36 week scan, massive baby, terrified FTM, chances of a section?

[Heartburn247]

Hello,
I'm looking for anyone who has had a similar experience and what my chances might be of requesting a section based on what happened yesterday. I am seeing a consultant on Tues but just feeling anxious in the meantime.

Had a scan yesterday at 36 + 5 as 20wk scan showed placenta covering my cervix. Had scan, placenta has moved but baby is extended breech and they take measurements if so as standard. All measurements are big as in off the actual charts they use. They kept asking me if I'd had sugar in my urine (I know they were thinking GD and I had GTT test due to sugars once, came back negative). So after scan they said consultant will see you Tuesday and go through options but basically they are: option of turning baby (no way), or scheduling a c section BUT if on the day the baby has turned which they said can happen, they will cancel the section (leaving me knowing that I have to deliver a massive baby naturally).

My worries are that the baby is only going to get bigger and I do not want to risk my life or my babies life by going down the natural route if a section could be done instead (I do appreciate that a section is not easy either but it is planned and controlled). Do you guys think that if she turns the right way I can still insist of having a section or will they flatly refuse?

Sorry for waffle, I am so frigging scared.

[RetroHippy]

Not my own experience, but a colleague's wife has just had a c-section with her second after measurements showed it was heading to be as big as her first (Vaginal birth which resulted in 3rd degree tears).

So I guess there is an option for an ELCS with a big baby? Incidentally, her little boy was 9lb10, so big, but not enormous.

Or do as much slouching on the sofa as possible so your baby stays breech! Extreme measures, but if you're happier with the recovery that comes with a scheduled section, I can see how you'd not want baby to turn.

[RetroHippy]

Should say recovery and risk really. I guess there's an element in all these things. But that's why they'll do a section with a breech baby, order of risk is that a vaginal, head down delivery is less risky than a section, but a section is less risky than a vaginal breech delivery.

[Heartburn247]

Thanks so much for replying Retrohippy, that is food for thought for sure. Ideally I would like to give birth naturally but not knowing what I do know. I have measured 3-4 bigger consistently so I was always a bit worried but now very scared.

I just get the impression that I may have to turn into a horrible shorty pregnant woman who knows her rights etc just to get a section and I really don't want to be that person!

But the doctors and midwives go home after their shift, it's just a job to them, for me it is the most scary time of my life and I don't want my baby to get stuck and be at risk when it's known now that she is a whopper (or as much as they can know).

To be honest like you say there are risks however your baby is born, I just think why would you be made to try and squeeze a big baby out over a section other than for statistics.

I think I need to calm down and see what happens on Tuesday :-/

[divingoffthebalcony]

Chances are, if this baby is big, it won't be able to turn because there's no room! I wouldn't consent to an ECV either. So, just cross your fingers that baby stays breech

[DefiniteMaybe]

I'd imagine you probably have a fair chance of getting your section. But, just to give you a positive story I gave birth vaginally to my baby 2 weeks ago she was 9lb and breech (we didn't know) and she came out fine, I didn't even need stitches.

[AnythingNotEverything]

Don't be afraid of a big baby. I've had two between 9 and 10lb and only had 2nd degree tears which have healed neatly. With my second I only had gas and air.

Big babies have the help of gravity. Babies get stuck due to position, not size, and babies' he adds are pretty much the same size - bigger babies tend to be chunkier in the body or longer, and it's the head that forges the path.

Also, growth scans are notoriously inaccurate.

A vaginal birth with a big baby isn't necessarily one that messes you up.

[LikeSilver]

I didn't have the same experience as you, but had to have several growth scans in late pregnancy as dd was measuring big. They told me she would be 9lb at the very minimum. She came out at 7lb 2oz. My DH asked where the rest of her was . Best of luck with your birth however you choose to do it.

[Familyguyfan]

My dd2 was breech. Because she was upside down (or the right way up I suppose!) all her measurements were completely out. She was born, by emcs at 37 weeks weighing 8Ibs. Had she gone to 39 weeks (when my scheduled cs was) she might have been maybe 9Ibs. As it was, she was much smaller than anticipated (although still a good size) but I was absolutely enormous! Measurements before birth are notoriously tricky and oftem inaccurate.

[Heartburn247]

Thank you all very much indeed for your stories and advice. I literally have no clue and feel very out of control.
It is reassuring to hear that measurements can be inaccurate and that some of you had baginal births with big babies no problem. I take my hat off to you all especially Definatelymaybe!

I am aware that I am panicking somewhat. I guess I need to remember that no medical professional is going to purposely put either of us at risk.......and breath.

Tuesday can't come soon enough