Big Baby outcome

[Jojo1123]

Hi, firstly thank you for reading through this.

For context I'm 33 weeks pregnant, with a high BMI and expected to have a 'big baby'. I've been tested for GD and I haven't got it.

Baby was measuring 4lbs on my 28th week growth scan & 6lbs on my 32nd week growth scan.

I have another scan on the 36th and I guess what I'm asking is, if you have been in this situation before what were you offered?

I've already been given leaflets on c sections but I'd really like to avoid one.

If you were offered an induction or c section, when was it offered for you to go through with it?

I found this book really useful in making my decision:

There was no indication my first was going to be big but she was 9.4 pounds. She was born by c section after 28 hours of labour.

My 2nd measured HUGE, particularly in the tummy area, which meant she was high risk for shoulder dystocia. I was initially offered a c section but then the hospital realised they didn’t have any appointments so they offered to do an early sweep instead, hoping that if she was born a bit earlier than planned she wouldn’t be so large. WRONG! The sweep worked, I went into labour but was hyper contracting so much it became risky and ended up having an emergency section. She was 10 pounds 1.

My first was 9lbs 14oz, no one ever mentioned I was having a big baby from scans etc although my bump was massive! I had a vaginal birth with an episiotomy.
Just had my second 4 months ago and I was anxious he would be even bigger than my first. I was offered induction but only at 40 weeks but there were no free beds on labour ward. He came on his own accord at 40+3 very quickly and weighed 9lbs 1oz

Scans are not very accurate at estimating weight from my experience, I wouldn't be pushed into a c section unless there are major concerns for either yours or babies health

I hope everything goes well OP

I wish I had gone straight to c section both times. It would have been a much calmer experience. There is nothing worse than using up all your energy going through a traumatic labour and then having to have surgery!

My second was measuring the same as my first throughout (first was 8.5lb ish). Turned out he was actually 11lb. Birthed fine, gas and air. Not sure it would have been so easy if I had known he was so massive! I’m not that petite (5ft 7) but I’m not a giant. My son is though!

I had two big babies - one induction and one spontaneous. Both very different, with the latter being most calm but both resulting in severe tearing

I had a high BMI pre pregnancy (40) but was fairly fit/strong - lifting weights few times a week, occasional 5k. Tested for GD and didn’t have it. Predicted a big baby but midwives and doctor didn’t seem to worried. They said as my husband and I were both big babies and we should expect one too, no reason for me to no go down the vaginal birth route.

From my research it seems the fear of a ‘big baby’ is actually worse than having a big baby. The hypnobirthing mantra of ‘my body will not make a baby too big for me to birth’ was helpful.

That all being said - my baby was exactly the size they predicted 9lb4 but got her cord stuck round her neck and I had an EMCS. The process was okay - and my recovery wasn’t as bad as I expected.

I really recommend keeping as mobile and fit as you can in the last few weeks up to the birth. Nothing stressful on the body but a gentle swim is good, my midwife did say that keeping active helps with both ‘natural’ birth and CS recovery.

I measured big throughout and we were both big babies with DH over 10lb, so it wasn't a surprise. I was tested for GD and didn't have it.

I was induced at 41 weeks as they didn't want her to grow any more. They scanned me the day of the induction and estimated 10lbs. I was offered an ELCS but proceeded with the induction.

After hours in the drip at the highest and regular contractions on the trace, I wasn't dilated at all (thankfully not in pain). I had the world's most relaxed EMCS, and had a 9lb 7oz baby with a head above the 99.6th centile. One midwife reckoned I didn't dilate as she was too big to descend. Not sure if that's a thing or not.

My second also measured big and was 9lb 12oz. I was having an ELCS anyway but she was transverse so no choice. Her size caused complications in the surgery for both of us.

Personally I'd choose the predictability of the c section every time.

That don't always get it right. I was told for months that DS was going to be a big baby. He was slightly early and 6lb 6, although most of that was head! Conversely, my friend was told her baby was measuring very small - he was 9lb 8.