Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

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

99 replies

pugmum94 · 03/08/2022 11:25

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 ♥️

OP posts:
mc260 · 05/08/2022 21:22

Never had a c section but I got induced and nothing happened for the first two days, not any pain or anything. Then I went for a nap and woke up with my waters breaking and 4 hours later had my baby in my arms. Although there were no breaks between contractions which made it all very intense. But as I was already in hospital, as soon as the contractions started they got the epidural ready!

Just thought I'd share my experience to help you weigh up your options

Hatscats · 05/08/2022 22:20

You don’t have to do either. I was predicted a 9 pound 13 baby and had a 8 pound 6 baby no issues, normal vaginal birth, turned down the induction and section. The NICE guidelines say large baby is not a reason for induction or section!
www.instagram.com/p/Cgi1TfUMlmj/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

awwbiscuits · 05/08/2022 22:34

Hatscats · 05/08/2022 22:20

You don’t have to do either. I was predicted a 9 pound 13 baby and had a 8 pound 6 baby no issues, normal vaginal birth, turned down the induction and section. The NICE guidelines say large baby is not a reason for induction or section!
www.instagram.com/p/Cgi1TfUMlmj/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Absolutely this. I was told I was going to have a 9lb++ baby and dd was actually 8lb3. Sara Wickham has some great resources on her website.

katepilar · 05/08/2022 23:04

No baby grows too big for the mother to give birth. Also bear in mind that the baby is likely to have different weight to what the doctors predict, and they can easily be wrong by up to a kilo. Its possible to give birth to a 5kg baby.

Make sure you dont lye on your back as it resctricts your coccyx which can make the birthcanal smaller by up to 30 percent!

Daisy4569 · 05/08/2022 23:18

Just to add a bit of balance I had an induction on my due date as baby was big (he was 9lb), it was quick, no pain relief and no issues. So not everyone is the same. Have a good talk to your midwife and go with your instinct.

Sunshineona · 05/08/2022 23:49

The c section. Haven’t heard good things about induction.

Plus I had a 3rd degree tear and complications from that. If you have to have an intervention you might as well have the one that saves you from tearing

TinyRebel · 06/08/2022 11:11

Elective C-section. I figured out quite early on (whilst agonising over going for VBAC) that there must be reason why the three GPs and one consultant anaesthetist I know have opted for C-sections with their first (complication free) pregnancies.

We've each gone on to have three babies, all by c-section.

Goodnewsday · 06/08/2022 19:51

Haven’t been in this situation but I would take a c-section hands down, all day long. I had one last year and I’m the biggest scaredy cat on earth. It was such a lovely day. So calm, no drama, everyone in theatre was relaxed. Recovery was completely fine too. Don’t be scared of the section if that’s the route you choose! If you do decide to go for that listen to maybe baby podcast episode with Anna williamson, she literally walks you through a c-section and it’s exactly how mine went

Orangesare · 06/08/2022 21:22

katepilar · 05/08/2022 23:04

No baby grows too big for the mother to give birth. Also bear in mind that the baby is likely to have different weight to what the doctors predict, and they can easily be wrong by up to a kilo. Its possible to give birth to a 5kg baby.

Make sure you dont lye on your back as it resctricts your coccyx which can make the birthcanal smaller by up to 30 percent!

I grew a baby too big to exit! His head wouldn’t drop low enough onto my cervix to allow labour to progress. I tried for a whole week and finally got a cs.
I don’t think a cs is a walk in the park and I had an unplanned VBAC with my second.

Madwife123 · 10/08/2022 00:37

katepilar · 05/08/2022 23:04

No baby grows too big for the mother to give birth. Also bear in mind that the baby is likely to have different weight to what the doctors predict, and they can easily be wrong by up to a kilo. Its possible to give birth to a 5kg baby.

Make sure you dont lye on your back as it resctricts your coccyx which can make the birthcanal smaller by up to 30 percent!

As a midwife I will tell you that is absolutely not true!

I have been involved in horrific shoulder dystocia cases where babies have had brain injuries and broken bones as a result.

Diabetic women particularly are at risk of growing a baby too big to give birth to but it happens in non diabetic women also. Yes it’s rare but it does happen.

redYellowandblue · 10/08/2022 01:59

I had an 11lb plus baby
caused prolapse before birth and subsequently double prolapse
had extensive surgery and 23 years later still affected

go for the caesarean

frozenorangejuice · 10/08/2022 02:03

C section all the way. I was offered induction with my DD as they thought she was measuring small and I had reduced movement. I said no as I just had a feeling it would end in emergency section anyway and the women around me that were being induced looked like they were having a grim old time of it. She was absolutely fine and heavier than my DS. Compared to the picture of me after his birth (30+ hours labour, forceps and episiotomy) I look like I’ve been on holiday after having my DD! My recovery was fine - yes, it was painful at times but psychologically I was so much better after my c section. Good luck!

