Baby is big, given the choice of elective c-section or induction! Help!

[pugmum94]

Hi everyone,

I've never posted on mums net before but I'm not sure what else to do at this point.
To cut a long story short, I am 35 weeks pregnant and due to give birth to a large baby (at my 35 week growth scan he was measuring 7lb 14lb, with all measurements being above the 97th centile!). I have been tested twice for gestational diabetes and definitely don't have it. I am overweight, but both me and my partner come from a 'big and tall' family.
Due to his size, the consultant has advised if he continues to grow the way he is they will have to intervene. I am due to have another scan at 37 weeks and if he has grown the way he has done, I am to make a choice of either being induced or to have an elective c-section. If I'm being honest, I don't want either, it's my first child and I just wanted him to come naturally but I understand with the risks this isn't possible.

I was hoping one of you lovely lot had been in this position before? Or if you have had experiences of either induction or c-section? I'm completely out of my depth, I've always said I didn't want a c-section as I am a bit frightened of it if I'm being honest. But the consultant explained the risks of shoulder dystocia if I were to go for the induction.

Anyway, I'm rambling a little bit... I'm just completely stuck and would like other people's advice/opinions!

Thank you ♥️

I've had both, section all the way for all the reasons everyone on the thread has already outlined. My induction ended up as an emergency section anyway which wasn't great. The elective (offered because DS2 was huge) was like going to the spa in comparison and I went home the next morning. So much calmer and more relaxed and the recovery was easy,

I was given a similar estimation to you at 35 weeks and by 37 weeks they were estimating over 9lb. I had a really good conversation with the doctor about the options. I wanted to try an induction but have the discussions about a section if things weren't progressing. As I understood from the doctor, there are likely to be warning signs earlier on with labour not progressing as they would expect. I was booked in for induction at 38 weeks but went into labour 12 hours earlier and was holding baby before my induction was even due to start. As a previous poster hinted, she was over a lb lighter than they had estimated just days before. Granted, if she had waited until 40 weeks she would have been huge but I like to think that my body knew what it could.

One thing to bear in mind if you do lean towards induction is that it did affect me mentally during labour, like it was always in the back of my mind that I might not be able to do it. I was second guessing things a lot. I'd asked them not to tell me the estimated weight or centile, I checked after just out of interest, but it was still on my mind. Finally, if your 35 week appointment was anything like mine, they dropped the bombshell and left me to dwell on it for 2.5 weeks. I panicked for a few days and then used the time to speak to friends who had predicted large babies or inductions. I also spoke to my community midwife. The 37 week appointment was so much better, lots of information and back and forth. Definitely worth doing your research before to get the most out of it.

I'd go for the section.
I've had 2.
Induction wasn't good.
Both babies were BIG.

Absolutely go for the elective. Another big baby, first time with a failed induction here. Its so much calmer and way more civilised!!

Csection no doubt. The amount of inductions that end in emergency csections it is much better to have a planned and a merry relaxed csection.

Totally your choice and do some reading up on both. I've had 2 biggish babies (9lb) one was induced. Both were fine and being induced was same experience as giving birth naturally for me. IlEven though I had a positive experience if it was me I'd be tempted to go for caesarean as it would be planned and controlled rather than risk it becoming an emergency cs

You know you don't actually have to go for either? Growth scans alone are not supposed to be used to make clinical decisions, only highlight other potential issues for investigation (eg big babies can be a sign of GD).

I say this as someone that has grown two 98th centile babies (9lbs 14 and 10lbs 4), one I was talked into induction because he was measuring big and hadn't engaged at 41 weeks, he ended up being a forceps delivery (because I was knackered and didn't handle transition well), 2nd was a natural labour, in and out from the hospital in under 12 hours. Both my two are still upper centiles and both very tall which runs in the families.

I haven't read the whole thread but I wanted to make you aware that the baby's weight alone isn't a reason for an induction or c section (I think this is on the NICE guidelines). They wanted to induce me for the same reason as my baby was predicted as 11lb...she was 8lb 6oz! I declined the induction and went into labour naturally.

I had an induction. It took days but was fine. It did nearly result in c section though due to the time taken.

The recovery afterwards was awful as I had an infection internally for 6 weeks. The only reason I didn't have a planned section was because of the recovery, but I do think it could have been a more straight forward recovery in the end. You just never know which way these things will go I guess.

I've had both. Take the section.

Ive had an induction and it was horrific, there is no way I would recommend one over a c section.

My baby was 9lb and in a back to back position, I was induced and it was clear my body wasn't ready. I'm only 4ft11, got fully dilated but she was too big to come so ended up with an emergency c section.

My second was a planned c section and it was great.

I would chose an elective section over induction any day!

Hey oh bless you what a hard choice to make! I was induced at 39 weeks after going in for reduced movements.

