Large baby delivery advice

[BioSpud]

I'm currently expecting my first conceived via IVF and throughout my growth scans have been on the 90th percentile. After having to have extra scans due to low lying placenta (which has now moved) baby is now just over the 97th percentile. I'm only 36 weeks and baby is on average 7lbs. Would anyone recommend opting for a C-section due to the size? I've already been told I'm gonna have to have another hospital scan in a week to check the size and they are likely to induce me. Are there any upsides to choosing to have a C-section for a bigger baby?

[scrabbledabbl]

Please please please get a c section. I was induced recently for a big baby and ended up with shoulder dystopia which is a clinical emergency where the baby gets stuck. It was SO traumatic I can't even begin to describe he was born floppy and pale and needed immediate attention resuscitation and neonatal care. In fact we are still in hospital because of issues.

[RogersOrganismicProcess]

My ‘big baby’ turned out to be a tiny 6lbs. All of his clothes drowned him until a kind neighbour went out and got him small baby sized sleep suits.

[MiniMoosey]

My second baby was born via C-section at 37 weeks and he was 10 pound 4! So glad I didn’t go full term with him and try and push his giant head out!

[bigbird50]

. I have had two natural and two c sections. Surgery is major as much as people try to minimise it, I recovered so quickly after natural births but not with the two sections. My 3rd was my 1st c section As his estimated birth weight was 10lb 5 I decided I didn’t want to take any risks. I had lost a baby before this pregnancy and was anxious . He ended up being 11lb 4. My vaginal births were 8lb and 9lb 6. Both were fine. I wouldn’t support surgery unless there were real issues. Purely because of the recovery - I appreciate others skip out of surgery but I didn’t

[theremustonlybeone]

On reading your OP and having an IVF journey I do understand why you would want to consider a section. You just want to hold your baby and not have the worry of labour and the complications

[CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark]

Ya I was told this too! I was induced early as I didn’t want a C section. She was born 8oz.

so we’re 2 mum friends…. Also normal birth weights.

i wish I didn’t give in. Unless there is a medical reason, do not if you don’t want to. 1.5 years on I’m still in continent from the forced birth and forceps for my body that want ready to give birth..

hospitals want to book in c sections now, it’s cheaper for them and easier to plan.

[BiscoffSundae]

My son was 10lbs 4 natural birth

[ny20005]

I was absolutely huge but midwife told me I was normal. 41 weeks induced & ended up with failure to progress & section as baby was distressed - 10 lb 4

2nd one & different hospital, I was measured all the time & told he was big. I was booked in for c section at 37 +5 & he was 9 lb 3. Told of he'd cooked for another 3-4 weeks, he could have been 11lbs

I had quick recoveries both time. It wasn't worth the risk to me of baby getting stuck or shoulder dystocia. In anyone I've known that's had growth scan, they weren't hugely wrong

[scrabbledabbl]

@ny20005 hey hope you don't mind me asking but us the shoulder dystopia something your clinical
/ midwife team highlighted to you or something you just googled and found out? I never even knew SD was a thing until my traumatic birth experience and I feel annoyed that no one warned me that with a large baby it was risky.

[Twizbe]

I've had 2 big babies (9lb1 and 9lb3) growth scan for number one put me at 7lbs at 37 weeks. He was born just under 2 weeks later.

I gave birth naturally, bad tear with first no tear with bigger second baby. No lasting damage to me.

No one ever mentioned a c section to me because of their size

[1000Pieces]

I was terrified into having a planned c section with my last baby as I had (very borderline) gestational diabetes, a history of fast, early, spontaneous labours, and they said he was big on growth scans (last one around 34/5 weeks)

He was born by elcs at 36 weeks and weighed barely 6 lbs, had jaundice and some trouble breathing at the start.

I wouldn't put too much faith in growth scans.

[ny20005]

@scrabbledabbl
I was kind of mildly aware but didn't know what it was called or how serious it could be. A friend of a friend suffered this a few weeks before my due date & while the baby survived, she had a broken collar bone & it was a hugely traumatic birth.

I guess because my concerns about how big my first was we're just dismissed by the midwife, I was really worried i'd be left go to term or overdue again & it could happen to me. I always think worst case scenario though

[BioSpud]

Thanks for all the advice. I decided to get induced and although that itself wasn't bad the birth was. I ended up needing forceps due to being tired from pushing for so long and not getting anywhere and then I tore internally and lost 3 litres of blood in a short amount of time. Next time I will consider a c section for sure. Baby was fine but ended up being 8lb5 so was definitely on the bigger side.

[MammaWeasel]

Sometimes the growth scans are accurate. They told me my second child, a boy, would be big and that because of a previous emergency section I should have an elective section. I thought, yeah yeah, bet he'll be a shrimp when he comes out", but nevertheless I went in two weeks early for my elective section.

Reader, he was 10lb 13oz.

I was glad I'd had the section!

[Holidayworries]

I've had two big ivf babies, both C-sections. I'd recommend elective C-sections, particularly for big babies.

[Holidayworries]

Sorry, didn't spot you'd already had your baby! Congratulations!

[CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark]

Congratulations OP. Take care of yourself.

when you’re feeling well again, I strongly recommend a kegal 8 trainer in time to help you.

[AndStand]

All I was told was that baby was "a good size".

He was a week early at 9lb 13oz with rugby player shoulders and a big head.
Natural vaginal birth with a TENS machine.