repeat scan due to size of baby (and head in particular) - what will they actually do, do you think?

[Tutter]

amazing though it may seem, i didn't actually ask this question last time they scanned me

am off for another scan next week (when i'll be 34+4) to check on his growth. at 30+4 his head was measuring 34+6 so they said they needed to keep an eye "in case there are implications for delivery"

anyone any experience of this? did anything change as a result (planned section?)?

I discussed options with the consultant after a growth scan at 35 weeks. She reckoned no point going for an early induction (which some consultants like to do), which I was glad of because it tallied with my research which shows that inducing early for big baby doesn't help. I was given a choice of scheduling an elective c/s or trying spontaneous vaginal delivery, although she recommended trying vaginal delivery (which is what I did).

My DS never engaged, by the way, and one thing she did say was that if he continued not to engage and I then went significantly overdue they would suggest proceeding straight to a planned c/s rather than trying induction, as in her experience where there was a big baby not engaged and a couple of weeks overdue induction was rarely successful.

In the end he never engaged (and moved to posterior in the last couple of days, the little tinker) but my waters went at 39+4, had a long pre-labour/labour and got to fully dilated and a couple of hours of pushing but he never moved down further than 0 station and eventually we had an unplanned c/s.

thanks lemonaid - interesting

fio, no ds was only 7lbs5oz but head was again bigger than average - as a result had a sizeable episiotomy after 2 hours of second stage. tbh postpartum piles were a bigger problem (quite litereally) than the episiotomy, and have been a problem since

seems as though ds2 is generally bigger, with a bigger head

When I was about 34 weeks with DD1 they measured her head size and said it was the size of a 42 weeks baby already. They didn't do anything about it but I was really worried about delivering a mega head.
When she was born at 38 weeks her head was on the 25th centile, I doubt it had shrunk they just got the measurements very wrong! They probably want to monitor the growth, you may find it hasn't really grown.

that's odd, goingfor3

i've had several scans and his head has measured mahoosive each time, so doubt it's an error tbh

DD measured big and they repeatedly did growth scans. In the end they were very concerned about shoulder distocia and said that they would prefer to deliver her via elective CS as they thought she was huge and I wouldn't be able to deliver her (I had other medical complications too). In the end DD was born at 38 weeks via planned section and was quite a diddy 7lb 6oz, not the 9lber they'd repeatedly told me to expect.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the scans are not always that acurate, but do follow medical advice. I'm glad I did as DD is perfect and it took the stress and worry away.

Good luck!

thanks for that

i know that scans can't be relied on to give the overall size (i.e. predicted weight) of a baby, but the measurement of the skull is pretty accurate - it's a 'real' measurement iyswim

I do remember than when the sonographer marked the circle around her head there was a gap all around and thinking it wasn't to accurate, even dp noticed.

I hope all goes well for you. My second was heavier and had a larger head and came out without any problems, it is easier second time round.

hi tutter.... i know you are anxious about the size of this DSs head....the key to i think ,might be a wait and see

if this baby does not start to engage before labour, as second babies often don't...regardless of head size, do you think that the hospital will try to encourage a c.s?

have you discussed an elective episiotomy with them..as per previous thread.. you have given birth to a baby with a big head ,so that is good!

there are positions you can use to open up the pelvis more when having a bigger baby....

also, as has been demonstrated ..growth scans not always right !!

I had my baby by c/s 10 days ago specifically because of big head size.

I had numerous scans, all of which predicted a big head, and they were right as it measured 38 cms at birth and he was 60 cms long (although quite skinny and weighed only 8lb 7oz). The first thing the consultant said when she took him out was "oh, what a big head".

My last baby had the same head size and his was a dreadful vaginal birth with tears and cuts. I'm so glad I had a c/s both for baby's sake and my lovely, intact pelvic floor. Recovery hasn't been too bad at all either.

i too had a scan at 34 weeks (first baby) to check growth and delivery options. Although baby was big, the dr thought i should try a normal delivery rather then a planned section. He told me that because i am tall, relatively fit with "wide hips" (yeah thanks, i'm only a bloody size 12!), he thought i would labour well! however he said that my chances of needing intervention or an emergency c section would be quite high. DS arrived 3 weeks ago, 9lb 7oz, 59cm long and 38cm head. A trouble free ventouse delivery with just a small cut and stitches. i hope your scan goes well next week.

My first was considered a big baby, so I had extra scans (which I needed anyway) and so when I asked, ok, he's big, what about the head? (common sense to me!) they swore blind all would be ok, with my hips
I required an emergency c-section because his head was too big and at the time the Dr who came to check on me, scared me even further by saying stop pushing now or you'll brain damage the child!
As it goes he is fine, but scared the hell out of me!
Hope the scan and people there can make a proper judgement for you!

I had exactly this with DS. They spotted he had a gigantic head and I was scanned a couple of times at 34-36 weeks to make sure the measurements were exact. He never engaged, and the consultant explained that where their heads are not engaged it is difficult to induce. (DS never got anywhere near engaged, and in fact was so high he virtually had to be dynamited out!) Consultant said in her professional experience, although it is possible for babies to drop and engage in a very short time, it was extremely unlikely for it to happen with a first baby with such a large head.

We had a chat about it at 37/38 weeks and her recommendation was an elective CS - it was actually a nice thing to make a positive decision when I could consider all of the issues, rather than later. I went to 40 weeks, as she thought it important to go to term as there were no other implications than a large head.

My planned CS was a very relaxed and happy event (DH and I went out for a light dinner and a glass of champagne the evening before!)and Ds was absolutely fine - and did have a HUGE head: can't remember cms but high 90's on centiles and I am 5'3". (DH and his siblings had been exactly the same and my MIL had had a bad time with all of them). I also was very pleased to have had a CS in relaxed conditions rather than the "trial of labour".

Recovery was also fine - when they know they are doing a CS and there is no need for speed its not too traumatic at all.

I had an extra scan at 32 weeks, because he looked abit big at the 24 week scan. The guy who scanned me said 'he looks abit bigger than average, but he wont be too big' My midwife said he'd be about 8 1/2-9lb. I didn't really think about the head size. Anyhow he was huge! He weighed 10lb, 59cm long and his head was 39cm long. I needed forceps for delivery and the Dr delivering him said that his head wouldn't have come out naturally! He had to spend 6 days in Special Care due to the trauma of birth, but now he's absolutely fine. If I have anymore children I would seriously consider a section - not so much for me, but the baby.

Scans do seem to be a real lottery! Hope all goes well for you.

My scan was bang on with the measurements for my 3rd baby. I had him induced at 38 weeks. The scan 3 days before had revealed an estimated birth weight of 9lb 11oz. they induced 3 days later and he was born at 10lb, 63cm long and head circumference of 41cm.....the placenta was massive and juicy and the midwife had to go off and find bigger scissor type things to cut the cord as it was so thick....his dad is tall with a big head. But now he is 9..he is one of the smallest in his class...lol

4th baby was induced at 40 weeks as they said he was bigger....he was only 8lb 5...they got that very wrong!

let us know how you get on.

thanks all - will bear your experiences in mind when speaking with the doc afetr the scan next week