Big babies and second time choices

[mamablondie2]

Hi

My first baby was 12 days late and weighed 9lbs, I had an intervention free birth but did get a third degree tear. Four days before she was born my measurements were not indicating that she would be this big.

I’m having a growth scan at 36 weeks this time to see if baby is looking big and seriously considering asking to be induced early if he/she is. Does anyone have any experience of this? Did it help? At what point would induction need to happen?

I have posted previously about whether to consider a C-section or not and this is just something else I am looking into in order to make a decision

Thanks

DS1 was 10lb at 42 weeks, unexpectedly - hadn't been measuring big or anything. Had growth scans in my 2nd pregnancy and DS2 was estimated at 9lb13 at 38+6, plus my fluid level had increased, so I went in for induction a couple of days later and he was born at 39+2 weighing 9lb12oz. I didn't have a 3rd degree tear with the first though, and I think that might sway me more towards a CS if still symptomatic.

Is 9lb especially big enough to warrant a c-section? For me it wasn’t. I had growth scans and ultimately decided on a home birth for number 2 and 3.

You should just do what you feel is best. If that’s a csection then go for it. Good luck!

My first DD was 10lbs, 12 days overdue. Was induced when I was 10 days over. Ended up with emergency section. Three weeks before I had DD2 it was decided an elective section would be best. She was 2 days early and weighhed 9lbs 7. DS, was 10lbs8 and eight days early lol. More than likely if you have had a big baby you will again. I never measured big on any of my babies but I knew they were.

Hi OP, my last baby was also big (9lb 10) at 10 days overdue and I’m currently 34 weeks and considering an induction at 40 weeks (due to me being 40).

It’s a tricky one to weigh up as induction itself carries an increased risk of perineal tears for second+ time mums. There is an
induction fact sheet somewhere on the NHS site that is very helpful in comparing risks of different scenarios.

I’ve also found the Thinking Midwife blog to be quite useful and interesting reading - I’ll try to link both.

Midwife Thinking blog

“ A Cochrane Review comparing induction of labour before 40 weeks for a suspected big baby with waiting for spontaneous labour, found that induction decreased the incidence of shoulder dystocia from 6.8% to 4.1%. However, the review also found an increased rate of perineal tearing in the induction group of 2.6% compared to 0.7% in the spontaneous labour group; and an increase in the treatment of jaundice for the baby (11% compared to 7%). ”

I opted for a c-section for my big baby (10lbs 10oz). Part of the reasoning was that my midwife wasn't keen on inducing me before I was overdue. I would have attempted induction had it been available.

Hi OP,

I agree with the above, based on my own experience. I was induced with my first as baby was measuring large - but will add I pushed for the Induction as I scared myself silly about having to birth a 10lb baby. He came out via csection as the induction failed on his due date at 9lbs 10oz and the midwives were relieved that he came out this way - their words! His head was massive!

So, second time around I didn't mess around - I opted for a section and they whole heartedly agreed it was the right move. My elective was actually a lovely, lovely experience albeit very painful afterwards.

In the end, with both of them being so large (9lbs 2oz at 37 weeks) I am grateful they were born via section. Doesn't mean people can't birth that size, they can and they are my heroes!

Go with what is right for you. Xx

Oh and that I agree that the second baby will probably be as large - based on own experience

I had an expected big baby after being induced at 12 days over. DC was 11 lbs 2 oz, born vaginally and it took a long time to get over that. Had ventouse and a lot of urine leakage after. Felt uncomfortable for a long time. I was a bit worried about it happening again and even considered not having more children.

I was under a consultant for second baby after first baby over 4kg. They did a scan at 28 weeks and tried to get me off their books saying baby was tracking just above average, but not big. I insisted on another later scan and they said again baby not massive, but big tummy which is a sign of gestational diabetes. So I was tested and had developed it. One special diet later I was induced at 5 days over due ( as per my trusts policy for only letting you go 5 days over with gestational diabetes.)DC2 was 8 lbs 9 oz and birth was easy enough, I did tear but no intervention and healed very quickly.

Following

My first was 10lb 1 at 39 weeks

Currently 4wks with #3 so very curious

Supposed to say #2

Differenr experience here. DC1 was 12 days overdue and 9lb 9oz, induced, back to back, natural birth with a third degree tear but no intervention (epidural doesn’t count!).

I was worried about being back to back again the second time, and also about having another overdue / large baby. Hospital agreed to induce me at 40w, the scans are never very reliable for size tbh.

Anyway, DC2 arrived promptly and naturally at 39+6, weighing a petite little 7lb. I hardly felt her come out in comparison!

9lb at 12 days over isn’t enormous, so perhaps see how things are a bit closer to the time, it doesn’t sound like you have need to panic although the unknown is a worry. Good luck.

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat in itself no it’s
more that I’m looking to reduce the risk of another 3rd (or worse, 4th) degree tear and my consultant said size of the baby was a contributing factor.

