How difficult is natural birth with a big baby?

[PSL1990]

My first baby was 9lbs 5oz (around 4.3kg). I had an EMCS due to baby heart rate after long labour and failed ventouse. I had an epidural at 7cm.

I want to go for a VBAC next time and my chances of having another big baby are high.

For those of you who have had a 9lbs+ baby, how did it go? Did you year and if so, how bad? Was it slower and more painful than having a smaller baby?

Thanks

DS3 was 9lb 4oz. Managed fine on gas and air. Was the quickest and easiest of my 3 labours. I didn't tear. #fanny like a bucket. 😁

I had a 10lb+ baby at home and had a horrible 2nd degree year that required surgery. I tore with the 2nd and 3rd babies too even though they were smaller and the midwife with my third (all home births) said ultimately its down to a large head circumference rather than weight that will cause the issues! (Mine all has massive heads)

Good luck.

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat wow, 10.2, well done! How big were your second and third? I've read it's more common for your second to be bigger that first

Your thread flashed up on actives convos - it is not size but position that matters. My last baby was 1.4kg - that is not a typo as he was early. No one examined me after birth and no one would listen when I tried to say things were wrong. You had a small baby was all that would say. I had an ectopic years later. When the camera went in they discovered masses of scar tissue and my bowel and bladder in wrong position. This all had to corrected. My gynae surgeon was horrified but not surprised. My point don’t assume big baby equals bad birth. It doesn’t.

My second was 8.10 and third was 9.2. They were on the same growth curve as the first but born at earlier gestations.

My biggest baby was 9lb 6oz and was also my easiest birth. No tears, quick labour, water birth at home. Weight isn't really the issue, it's the head circumference that does the damage!

My second was 10lbs, was a quick easy labour and birth. First was 8 1/2lbs that was a long labour but no complications.

I remember the midwife saying to me, "oh here comes babies little head" and DP exclaimed "that's not little, it's massive". He does have quite a big head, don't think that was the best time to let me know though 😂

I’ve had three babies and the biggest (9lbs 8oz) was the only one that didn’t cause any tearing

I was in that situation - emergency section for 1st (proper emergency, not just unplanned) and being pressured to try vbac for 2nd. I did try - but it didn't work out that way. My plan was, ok I'll try as long as everything goes to plan but as soon as it's not, I'm having a section. So when things stopped progressing that's what I did. She did turn out to be 10lb3, and I was just glad to be conscious for this one!

If you want to try vbac, do, but have it as you're best case scenario, and have a plan b that you can live with otherwise.

My DS2 was 10lb 11oz. I measured spot on throughout the pregnancy and there was never any indication he would be big. I had a very straightforward, natural birth. Didn't need any intervention or epidural. No issues, other than a standard tear that I had no issues with. I’m just glad I didn’t know how big he was before! Physically, I’m a size 12, if that helps!

My last DS was 11lb 7 and was by far the easiest birth! I had a few superficial tears but nothing that didn't heal within a few weeks. The only lasting damage has been a weaker pelvic floor.

I think you need to focus on information regarding first VBs. once a baby has exited once or more things tend to be looser/easier and stats get better.

My Sis is currently recovering from a VBAC (1st VB) with a 9lb 5 baby. She was very badly damaged and also lost a lost of blood. Sorry it's not a cheerful anecdote.

My 2 girls were big babies and I found their births much easier than my 2 smaller boys.

I was always super paranoid about tearing so listened to the midwife at the pushing stage. When she said small pushes I held back even though my body wanted to push hard. I don't know if that's why i didn't tear or not but it might be.

I do think with any childbirth how fit the mother is play a huge part in how easy the birth is (or not). Women who don’t exercise and eat junk can have huge babies; but often aren’t able to push them out. My sil’s baby boy was born at 9 pounds and was in a very good position, but she wore herself out after 6 hours and needed an emergency c-section. My sis had awful positions for both babies (that resulted in tearing) but was both able to deliver both fairly easily in 10-14 hour labours because she kept up her fitness.

My Sis is very fit. Prior to pregnancy ran half marathons and was still attending the gym at over 30 weeks. I'm sure fitness helps but it's not cause and effect.

My ds was born 2 weeks ago weighing 9.5 pounds. Very easy birth. He was born 56 minutes after arriving at birth centre. Only a few stitches. A lot easier than my dd who was 8 pounds. Needed an episiotomy and forcep delivery with her. Took a long time to recover. So in my experience babies weight didn't mean much. Good luck!

Actually re-Reading teddy's post I'd prefer an EMCS over tearing from a malpositioned baby, unless the tear was small and very superficial.
Aftercare for surgical wounds and recovery is much easier than for a mangled fanjo (I've experienced both). So much nicer to not sit on nor piss and shit near the wound site.

I’ve had a tiny ( less than 5.5lb) back to back baby that was 3rd degree and a larger (8lb) better positioned baby with only grazes so I do think it’s position of baby and position of mum for pushing that contributes more than the actual weight of the baby.

Mine was 9lb 2 and just had gas and air, I did however have a 2.5 hour pushing stage and pelvic damage after BUT he was back to back so I think it’s about position, not size too!

I had a 9.9 and a 10.6. First was 12 hours active labour and a few stitches. Second was 4 hours start to finish- made the hospital with 27 minutes to spare. Once again-a few stitches but nothing too drastic. I firmly believe that unless you have a tiny pelvis, the size of the baby is pretty irrelevant- it’s all about presentation and luck.

Presentation, luck, head size and your build. I had 7lb babies and 3rd and 2nd degree tears. I have a small build. I think there is something in making smaller babies if you are smaller yourself. For info I thought a third degree tear was horrendous but the reality was for me it was a really positive experience. I know that sounds strange and I know it can be horrendous but I healed really well. I don't wish it didn't happen. Overall I had two amazing birth experiences.

I’m not huge framed but I do have child bearing hips! I didn’t have any pain relief because the gas and air made me feel worse than the pain did. Which suggests that big baby does not necessarily mean more psinful.

My second baby was average at 7.7lbs but I'm really petite with a tiny pelvis. So my midwife said it was similar to an average woman delivering a huge baby. I had 3 puffs of gas and air, no other pain relief as I left it too late to come to hospital. It was painful but not massively and very quick. My back to back labour with my 6lbs 12oz daughter was much much worse, even though I had pethidine and an epidural as soon as I was allowed.

I had an 11lb baby naturally and it was much quicker and easier than my first baby which was 8lb 12. I recovered much quicker as well weirdly