measuring large from week 37. Induction failed for me too, four days in labour to not progress. Drip got me to ten centimeters but my baby wasn't low enough to come, failed forceps and a c section later out came 10.8 baby boy! Stand your ground, I was exhausted and found it hard to argue my case. If I had been given the section earlier I would of recovered quicker instead I have been quite poorly as I was so exhausted. Good luck lovely.

I was induced at 38 weeks as baby measuring big. Ended up with emergency c section. DS was 9lb 4oz. Never again.

I think I had the worst consultant in history (due in 1 week). Baby is huge, this is my 3rd ds and I just know it, I am a large lady and he is right from my pubic bone to right under my breast (I feel his feet there every day and ouch!). When he moves its like a scene from a sci fi movie and he has torn my abdominal muscles. Both my previous ds were 9lbs and vaginally delivered without any tears or episiotomy but this boy is in the 95th percentile for everything. I asked my consultant if I could have stretch and sweeps starting from 39 weeks as both my sons were late and had substantial meconium in their water by delivery resulting in emergency inductions. He refused as I didn't need it. He also refused to book my induction for one week post due date despite being a high risk pregnancy because again he thought I wouldn't need it, thankfully the midwife intercepted him as i became increasingly distressed and forced him to book me in.

My community midwife is quite concerned that I haven't had the option of a section discussed this time as she can feel baby is huge and likely to be at least 10 lbs. She gave me an in depth conversation about babies shoulders getting stuck just incase so I would be prepared if it happens. The gorgeous woman that she is, she overrode the consultant and gave me a stretch and sweep but sadly my cervix although open and soft is posterior so she couldn't really get in there so just have to ride it out. I don't think my hospital offer inductions or sections strictly on size .

My Ds was measuring big, 95th percentile, the doctors kept telling me I was having a very big baby, great thing to tell a 1st time mother but yet they still let me go 12 days over, I was induced and he was 8.6. Not the massive baby they had been telling me. Was also induced with Dd at 39 weeks and she was 9.2. No complications, had both naturally.

I was a week late with DS and they did a scan, told me he might be as big as 8 lbs. DD had been 7lbs5ozs and I gulped, as I thought at the time of her birth I would never manage delivery. The scan was on a Friday and I was induced on the Monday. DS turned out to be 9lbs4ozs.

I don't think they're very good at estimating weight.

Do your research on statistics either by speaking to a midwife or independently. A lot of babies who measure big end up having some form of intervention. In the end it's what is best for both of you. However, the baby could be at risk of shoulder dystosia.

twice the first time on my due date. a few hours later ds was born 10lb 13oz. Second time at 37 weeks as had been heavily monitered due to last babys size. Was told this baby was "very large" lots of fucking awful strong contractions that did zip but keep me awake and in pain a drip and an epidural and he was born at 7lb 8oz the smallest of all my kids.....

Getting induced again on Monday night as baby is over 95th percentile and full engaged with feet under ribs - I'm 5'11 with curves but feck this - it hurts!

Was induced with daughter and requested forceps due to her being stuck as I have a tilted uterus and had no issues after and neither did she.

Have been warned though if 2nd pessary doesn't work then C section and I totally agreed.