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

First baby 7.11 hours n hospital very long birth with epidural but ultimately all went smoothly and just a graze!

Second baby 10.11 at home. Shorter labour in a pool. She did get a bit stuck for a few mins on the way out, as she came hand first. So I actually pushed out huge head and arm together. But basically all fine a no tears at all-made recovery much easier.

My second was 9lb 8 and straight forward. My first was only 6lb 12 but double breech, bum first and bent in half so double the width! Normal fairly easy birth both times

My first was 9lb6oz and had his hand beside his head, water birth with gas and air, 12 hours total about 20-30 mins of pushing. A second degree tear but the damage mainly caused by his hand.
DD was on course to be 10lb+ but was born at 38+0 and was only 8lb, 3 hours start to finish, about 3 pushes and no time for any pain relief or pool, still a 2nd degree year but healed much quicker.
If you are able to stay in a position where you aren’t lying down, gravity can assist with a big baby.

9.1 baby in a birth pool. No tear. Much much less painful than his 7.3 sister 2 years before.

My first was 10lb 2oz and I had a good birth, minor grazing and tears (that did require some stitches). I had the biggest baby out of my NCT group by far (who all had much smaller babies) but probably the 'easiest' birth as I had no intervention and minor tears.

I am now pregnant with my second and expecting it to be bigger. I am still hoping for a 'natural' birth. As others have said, and in our NCT group experience, baby size isn't actually an indicator of a difficult labour. It depends on a lot more.

Having a big baby can be really daunting but it doesn't mean a difficult birth. I usually bleed during smear tests and find them so uncomfortable (and was told by the nurses I have a 'small hole') so no idea how I managed to get such a whopper out so well!