Opted for elective section - hope I made the right choice - wish I had a crystal ball

[gardeninggirl]

Have just come back from an appointment with the obstetrician. I am 38 weeks 3 days.

I have chosen an elective section for next week (39 weeks) - but kind of wish he had told me what I should do. I feel a bit strange now it is settled.

To explain, and stop waffling, 1st baby that we took a long time to conceive. But pregnancy good so far. Measuring v big for dates for whole of 3rd trimester so was sent for a growth scan at 36 weeks which showed baby was v big - well over 4 kilos at that time. Midwife and obstetician did not seem that worried, but I was sent for another scan at 38 weeks which I had on monday which shows baby now over 5 kilos (11 1bs) with 2 weeks of growing still to go .

They got me in to have bloods to rule out diabetes which were negative. Midwife at that scan seemed concerned and contacted consultant who I saw today. Unfortunately DH could not come with me to the appointment.
Consultant did not try to sway me either way but put the options out quite clearly (with the risks and benefits of each) - attempt vaginal delivery - hopefully with me going into labour spontaneously as he felt that was the best chance of a natural delivery - although he said they might have to consider induction if I went over dates and they would be concerned about allowing baby time to grow even bigger. Or planned C section. Apparently there are some US guidelines suggesting that elective section is considered if birth weight is thought to be over 5 kilos.

He did explain the growth scans can be out but did say both scans were consistently saying he is big and it went with my measurements clinically.

I think I have done the right thing - I know I was a big baby (10 iibs 4) and my mum had an emergency section cos I got stuck and distressed, but she died 3 yrs ago. I wish she was here to discuss it with .
I know I wanted a vaginal delivery, but every time the scan says even bigger, I lost a little bit more confidence in my ability to deliver such a big baby, especially as a first timer. I am not young (37) and as I said we spend yrs trying to concieve him. We have also had a few scares re movements and the thought of having to worry about fetal movements really closely for more weeks (as he is big there is inc risk of still birth) DH is very pro C section so he is very happy.

I just wished I had asked the obstetrician straight out 'what would you do if it was your wife'.
What a wus I am - I really just wanted them to say - 'this is what you must do'. Silly really. Just want my little boy here safely. Which of course is just like any other mum to be.

Don't know why I am posting really. Sorry for rambling
GG

I think most people would chose to have a c-section with a baby that was going to be 11lbs +. When i had my first there was a baby in scbu with her who was 12lbs at birth and his mu had an elective section too

I had an elective c-section with DS2 (I had a third degree tear after DS1 was born) and also wished for confirmation that I had made the right decision (the consultant said it was my choice). After I had decided both my GP and midwife said they would have made the same decision. At that stage I also just wanted the baby to be delivered safely asap. The c-section went really well and was as good an experience as could be expected - as I'm sure it will be for you. I think you've definitely made the right decision in your circumstances - best of luck!

I think you've made the right choice. If you prepare for an elective section, it can be a really good birth experience. If you try for a vaginal birth, there is a good chance you would end up with an emergency section, which is a horrible experience.

You might of course have a straightforward natural birth, but as you say it's a crystal ball situation and given the likely size of the baby plus fact it's your first and you are 37, it's less likely than if those factors weren't there.

I had an emergency section with my first. It was grim but a midwife told me afterwards that if I'd given birth to my ds naturally I'd have had a 4th degree tear and be "pooing out of the wrong hole". He was big and had an extra big head.

I would definitely have made the same decision as you as well. Re. asking your consultant what he'd advise his wife - is it not too late to ask this? I'm sure you could ring them and ask, even if you couldn't get another appointment in time...

I can understand you needing confirmation as to whether you have made the right decision or not, however the consultant is right in not swaying you when making your decision. It doen't matter what his choice for his wife would have been.

It sounds to me as if you are not sure that you have made the right choice.

One thing I would say is that if you wanted a vaginal delivery there is no reason not to try. It sounds as though your consultant thinks that too.

Scan have been known to be wrong as far as weight is concerned.

If you go into labour on your own before your C/S date, maybe that is something to consider.

Definitely discuss it again with your consultant if you are unsure - not for him to tell you what he would do, but to clarify your options. Good luck.

If your birth was going to be difficult than you made the right choice. An Elective c/s is much better than an emergency (calmer, safer, quicker recovery etc..).

The only woman I know well who had a baby over 10lbs suffered from very bad 'undercarriage' issues (for several years after). Not that all woman who have big babies have problems - I'm sure someone will come along and say they managed it!

Thank you for all your replies.
I am feeling a bit better this evening. I felt so so lost earlier. I really really wanted my mum to talk to.

I am very grateful to all those who posted telling me of their experiences - thank you all.Its great to hear that sections can be good experiences too.

I do agree Mears the Consultant was really good and was doing what was right. I spent over half an hour discussing all the options with him. He did not give me many hints as to what the best option was - although he seemed gloomy about a normal delivery if I needed induction and seemed to think it would be bad to go over dates.

So stupid to regress to a childlike state wanting them to 'just tell me what to do'. The rest of the time I'm a mature sensible rational person - capable of making decisions - well most of the time anyway! Because they had phoned me at home and asked me to come for an appointment to discuss the scan result I assumed that they were going to tell me what the best plan would be. It just seemed like the biggest decision I had made in my life - with potentially massive consequences IYSWIM? In future I might have asked to come back when DH there. Saying that he is very pro section.

I am happy with my decision now - like Spider mentioned big babies can get into trouble too. I thought big babies were healthier, it seems they sometimes have problems too. And like alot of you say - I may just have ended with up with an emergency section in an uncontrolled way, if I tried to deliver normally.

I guess I will never know what might have been .

Anyhow it will be amazing to meet my LO (or not so little - still can't beleive they think he is already 5 kilos at 38 weeks) next week as long as all goes well.

Thank you for all your posts again - Mumsnet is such a good place to come when your mind is in a whurl.
Please wish me luck - Thank you
GG

I think until you have been through any experience in life, then it is impossible to know what is best for you. You'll only know after the CS whether it is the right thing. Even if it's not, it aint the end of the world by a long shot, as you can easily have a VBAC next time. In many ways, an elective CS may allow you to be more positive about any future VBAC, whereas labour/induction with an emergency CS may put you off having any more kids full stop!

I elected for a CS both times and overall I was delighted with both births. There were little things that niggled me, but I guess that is the case for any mode of birth.

Best of Luck

Thanks Highlander,
The obs cons did say he thought there was roughly a 70 % chance that I might be able to have a successful VBAC next time - as long as I did not grow another humungous baby.

Trying not to worry about the mechanics of the section and just enjoy this weekend with DH. Have just gone out to watch Harry Potter with DH while we still can .

I went for a massive hike the w/e before DS1 was born. It just about bloody killed me; I was delighted to be officially confined to bed for a couple of days when DS1 arrived (not that I did).