Measuring big at 32+3...

[Babybeesmama]

Hi! Pregnant with DC3.. have measured big all the way through. Have had 2 NVD, 1st time had 2nd degree tear, 2nd time had 3rd degree... weights were 8lb 1 & 7lb 13. They did say although he wasn't a big baby in terms of weight, it was his shoulder & the speed he was delivered that caused 3rd degree (pushing was 6 seconds ). Both labours were very quick.

Discussed early on with consultant whether I went for c-section this time, but they advised if no problems after 3rd degree then I was fine to go for normal delivery.. I am happy for this to happen.

However midwife said today she thinks as it's a big baby she doesn't think they'll let me go full term.. she wasn't explicit about whether it would be induction or c-section. I'm having a growth scan tomorrow.. so I've not long to find out really but just wondered if anyone else had any experience of this?

I guess logically it's not sensible to let me try & vaginally deliver a huge baby with me having higher risk of another 3rd degree. I def feel much bigger this pregnancy.

I'll do whatever they advise. My preference would be no c-section as I'm worried about recovery etc.

Thanks

In my area they never induce early or offer a c-section just for a big baby alone. I measured big all the way through but no other issues (no GD, no extra water). I ended up being induced due to my waters going and nothing happening for 2 days, which ended a day later in an emcs. 10 pound baby, never mind worrying about getting stuck, I never even got beyond 3cm because he was too big to engage into my pelvis.

Maybe it's different for you because of your history, but I would have quite liked to be given options at 39 weeks or so, rather than wait until 41 weeks when he was really massive. I'm pregnant again and if it's another big baby I will push for a scheduled cs, but that's just my preference. Rather dreading recovery with a 22 month old, so I can understand you wanting to avoid it especially with your older children. It's hard, but it does get better quite quickly (basically functional after 2 weeks in my experience, much better by 6-8 weeks).

The other issue is scans are so notoriously vague. Three days before I gave birth, my baby 'measured' 8.5 pounds. I'm pretty sure he didn't suddenly stack on 1.5 pounds while I was in labour.

Did the midwife tell you how much they expect baby to weigh at the minute? I'm 31 weeks today but my midwife hasn't given me a rough estimate or anything

I hope your birth goes oki OP sounds worrying after the third degree

My DD was 7lbs at 32 weeks. At 38weeks they induced me. She came out at 11lbs.
I dread to think what she would have been had I gone full term or over.
Natural birth and thankfully no tears either..

Ouch @GingersHaveSouls my first was 5lb 13oz and I thought that was painful

So... turns out the midwife is completely wrong & the baby is actually small 😞.. going back in 2 weeks for another scan & if still small they will discuss starting steroid injections!

Other end of spectrum to stress over now!!

Oh no @Babybeesmama I hope everything is oki with little one and they don't need the steroids but at least they are keeping an eye

@colourfulorangex

Your fundal height measurement follows along the line and should have an estimated weight on the other scale

But intermediate measurements are usually from if you have a growth scan. But these are by all accounts just as way off and pick a number out of thin air as fundal height. At least that's what I'm telling myself when the measurements today calculate my bean to be 5lb 8oz already at 33 weeks...

That's a big difference OP

@arbrighton I just went and had a look she is measuring just under the middle percentile - surprising what you forget isn't it, this is my second

That's the point- neither is particularly accurate and they can be wildly different too.
And we've just jumped from ~70 to 90 centiles between two growth scans (5 weeks apart)

OP, you need to get that photo deleted, it has your name and DOB on it! @Babybeesmama

🙈🙈😬 oops. I'm so tired & emotional I never realised!

The reason i was booked in for the growth scan is that I'm on ciclosporin (for severe eczema), the 2 risks with pregnancy are low birth weight & premature birth.. but the data that supports this is mainly on patients who take the drug for transplants... im on a much lower dose so was told not to worry so much about these risks. It just so happened midwife thought I was big so was going to send me for growth scan for opposite reason. X

Hi OP. Just wanted to let you know we have deleted the post with the photo in that identified you. Do feel free to crop it differently and post again. Best of luck with everything. MNHQ

Thanks Mumsnet 👍🏻.. really not on this planet today...

@ColourfulOrangex it did hurt, and labour happened so quickly, all they could give me was gas and air. Thankfully it was a quick birth, but oh my god... oh and the placenta was 5lbs. I thought I was having another baby. They took it off and weighed it cause they hadn't seen one so big.
I went into shock afterward though. Couldn't hold her for about an hour cause it all felt so surreal!!! She looked like a 3month old Eskimo as she had a full head of black hair too.
I'm crossing my legs thinking back on it 🤣🤣

Oh bless, little Eskimo wow I applaud you doing all that on just gas and air