Big Baby? What happens next please?

[5Minions2CallMyOwn]

I had my 36 week scan today (am 36+2) and they are estimating that baby weighs 7.2lbs! I thought she’s big before the scan anyway, she feels big. She’s my 7th baby I’ll be giving birth to for context. The biggest up to now was 8.5lbs and was a shoulder dystocia. But now I’m panicking at the thought of how big she may be when she is born.

Is anyone here a midwife or have you been through this please and can tell me what could happen next? Eg. Early sweep or induction, c section etc. I’m really worried now as don’t think I can push out a baby this big. I don’t want another shoulder dystocia or an emergency section!

If I want to be induced early will they? Or if I request a section? If so how early is the earliest they will do it? I’m not keen on either of those options but need to consider them now if she is as big as they are suggesting. And I think perhaps they are right- I’ve thought she was big for the last two months

Thanks

Surely they would rather give you sweeps than a section seems madness if not @5Minions2CallMyOwn lots of luck I'm due next fri and crapping myself (vbac) I'm having a sweep in the morn

Haha I really hope so, but either way I’ll only agree to one or the other as advised by everyone here!

Oh wow how exciting! Yes I can imagine how nervous you are, but also at least it’ll soon be over and you’ll have your baby!!! Hope the sweep goes well next week

Im quite impressed they will even let you in the birthing center for baby #7. I was told NO for #5 & #6

@THOSEcobwebsareDECOR I’m sorry that’s such a shame, it’s a brilliant experience and so different to the labour wards

To be honest they aren’t keen as I’m classed (by them) as high risk due to previous issues eg a shoulder dystocia (no2) and PPH (no3). But I detest the labour ward and adore the birthing centre so have had babies 4,5 and 6 there. With no issues and amazing water births!

What I realised early on is that if it’s between a homebirth and a birthing centre birth they suddenly become much more amenable

Am gutted to have to consider an elective section though as that means no birthing centre :(

Opposite side of measurements, DD was supposed to be over 7lbs at 40 weeks and was born at 42+3. She was 5lbs 12oz with no sign of growth restriction, she was just really small. Scans can be way way way off.

I’ve read how scans can be very wrong, and my midwife has said the same and so is super blasé about my anxiety. But hearing that baby is approximately 7.2lbs at 36 weeks just confirmed my worst fears as I already felt she was big (the biggest so far of the 7!) and had expressed as much to my midwife previously. Even if she is 6lb then by birth she would be roughly 8lbs, and as I’m always 1 week overdue more likely 8.5lbs. Which for me means more risk of interventions (which I wouldn’t consent to) and so an emergency section. So with that in mind I think an elective section would be safest for both baby and I.

I’ve seen that having a c section can effect milk coming in. Is that true please? Also that you can be very gassy and in pain with it? I’d love to hear more experiences of sections and some tips. I’m reading as much as I can and really want to be well informed before I see the consultant. I hope I get one who understands and is supportive of my request, I’m so worried I won’t. Thank you for reading

If the consultant will agree to a 39 week sweep and then elective section if that doesn’t work though I’ll happily try that instead. I’m just not sure if that will be possible

@5Minions2CallMyOwn I had EMC and the trapped wind was awful my wound repeatedly got infected I would say it was 4 months until I felt anywhere near myself but appreciate I was unlucky if you had a planned it would probs be much better but you do have a lot of other children to look after do you need to walk/ drive for school run as you won't be able to do either of those things for a while x

@mrssunshinexxx Thank you. That sounds terrible, I guess we can never know what will happen with surgery.

Yes that’s why I would much rather a natural birth. Just a faster recovery- I’m usually out and about the next day. But I’m lucky in that if I do need to have a c section my husband will be taking 3 weeks off work and then is able to mostly work from home if needed so he will do all of the school runs, food shopping and cooking etc. I’m lucky he’s so supportive

@5Minions2CallMyOwn that's really positive you know he will be able to help keep running the house so much. X

I spoke to my midwife today in further detail and with my reasons for now wanting an elective c section.

Basically fear the baby is big, not wanting interventions, previous shoulder dystocia and not wanting an emergency section. I explained that I feel she is big and that the scan is correct, and that as such unless they are willing to do a sweep at 39 weeks and see if baby comes naturally that way I’d much rather the more planned and safer option of an elective section. I know if she’s much bigger than 8lbs there is every chance I may have problems delivering her naturally

I asked the midwife to feel my tummy and tell me her opinion on baby’s size. She confirmed I’m right in fearing she’s big. Said she’s a `good size’ and that my massive belly is more baby then fluid.

She also said she knows the consultant and thinks she should agree to an elective section with my reasonings. And that I can discuss a 39 week sweep with her next week and that it was up to her to agree or not. If she does I can still give birth at the birthing centre- so that would be my preference. But only if it’s at 39 weeks as baby will be a bit smaller then.

I’m still really anxious that the consultant may not agree to what I want. But do feel a bit more reassured having spoken to my midwife. She said it’s my body and so my decision how I deliver the baby. I hope the consultant feels the same 🤞🏼

My BIG baby was 37 years ago! He was 10lbs 13oz, and 23 inches long. Much bigger than his older brother. At 5ft 1 myself, I found being pregnant in the later stages quite difficult. The birth - I managed without forceps or anything (yes, I had an episiotomy). You'll be fine, just ensure that you try to be in a comfortable position to give birth.

So update: I spoke to the consultant and I’m due to have a sweep on Thursday when I will be 38+5 weeks now. This is my 7th pregnancy but my babies always come at 41 weeks. So the sweeps I’ve had in the past have worked but at 41 weeks.

Has anyone had one this early please and do you think it’s worth doing? I know if baby isn’t ready it won’t work, if that’s the case they have said that they will see about bringing me back to break my waters if possible.

They’ve said if they can break my waters I’ll need to stay in hospital for 24 hours. If I don’t go into labour then they will do a c section.

This is all because the consultant wasn’t happy to do a c section without it being a last resort. And I’m too far along to wait now as baby is getting bigger every week.

I’m not sure if this is a good plan. What are peoples opinions please?

Hi OP

I feel like I could've written this thread. I'm in the same boat as you and have requested a ELCS, which was at first talked down to induction (which wouldn't benefit as still large baby!) I thought it over for a couple of days and called the induction team and told them I would rather elect for a section instead. This has now been agreed.

I was also given the advise from a midwife to go in for the induction but not allow it to go ahead (taking up a bed) this will get you a discussion about what you really want to do.

They kept fighting me and for that reason I'm not actually booked in for a section until 41+4, which is ridiculous, however if I go into labour naturally before that I will still get a section.

Thanks for the message @DizzySquirrel90 It’s a pain isn’t it! I’m glad you got your date though- how exciting! It’s good either way as they have said yes to an elective you can have one, even if you go into labour naturally.

The consultant today wasn’t happy to proceed with an elective section for me, she wants me to try induction first. So they have made me another appointment for next week with another consultant more likely to agree.

The problem for me with this is that I’ll be 39+3 by then and what if she doesn’t agree?! I don’t want to take that risk…. So I’ve agreed to a sweep this Thursday and having my waters broken if they are able to. They’ve said as it’s my 7th baby that should work. If not they have agreed to no further induction and to do a c section.

I’m not thrilled as baby feels uncomfortably big, but at least I’ll be just under 39 weeks and not 41 weeks which is when I usually give birth. So baby will be about 1lb smaller I hope. It’s a shame they can’t trust that I’ve made this decision with thought and research and that I’m well informed enough to have a c section. I’ve had 6 vaginal births so it’s not something I’ve taken lightly…