Any experience? 39+2 seeing consultant at maternity hospital because big baby and I'm only 5ft

[tattyteddy]

Hello ladies,

I've got an appointment with a consultant at my maternity hospital tomorrow. The reason I've been referred by my midwife is that I'm on the petite side, barely 5ft whilst the midwife thinks baby might be on the large side. Baby's growth has been above the fundel height chart all the way through.

Anyone experienced this, what happened? I'm just curious what the consultant will advise...

Grateful for others experiences xxx

I am quite small and had a big(ish, 9lb6oz) first baby, but nothing was done about it pre-labour (although everyone suspected that he was large). I think with your first they are quite keen to try to deliver "normally" - your size is not necessarily reflected in your internal pelvic size. There was no question of being induced early, although I did get an induction date for term+10 rather than term+14. In the end I went into labour naturally but couldn't deliver him and needed an EMCS when he got stuck at the pushing stage. It was not as bad as it sounds! He did also have a particularly huge head, i.e. not just heavy.

This time round I am also measuring big (and scans have shown a big baby) and so they are suggesting that an elective c-section is probably the way to go, but that's on the basis of having tried the other way once and it not having worked.

Good luck, I suspect the consultant will advise you to give labour a go and see if your baby descends. Is it engaged at all? DS never engaged - even when I turned up at the hospital in labout at 40+9 his head was still pretty much free, which I think was a bit of a tell-tale sign.

check this out for info www.bigbaby.org.uk/

First time around they don't really do all that much tbh. One person might have problems with an 8lb'er whilst another could manage a 10lb'er with no difficulties.

They might want you to have a growth scan, if you haven't already. These are notoriously unreliable though. My dd1 was predicted to be bigger than her 9lb+ brothers but turned out to be a little over 7lbs.

Fundal height measurements are also unreliable. I measured up to 6wks ahead with both of my dd's. They were both around 7lbs.

If the baby is big they might possibly want to check that you don't have gestational diabetes. A consultant might also want to try induction at due date but I would be surprised if this was offered for a first baby. With mine it only happened for my 2nd and subsequent babies.

Good luck with the appointment. :)

Thanks for the replies ladies, it's nice to know a little bit of what might be discussed tomorrow. It is my first baby so they'll probably want to see how I get on with labour!

mumincognito - according to my notes it does say the baby's head is engaged. So hopefully thsts a step in the right ditection!

I'll check the website too xxxx

hello,

Just thought I'd give you an update on today's appointment. The consultant doesnt want to induce earlier or carry out elec cs. So just waiting for baby to make an appearance!

Got another appointment in weeks, if LO still hasnt decided to come out, for a check up and to arrange an induction.

xxxxxx

great news. Hope all goes well.

Good luck, Tattyteddy. :)

Thanks ladies, really looking forward to having my lo now xx