11lb+ babies - Anyone with positive vaginal birth stories??

[ILiveForNachos]

Basically had a large baby last time (10lb2oz) vaginally with no issue, intervention and pretty much was up and about the next day without really anything feeling like I’d had a baby. Baby was expected to be 8lb so wasn’t aware until she was here how big she actually was.

This time baby is due to be bigger and, after such a positive bagunal birth last time, my gut is saying so it again but my logically head is saying it’s bigger, so it’s not possible.

Does anyone have any positive vaginal birth stories for me (and thanks to anyone who’s commented on my other post also!).

Feeling like I just want to gather as many facts and experiences as possible!

*no issue and no intervention

Mine was 11 and a half and 8 days late. So they induced (yuck) but the delivery was fine with a little tearing.

However, had a hemorrhage after and needed a transfusion. I was old though so it may have played a part!

Good luck by the way! (I will say that she slept really well from the get go and I often wonder if it was her size...)

I didn't have such a big baby first time compared to you (9lb2 - although labour was terrible) however was told my second baby would he loads bigger, went for growth scan etc and she was 7lb13. (I had a section anyway).

Just wanted to share that they're not always right.

Good luck x

Tiny friend had a 13.5lb baby on just gas and air - all fine. She's a hero!

i had my 8.7lb midget cut out

@OnlineAlienator - good grief! She really is x

I think if you already had a 10lb+ baby by vaginal delivery with no issues, you'll probably be fine with a slightly bigger one next time around. My gynae told me subsequent vaginal births are usually easier. And an obstetrician told me that head circumference can be a bigger factor than weight (although width of shoulders can be issue too, based on my experience of shoulder dystocia, but that's not the only factor of course).

If I were you I would stay positive and open minded, aim for a vaginal birth but ask your midwife/doctor about possible risks and interventions.

Thank you everyone. I really do want to try for a vaginal birth so will think about how to try and do that as safely as possible for baby and I. I wish they could tell more easily how big a baby your body can cope with!

I really don't want a c-section because of all the additional considerations after (not driving, issues with lifting baby in and out of cot to breast feed, not being able to lay on side to feed straight away, not being able to pick up my current daughter, the fact that it is major surgery etc) but I appreciate this may be the outcome anyway so will remain open to all possibilities.

I’ve had two big-ish babies (9lb8 and 9lb9), second birth was considerably easier than the first. Minimal tearing and only needed gas and air.
I was told to think of your insides like an arran jumper - once they are streached out of shape there is no putting them back. Second baby should be much easier even if bigger.
I’m currently pregnant with no 3 &4 and clinging onto the hope of an easy birth because, as you say, a section is major surgery and I don’t fancy the recovery.

@ILiveForNachos - just wanted you to know that if it does come to having a section, I had one and it was a great experience.

I have a now 3 yo son too. The first week was the worst but I was amazed how quickly I recovered. I was driving much sooner than 6 weeks too (checked with my insurance and no issue).

Hopefully it won't come to it but just so you know I was glad I had mine x

Yeah, i had a csec having dreaded the idea and it was actually fine - you just manage!

Agree with PP, I also had a section and i was amazed at how quick i recovered.
I had by section at 12.30pm (emergency) and was able to stand and walk although extremely wobbly by 10pm although the midwives asked me not to but i had no choice, they werent very helpful and i had to get up to get my baby.
It was definatly painful for a week or so but after that i was almost back to normal, scar is barley visable, i was able to breastfeed straight away with no problems and im honestly glad i got it.
BUT i am not telling you to get one, you do what you feel is right, i just wanted to tell you that its not all bad.

Friend had 10lb 8 baby first time and was told from her second was bigger so went for c section. Baby was 7lbs. They got it wrong.

She had some complications from the c section and ended up back in hospital. Not ideal.

They say bigger babies are actually easier to get out, mine was 9lb 6 and came in an hour after induction and morphine and no tearing, my waters also didnt break til late into labour but i was also up and going to the chinese restaurant a few hours after birth, didnt feel a thing... the blood was the most frustrating thing.

Am now due my second baby and just going to Opt for the Morphine again as i didn't feel a thing on it so may as well go for the easiest pain relief option as its just a injection in the leg

My 1st 9 pound 4 3 weeks early 2nd was 10 pound 8 both vaginal delivery, my 3rd was 11 pound 8, 3 weeks early emergency c sec, he was the last, I'm only 5 ft but seem to breed giants x

ny friend had a 13.5lb baby on just gas and air - all fine. She's a hero!

she basically gave birth to a toddler. Fucking hell.

Op just wanted to point out that they cabt actually measure accurately baby sizes. So it could well be smaller (or larger). I had a backwards 10 pounder and that was quite hard. I think if someone seemed convinced I was carrying anything bigger id probably opt for a csection. And I'm really quite against them (for myself).

Id see if there are statistics re incontinence , tearing etc for women with large babies and go from there.

My DS was 11lb 2oz. He was the quickest out (21 mins from start to finish) no intervention, no drugs...a million drs in there with me coz they were convinced he’d get stuck...but he didn’t. My little bruiser was perfect and I was fine 👍🏻 Although slightly miffed that all his clothes were too small 🙄😂 good luck!

Dc1 10lb9, dc2 10lb9, dc3 9lb15, dc4 13lb 5. I was a size 10/12 when dc4 was born on gas and air only with no stitches (I don't normally advertise this fact!) She was induced a week early as the scans showed she was 'around 10lb.' As an aside, in my experience, scans are notoriously wrong at getting the baby's weight correct.

And an obstetrician told me that head circumference can be a bigger factor than weight

This I think. I was told that head circumference bigger than 35 cms can be problematic (both of mine had bigger heads than that). Certainly my massive headed dc1 ended up as an emcs after pushing & then forceps couldn't dislodge him. He weighed six pounds nine ounces.

My Grandmothers had a whole bunch of 10 to 12 pounders at home with zero issues. All had much smaller heads than my two.