Big baby - natural vs induction?!

happyavocado28 · 2021-11-03T20:46:02+00:00

I'm 37+5 today and was booked for a growth scan because my midwife thought my bump was too big. The scan showed the baby at 8.4lbs now predicting him to be over 9lb on due date so they have advised an induction at 39+3 - also because my blood pressure has had a few higher readings (but always dips back to normal after a few hours of monitoring) I really don't know what to do as I don't want to risk being overdue and baby being even bigger than he already is now. But then again I know measurements aren't always 100% accurate so could wait for labour to start naturally and he could be a normal weight. It's my first pregnancy so really have no clue of risk of leaving baby to 41 weeks or benefits of being induced earlier. Any advice or similar experiences? I'm panicking so much now! [sad]

TillyDevon · 03/11/2021 20:49

evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/

This might be worth a look, I’m keeping an eye on this too as our last two were big and from how hungry I am I suspect this one bigger still! I’m not big myself and first two deliveries went smoothly at 1 week late and 2 weeks late, biggest baby was 9lb 5

firstimemamma · 03/11/2021 20:57

It's up to you. My friend kept having growth scans and everyone agreed the baby was going to be very big. She ended up going overdue and the 'massive' baby was a very average 7 pound 12.

TillyDevon · 03/11/2021 21:02

My conclusion from this is that it’s better almost not to know a baby is big as the interventions haven’t proven as helpful as expected but I am reading it when quite tired so worth looking at the points discussed

happytoday73 · 03/11/2021 21:11

All my babies were over 9lb...but I was 8lb 8 when born, I'm tall and well built...so it's not a ridiculous size for me to birth.

And just because it's big doesn't mean a difficult birth etc. You just can't tell. My friend struggled with her 5lb'er and the nearly 9lb was a fab fast birth..

Induction often results in more intervention so the question you have is this.. Do I want to be induced so more likely a smaller baby with higher chance of intervention or do I want a natural birth where more likely to a bigger baby but also more likely to be an active birth/less intervention... But nothing is guaranteed.. .
I did a lot of reading on this as youngest would have been huge if as late as my first.. I decided to delay any induction until at least a week over unless worried about my or baby health.. In end it was all theory as baby was nearly 2 weeks early... But just under 10lb and first sign to delivery 6 hours with no assistance.

Its a personal choice and no one can give you a clear answer because baby's dont follow the rule book and some women bodies just don't cooperative... Good luck..

RandomMess · 03/11/2021 21:16

My bump was huge, I looked ridiculous, I measured small for dates. She was 10lb6oz (I am teeny tiny 5').

It was fine I was induced at 42+3, was glad to know that she wasn't huge tbh!

Original poster

happyavocado28 · 03/11/2021 21:29

@TillyDevon

My conclusion from this is that it’s better almost not to know a baby is big as the interventions haven’t proven as helpful as expected but I am reading it when quite tired so worth looking at the points discussed

I know what you mean. I almost wish I didnt know baby's 'estimated' weight...

Will take a look through the article you sent - look really useful but haven't read through it all yet.

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Original poster

happyavocado28 · 03/11/2021 21:40

@happytoday73

All my babies were over 9lb...but I was 8lb 8 when born, I'm tall and well built...so it's not a ridiculous size for me to birth.

And just because it's big doesn't mean a difficult birth etc. You just can't tell. My friend struggled with her 5lb'er and the nearly 9lb was a fab fast birth..

Induction often results in more intervention so the question you have is this.. Do I want to be induced so more likely a smaller baby with higher chance of intervention or do I want a natural birth where more likely to a bigger baby but also more likely to be an active birth/less intervention... But nothing is guaranteed.. .
I did a lot of reading on this as youngest would have been huge if as late as my first.. I decided to delay any induction until at least a week over unless worried about my or baby health.. In end it was all theory as baby was nearly 2 weeks early... But just under 10lb and first sign to delivery 6 hours with no assistance.

Its a personal choice and no one can give you a clear answer because baby's dont follow the rule book and some women bodies just don't cooperative... Good luck..

Thanks so much for replying, that makes me feel a bit better. I wouldn't say I'm super tall (probably taller than avg) but I do think my body could cope with it - then again who knows until it happens!

