Would you try for a VBAC with a bigger baby?

[MyCatScaresDogs]

Just that, really. DS1 was 50th percentile, via EMCS after failed induction, born at 42 weeks (8lbs 8oz).

DS2 looks to be bigger. Had a presentation scan yesterday and they estimated weight on the 77th percentile, with a large tummy - couldn’t measure the head as too far down. All looks fine.

I’m now really concerned about the idea of VBAC. I’m 5’3” and this would be a first vaginal delivery. I suspect I have a small pelvis (size 3 feet) though midwife said no correlation between shoe size and pelvic size. Age 38. My big fears are baby getting stuck, instrumental delivery, and bad tearing.

Plan A was to wait and see if I went into labour and book a section for maybe 10 days overdue. I’m wondering whether we should plan for an earlier section or just go ELCS.

Thoughts? Is this normal “cold feet”? Or appropriate realism?!

And why is nobody sitting down with you to give proper reasoned and balanced advice? You shouldn’t have to be digging in your own time for basic statistics on risks.

I’m not a petite person but four of my friends are, I stick out like a sore thumb when we are out together, and all of them had bigger babies than I did. Friend one is 5 1 and a small size eight, massive bump with a 9 15 baby, hospital but not assisted birth. Friend two is 5 2 and slim/muscular, baby 9 13 and a home birth, friend three was a hospital VBAC and baby was over two pounds heavier than her first at 10 1 (not instrumental and small tear), then friend four, again a petite lady, pops out her little one at 11 5, again a regular vaginal delivery. We talk a lot about intimate things so if anyone had ongoing issues they would say so

Mine was 8 8 and I’ve got five inches of height on all of them. I’m certain you can’t tell just by looking.

@neonglow, there doesn’t really appear to be any balanced advice on offer from my hospital - if there are no physical contraindications to VBAC, they “always” advise a VBAC because it’s “always” safer. So safe that they prefer you to labour down the corridor from the operating theatre rather than in the MLU on a different floor....

But they clearly take the view that a difficult instrumental delivery is preferable to a section, which is not a view I share (for me personally, whatever the clinical explanation is).

Basically, in view of the rather dubious advice on offer so far about recovery time after vaginal delivery (not having had one, I wouldn’t know but sounded a tad optimistic - I mean, even if you didn’t tear, surely your body is going to take time to adjust to a new normal?), I don’t trust the consultant to provide objective information.

As I said, they have been clear they will sign off on a section but they have hammed up the risks of one, eg respiratory issues for the baby, which I understand are more of an issue pre-39 weeks. Whereas I’d be more interested in them comparing, objectively, a straightforward section (as there’s no reason to think an ELCS would be anything but) with an assisted or more complicated delivery (which is statistically more likely for me in view of age and being a VBAC patient).

@VisionQuest, that is exactly what I’m afraid of....sounds nasty. I can’t see it would be any less painful than a well-managed and planned section.

After you have baby I’d definitely give feedback to the hospital on this, really goes against the guidelines for informed choice.

I had an EMCS at 9cm with first baby, he was 10lb 5. I had a VBAC (induced) 3.5yrs later, knew he would be big again but was induced almost two weeks earlier. Had a normal birth of 10lb baby but did lose 2.5litres and have a 3B tear. However, I’ve recovered and will go for VBAC for next baby

My 2nd baby was an attempted Vbac,he was 10lb 6oz. I had loads of growth scans so knew he'd be a good size.
Ended up with another EMCS as I didn't progress,I hadn't been induced I just don't seem to dilate!
I believe the position of the baby is far more important than the size for a successful vaginal delivery.

At your age, not planning any more and a likely larger than average baby with a smaller than average you I'd choose ELCS. I'd want more factors in my favour before trying VBAC.

Having had a vaginal delivery myself I didn't find it a particularly important or valuable experience, and having experienced EMCS then recovery whilst caring for a toddler too I'd rather avoid that. The only way you definitely avoid EMCS is ELCS.

I'm 41 had my 2nd son through VBAC, 6 weeks ago. He had jumped to 90th centile in the last month of pregnancy. i was determined not to have another c-section though, as last time I had to have a general anaesthetic and didn't even see the birth. So I was induced at 40+2, had episiotomy and forceps and I got my precious birth moment I'd missed before. He was 9lb4 and is perfect.