Advice from mummas of big babies

[Motherhippo]

I’m 12 weeks pregnant with my second child. Have had the 12 weeks scan and everything is looking good!
My concern is that my first child was born 11lb 1oz (2 weeks overdue). The large size had not been picked up on with either scan nor by the midwife at my appointments.
It was a natural birth and because I handled labour so well, they did not believe as far dilated as I was. As a result I had no chance for pain relief other than gas and air (complete waste of time)
I had a third degree tear which took a long time to heal. I think it was about 7 months before my body healed.
I’m really worried about having a big baby again as I can’t have the prolonged healing process with a baby and 2.5 year old.
When I spoke to the midwife I’m still classed as “low risk” yet “higher risk” due to the tear.
As a result I don’t think I’ll have any extra scans other than the 20 week scan.
This is something that is really concerning me.
Any advice from mummas of big babies?

Hi. Congratulations on your pregnancy.

My 1st was nearly 10lbs - all previous scans and measurements had predicted her to be around the 8lb mark so her size was a bit of a shock. I had her naturally in the birthing pool but had a 2nd degree tear, pph and retained placenta.

My 2nd was low risk and initially I wasn't offered any extra scans so I paid for a few private scans between 28 & 36 weeks. These scans plus my bump measurement predicted that my ds was also a monster 😊 so my midwife referred me to the hospital team to discuss birthing options and planning. I was put forward for an induction at 39 weeks. All further scans predicted he would be 11lbs + ..... He was a perfect 9lbs 3 when he arrived after a very quick induction. No where near what they thought he would be.

Speak to your midwife and see what she recommends and get a private scan if you want to check on your baby's predicted weight but there is always a 10% margin of error.

Mine was 11lb 7oz and I am only tiny myself. I feel fairly certain that they missed GD. I had a C Section as (fortunately I guess) my epidural didn’t work and as I’d been awake for 2 days by this point I didn’t feel I could continue. I’m almost 12 weeks PP and I feel pretty much normal. I’m exercising etc and have healed well. In your position md if I have another I would absolutely have an ELCS

In my area, having delivered a baby bigger than 4.5kg is a trigger for growth scans in a second pregnancy. Having a 3rd degree tear would also normally warrant a consultant review and is an indication for elective CS according to NICE. So while it's your choice how you aim to deliver, I think you should ask at least for growth scans and consultant review at some point.

My first was 10lb and so I had scans at 30, 34 and 38 weeks second time. Ended up getting induced at 39 weeks as DS2 was measuring similarly huge and I developed excess fluid (polyhydramnios).

It's much higher than 10%, 15% when using scans and something like 38% margin of error based on bump measurements.

My 2nd was bigger than my 3rd and 4th- all girls.

She was 10lb6oz but no tears at all. They all kept telling me she wasn't big but I looked and felt huge

I don't think tearing is down to baby size but a 3rd degree tear is significant and I'm surprised they aren't more concerned but I have no experience of this.

If you want a c section you can tell your midwife you want one and your reasons and they will refer you.

My first was 10lb 12. Delivered by ventouse (?) suction hoover thing. He's just turned 18, don't know if these things are still used.

I really didn't want to chance my second being bigger and the scan margin of error is quite wide. I also had a cyst on my ovary during my second pregnancy. Until I was 30 odd weeks they were insisting it was fine to deliver naturally but they suddenly decided to go with a C section and take the ovary out at the same time. I didn't ask for a c section but was glad when it was suggested. At 38 weeks he was just under 10lb. I was told v little weight is put on in the last 2 weeks, so he probably would have stayed lighter than my first.

Anyway, recovery from natural delivery was hard but recovery from c section was harder though I had, had an oophorectomy too, so that will have made it worse.

I would ask them to deliver early via whatever method you prefer.

Our 2nd was a big one allowed to go natural, he was 10lb 12oz @40+5 and I was surprised at how well his delivery went tbh. I had episiotomy and spent 14mins pushing but a pretty easy recovery.
Current baby was always measuring ahead too, I had an elcs with twins last time so scar rupture was a concern for me with a vbac. I planned an elcs at 39wk but she decided to come at 38+6, the doctors took ages to decide what to do. Went in for the cs at gone 11pm, she was 10lb 15oz and straight in to 0-3mth. Once they were stitching me up I started to feel unwell. The doctor explained that during labour I'd started to have uterine tearing which needed repairing alongside the cs incision, my blood loss was 1.6lts during surgery. I continued to lose more blood than I should and felt absolutely shocking. I couldn't hold baby because I kept blacking out and didn't trust myself, I could barely stand the next day. Had to have catheter back in after trying to take it out as I couldn't wee despite a very full bladder, 2nd attempt of having out I could though (dodging a take home one). My surgery was the 9th, still feeling rough but slowly improving, currently snuggling my perfectly huge little girl so... worth it!

BTW my elcs was a really good experience and easy recovery. Going in to established labour really bugger things up.