I am worried about interventions and did ask if the risk was higher in inductions compared to natural labours but the consultant said there was no higher risk?? Which I'm not sure I believe? Also worried about tearing if baby truly is too big but again I don't know if risk is higher in inductions or natural labours. So many worries but I think I'm leaning towards letting it run it's course naturally rather than induction. I just worry if I go up to 42 weeks and have to be induced anyway!

Sorry.. so much running though my mind at the moment !!

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Original poster

happyavocado28 · 03/11/2021 21:43

@RandomMess how was your induction if you don't mind me asking? Did you have any tears or interventions?

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RandomMess · 03/11/2021 21:51

4 babies, 4 indictions 🤦🏼‍♀️

With 2 I needed ARM after 3 pessaries but delivered all of them unassisted, no tears/stitches etc.

I can highly recommend taking arnica a few days before a planned delivery though. Helps reduce bruising whether natural or section.

Original poster

happyavocado28 · 03/11/2021 22:00

@RandomMess thanks so much - success stories of inductions definitely making me feel better also thanks for the tip about arnica will definitely take a look.

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Twizbe · 04/11/2021 06:46

Both my babies were over 9lbs too.

I did tear with my first (9lb1) but honestly that wasn't as bad as I feared.

Amazingly I didn't tear with my second (9lb3) and it felt just the same lol.

They never mentioned induction to me. I had a scan at 37 weeks with my first which showed him to be over 7lbs. He was born just over a week later - these late term scans can be quite off the mark in terms of estimated weight.

KHR1 · 04/11/2021 08:09

I had a very similar situation to yourself. Blood pressure was up and down and baby was predicted to be 9lb 12oz at 40 weeks. Wasn't offered induction until post due date (had been measuring big all along). Was supposed to be induced at 40+4 but due to staffing levels in the hospital it was delayed a few days and baby was born 40+9 weighing 9lb 7oz. I was told by a few midwives that estimated weight can be so far out think it's something like +/-2lb. I was happy to be induced as I was ready to not be pregnant and induced with my first baby but it's your choice. One thing that was different with a big baby was that labour ward were prepped for it - the midwives had been told they would have to get him out a certain way to avoid shoulders getting stuck but apart from that everything was pretty 'normal'. I did need an episiotomy but this was because they needed him out fast for unrelated reasons and I also had one with DC1 who was smaller

Original poster

happyavocado28 · 04/11/2021 20:10

@Twizbe @KHR1 thanks both - definitely puts my mind at ease about the weight of the baby. Best case scenario baby comes naturally before induction date. But really have no idea if I should be induced or not just so confused about this all and anxieties are not helping

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RandomMess · 04/11/2021 20:15

Personally I wouldn't be induced early just because they think the baby is big, it could be a lot of fluid.

The earlier the induction the less likely it is to work easily/well.

Sure you wouldn't want to wait like 42+3 like I did with my 2nd but I wouldn't be keen before 41 weeks.

Smaller babies can get stuck it's not just a big baby thing. It's position as much as anything. Experienced midwives can handle shoulder dystocia.

Have you asked about c-section, how open are they to that as an alternative?

Original poster

happyavocado28 · 04/11/2021 20:29

@RandomMess they did say the fluid levels were normal but I do agree with everything you said to be honest. I'm leaning towards declining induction if it's purely down to size of baby (especially when it could be completely wrong?!!) I would much rather wait for natural labour to start but they just kept saying 'the risk gets greater everyday you leave it' which made me feel so worried.

Not sure if this is the right approach but I kind of trust my body not to grow a baby so big that it can't cope with pushing out??? If that makes any sense whatsoever.

I didn't ask about c-section as that is the last last last option for me - but do wonder if there's greater chance of emergency c section needed either by being induced or because of baby size. Absolutely no clue.

I'm a little disappointed that it seems you have to go away and do your research rather than being able to rely on experts/midwives. I did ask for risks/benefits and they just directed me to a website (which was useful but really not as useful as talking to an expert) - they don't really seem to give much advice except 'anything can happen in induction or natural birth - there are risks with both and higher risks with bigger babies' well ... no sh*t Sherlock

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