I really didn't enjoy the induction ngl. It was painful, uncomfortable and it didn't work and I ended up with a section. Ive heard a planned section and an emg section are like chalk and cheese in terms of recovery. I really didn't want a section but I'm so glad I had it and will have another with my next baby. the recovery was hard but at least I could sit down, I had plenty of pain killers too. I was worried about how the scar would look but it's so far down no one can see, and k love it! But yeah ultimately I'm glad I had a section xx

I’d go elective section I think - every friend who has had an elective has had a gorgeous birth. Again from personal circle of friends so not a huge/balanced sample but I think emergency sections can be pretty traumatic in comparison. And having had a vaginal birth with a 10lb9oz baby who got stuck, I would (passionately!) not recommend shoulder dystocia. He is fine now, I am also fine but have permanent damage to my pelvic floor and I miss having a vagina-shaped vagina 🤣

I would opt and push for the C-section, our growth scan at 35 wks suggested baby was an ok size and so we decided against the elective section and went for induction. Labour started naturally at 38 weeks and shoulder dystocia occurred.

It would have been much better to have had the csection and if I could go back and change it, I would in a heartbeat.

Good luck with your decision💐

100% section. If your consultant has discussed shoulder issues then to me that would suggest they are saying have a section.

I've had 2 - 1 EMCS 1 ELCS. Both were very positive for me.

My first I ended up on an induction drip and that hurt!

A lot will depend on how many children you want to have though as I think you are limited to a maximum number of sections?

I had a very positive induction with a 10lb 8oz baby. I had no idea I was having a big baby though and if I had it might have affected me mentally!

But my positive induction was entirely down to a brilliant midwife. Which is the luck of the draw on the day. It was long, painful and tiring but she was fantastic.

I would take the c section.

100% take the c section. I had a failed 3 day induction which ended up in a c section anyway. There is definitely no oxytocin generated when you are alone in a hospital for 3 days being induced so it's very hard situation. I was also so out of it during my c section because of no sleep/no energy/lots of drugs so I don't even remember my baby's birth too much. I'll definitely be having an elective next time, I've heard it much more relaxed!

I'd go for the c section. I had two - the first an emergency and the second because I was ill. Both were absolutely fine - positive experiences and quick. Both times my DC latched on immediately and I was able to breast feed. (I know there is a worry babies won't feed after a cesarean birth.)

Both times my DP was with me, holding my hand and reminding me to breathe. The second one - planned - was exciting.
The downside I suppose is you probably will be in hospital for 5 days rather than quickly home.

But my experience of c sections was entirely positive.

If I was in this situation the only concern was that my baby was bigger than average I'd go for waiting for labour to start itself.
That is still a choice that is an option.

If you want to understand evidence more on the side of waiting look up Sara Wickham and this summary of evidence is interesting too
evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/

If you have an induction (and I did on my first birth) I found the pain went from nothing to crazy level within a short space of time. Something I wasn’t expecting!

I’d also say research assisted births and whether a forceps is preferable to a c-section or vice versa.

someone will always tell you they birthed a 15lb baby with no meds and no stitches but have the full picture of what happens if baby needs help getting out.

Quite tricky to ask here as advice is mostly anecdotal and there must be scientific studies comparing results I would hope - but if you have an instinct on this I would follow it and as far as I can tell a planned c section must be safer if there’s an element of doubt ?
for what’s it’s worth I had two very good vaginal births then an induction for gestational diabetes for our 3rd ; the latter which went against my instincts and even on the day I went in I was asking for a c section as worried - induction continued and ended up in a category 1 section /cord prolapse (thanks to amazing fast help our precious baby was ok and needed small amount resuscitation. So very grateful but going through it again I would push harder for csection instead of being polite ) .

Three births here, right across the spectrum! Firstly 💐 for you as you must be feeling really worried and at an utter loss - I well remember the emotions around my first birth in particular, and not having the ‘typical’ birth experience and having so many mixed emotions over it.
So, first and foremost - try not to beat yourself up about any of it. Keep an open mind whatever you choose to do and do what feels right for you.
As for my experiences - firstborn was almost two weeks overdue. Started normal labour but didn’t progress successfully, requiring intervention including having my waters broken (not pleasant), and assisted birth as a last resort prior to being whisked off to surgery - forceps delivery and a fair amount of damage to be corrected afterwards.
Second labour started quickly then buns got stuck and was in distress - emergency C-Section in the end and was very poorly afterwards (severe blood loss)
Third was planned C-Section and was by far my favourite experience - felt so much more in control and could just focus on meeting my daughter.
Regardless of anyone else’s experience, though, your birth will be your own story and you just have to do what feels right for you.
Wishing you loads of luck x

They have to discuss all the risks as part of informed consent. If baby is as large as the growth scans suggested, then the risk of shoulder dystocia is increased, but isn't a foregone conclusion. As for maximum number of C-sections, the preference is to have no more than 3, but in reality you can have as many as you like. There are increased risks of bleeding, adhesions and more, but again, not a foregone conclusion.

OP, I've had two inductions at 37 weeks for pre-eclampsia. Both babies were big for their gestation, but not as big as yours is predicted to be. Both the inductions were fine, and I had a vaginal birth with the first and a C-section with the second (good induction, but very little progress due to foetal malposition). I have zero regrets about having attempted the induction first.

As PP has said, just because you're having a large baby your options aren't only induction or C-section. You can wait to go naturally. If you choose not to, then choose which option feels right. I hated the idea of an elective. And now I have had an emergency C-section that wasn't all that far away from an elective, I still do. I would attempt a VBAC if I had another baby.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

These scans are notoriously inaccurate.. I had my 9lbs 11oz baby naturally with no problem