We know we want a third baby in the future too and I’m trying to keep this in mind as the decision I make now could affect the delivery I have then.

DD1 10lb 42 weeks. DD2 9.5lb 42 weeks. Pregnancy with DC3 now so hoping the trend continues.

Nobody suggested any extra scans or different birth plan because of 10lb first time!

Just interested in this thread as my first, was 10lb 4 (unexpectedly). Vaginal delivery but needed episiotomy and ventouse. Those of you who had big babies first time, was anything mentioned second time by midwives in terms of options or did you have to push for it? I think I'll request a GD test next time (no reason for me to have had one in this pregnancy).

My first baby was born bang on due date at 8lb 4oz, she got shoulder dystocia, I had an episiotomy then I haemorrhaged. So when I started measuring big (despite the fact my bump didn’t look big), I was sent for regular growth scans. By 37 weeks baby estimated 9lb8oz!!!!! Consultant advised me based on my previous birth that it would be sensible to have an elective c section which was booked in for 38+6. I ended up with my waters breaking and going into labour the day before so slightly more rushed/emergency csection but still an amazing experience compared to my first birth. I was told they don’t induce early for suspected big babies at our trust due to it increasing the risk of ending with a csection or more complications anyway. But they will induce on due date to avoid you going over by too much. Having a previous difficult or traumatic birth doesn't mean it will happen again but I was told to be aware it does increase the risk slightly with another big baby.

Forgot to add they tested me twice for GD which I didn’t have and baby was born 9lb 9oz at 38+5. Everyone was very shocked as to where I had been hiding him

My DS was 10.5lbs, I never measured big at all. I had shoulder dystocia and a second degree tear but the dystocia was sorted quickly and I healed well, no problems whatsoever (urine loss etc). I’ve been told I can request a c-section this time but my consultant did say that she’d recommend vaginal birth unless the baby is looking really really large again. (I’ll have some extra scans). Because I healed wel from the vaginal birth that is where my preference is, the healing from a C section scares me.

I don't think 9lb is particularly big for a baby born 12 days after due date. My DS was 9lb4, born 11 days after due date, and I thought that was big but not huge.

There is not a direct correlation between size of baby and birth complications; sometimes you can have a huge baby and a straightforward birth, and sometimes baby can be small but you can still have shoulder dystocia, tearing and other issues.

I'm pregnant with DC2 and the advice I've had is that second births are often more straightforward (obviously not always).

If I were you I'd do my homework and consider the risks v benefits of the options using guidelines and statistics from reliable sources.

My preference would be for a vaginal birth if you had one first time and would like a third child. Could you get some advice about the causes of tearing and how to reduce the risk?

DD1 was 9lb8. Not sure if it makes any difference but I am (or was!) a small built size 8. I had an emergency C-section with her as they discovered during labour that she was lying in a difficult presentation. I was a bit worried about DC2 as I heard that second babies are often bigger. They wouldn't consider a C-section for number 2 though as my first one was only because of the presentation.

I was advised to try to keep mobile during labour and try different birthing positions as that is often considered helpful in delivering larger babies. I didn't have much joy with that personally and ended up delivering on my back. I had a 3rd degree tear like you but it healed well. DC2 was actually slightly smaller at 9lb2 so went against the trend.

I would say as this is your second delivery and you managed intervention free last time, this one is likely to be easier. Did you have any problems with recovery from your tear? If so, you could ask for induction although I have heard induced labours can be more unpleasant.

FWIW, even though I had the "worst" of the 3rd degree tears (3c) and had to be stitched up on theatre, I recovered from the birth more quickly than after my C-section even though I had had what I thought was a reasonably quick recovery from that too.

I was induced for a suspected big baby - I was told due to my bump and scan measurements that baby would be 10.5-11lbs; consultant told me I should be induced at 37 weeks. I refused and agreed to be induced on my due date. 56 hours of labour, a 2litre haemorrhage, an episiotomy, kidney failure and some scary looking forceps later my 8.12lbs son was born. I wouldn't ever want to be induced again! He just wasn't ready to come. 2 weeks earlier would've been even worse!!!

@turnthebiglightoff was that your first baby?

@NameChange30 completely understand what your saying but that isn’t what my consultant has said, he attributed the tear to my baby’s size and strong fetal ejection reflex that kicked in for me during my labour. So for my own peace of mind I would feel better knowing the weight. I have read that more hands on birth can help reduce the risk and I’m more than happy to try that if that’s the case. I feel like it’s more of an ‘every little helps’ situation so definitely going to keep educating myself before I make a decision.

A big baby does not necessarily meaning tearing. I am petite and my first was 9lb 2oz and born back to back in water with no tearing. He was on 98th percentile for head circumference. My second was only 7lb 6oz and I had a small tear. I did perineal massage the first time which may have helped.

Just place marking for now and will be back later to give my experience but

• you need 3 growth scans for them to be accurate
• 90% of first time vaginal births results in a tear or cut which needs stitching