Whippetquick · 10/08/2022 02:24

Mine were 9.11 at 37 weeks and 10lb at 38 both vaginal births , 12 hour labour with first and about 4 with second neither was too bad just gas and air. Depends on your pelvis

CrotchetyQuaver · 10/08/2022 02:34

If they're offering you a c section, take it. I think the stats on inductions that end up being emergency sections is pretty high. Happened with my first DD, she was actually a face presentation and absolutely stuck fast. It was a relief to get her out. No way would she have made it out without the EMCS. Induction wasn't a success for me.

Yes it's a bit of a pain not being able to drive for 6 weeks and being very careful what you lift and do but I'd take that any day over potential alternatives 😱

ncedforthisquestion · 10/08/2022 05:01

The induction pain was unreal compared to normal labour pains. My c-section was a huge relief by comparison, despite ending up with an infection. For any future delivery I would avoid induction.

Fleur405 · 10/08/2022 05:35

I was induced and it all went pretty well up until the end where baby had shoulder dystocia - the midwifes and doctors (plural because after the emergency alarm was pushed there were about 8 people in the room) were amazing and baby was fine (save that she looked like she’d been 10 rounds in a boxing ring) but it’s a pretty scary scenario. My baby was quite a bit bigger then the scans showed so shoulder dystocia not thought to be a particular risk in my case. If in the same scenario again I’d chose the section!

SpiderVersed · 10/08/2022 05:51

Take the c section.

I was induced with my first for the same reason. It was awful, ended with an emergency section and had lasting implications.

Fluffygreenslippers · 26/08/2022 18:12

I had an induction for a ‘huge’ baby (who turned out to not be that huge). It was a fucking nightmare and ended with birth injuries to baby from forceps and birth injuries to me. I asked for a c section before birth and was refused. I asked again twice during labour and was then refused. Go for a c section if you’re offered, seriously.

LovesFood1987 · 26/08/2022 18:17

I was induced with my first because he was measuring large. Ended up with an emergency c section but very glad I did the induction first.

I didn't know this at the time but NICE don't advise induction just because a baby measures large www.nice.org.uk/donotdo/in-the-absence-of-any-other-indications-induction-of-labour-should-not-be-carried-out-simply-because-a-healthcare-professional-suspects-a-baby-is-large-for-gestational-age-macrosomic

It's really worth looking into how a c section can affect subsequent pregnancies... Of course most of the time it's fine but there are risks and it is worth knowing about them if you want anymore children 🙂 all the best whatever you decide

Xmasbaby11 · 26/08/2022 18:37

I had my dd who was 9lb 15 by vaginal delivery. No indication she was big, although I was overweight (no gestational diabetes). It was a very long and difficult delivery and resulted in a severe prolapse of my uterus. It took 2 operations several years later, and it's still not normal. My dd2 was born by elcs.

C section gets my vote.

Loulou1712 · 26/08/2022 19:54

@pugmum94 any update?

They predicted DD1 would be large, she ended up 7lb15oz, DD2 was 7lb and I measured small, I'm now 33 weeks with DS1 and apparently carrying a baby elephant so found the thread interesting 🤣

greenerfingers · 31/08/2022 08:59

Neither? I was offered the same, said no and waited till labour started naturally at 39+6, delivered a not so ginormous 7.01lber. It's ridiculous how much they want to constantly intervene with such unreliable methods. People naturally deliver large babies all the time, even if the baby is measuring big.

FredrikaPeri · 02/09/2022 05:42

Yes have been in exactly this position op.

I really wanted a natural birth. Had my birth plan all printed up, essential oils in my bag and plans for a water birth in the local birthing centre, whilst listening to my play list....

Baby number 1 was also 97th percentile. Kept testing for diabetes, but decided he was just big. A week after due date, induction was a nightmare. Had 24 hrs of labour, every drug imaginable and an emergency CSec,as DS1 got stuck at 8cms for hours.

The consultant said my pelvis wasn't big enough to let him through.

With DC2 I agreed to a planned CSec as he was even bigger. This was 100 times calmer & less stressful.

I still breast fee both babies no problems.

You know what? it doesn't matter how they arrived. Just that we were all safe. I talk to some women who have had horrible natural births, with forceps, tearing & stitches & now have incontinence in their 40's, and am honestly just thankful that I live somewhere that CSecs are available.

Go for it. And congratulations! 💐

Tabitha888 · 02/09/2022 05:45

I had an induction and given the choice I would have the section

Bickles · 02/09/2022 05:47

Section.