Large baby - induction, c-section

[Chester1980]

I’m 36 weeks pregnant and my baby measured at 39 weeks. Going back next week to check again in case it was a growth spirt....if not I will be referred for a scan.

Blood pressure and blood tests are all fine, so gestational diabetes doesn’t seem to be a concern.

Has anyone else had this situation? What was the outcome? Did everything proceed naturally?

I’ve had it in my head the baby will be late - but if it keeps growing at this rate!!

I wouldn't go by what you measure or what the scan places you at to be honest. I had growth scans weekly with my DD from 34 weeks, and at 36 weeks she was measuring too small, and they placed her weight at less than 5lb so I was induced to get her out and help her gain weight, and when she was born a couple of days later, she was 6lb 2oz. Although if I was told she was going to be big, I'd be worried too hope it all works out ok!

My large baby wasn’t spotted until I was already 7 days late. I was being reviewed by the midwife and my fundal measurements was 48 and she got the consultant in. I had a scan and they estimated his weight 10lb 6 but also said that it is an estimate and he could be bigger or smaller than that. I ended up having a planned c section and he was 11lb 4! You are being checked earlier than me which is good and it may all be fine at the next check. Even if you do have to get a scan they are not 100% accurate at weight prediction. Enjoy your last few weeks!

When I had my last baby (11lb 7), he had measured 2 weeks bigger ever since they started measuring. There was a woman in the bed across from me who had a planned section as growth scans showed the baby was going to be 'huge' .... he was 8lb

I didn’t think that the baby being big was a reason for intervention unless there were other factors?

Had this three times.

Baby one. Went in to labour naturally. After 20 hours of contractions I had 3 hours of pushing so was taken into theatre and given a spinal. Baby was pulled out with a ventouse with tearing. Baby was 9lb 6 at 40 weeks with a big head.

Baby 2. Measuring big and I had gestational diabetes. Was induced at 37+5 which took 4 days and resulted in a blood transfusion. Baby was 9lb 1.

Baby 3. Suspected large shoulders and measuring big. After the faff of the previous induction i opted for a planned c section. Baby was 8lb 5 at 37 weeks. Best birth of the three.

Not sure how helpful that all is, it’s tricky because they can’t teallt tell. Good luck.

I know my babies werent massive by the way, but each time their size was being monitored.

Just to add to the mix, mine were 9.9 and 10.6, and I had the easiest births of anyone I know. I knew they were going to be big, and I was monitored more towards the end, and there were a few concerns expressed, but there were no problems. I still remember the lovely doctor who instead of frowning and saying “hmm, measuring a bit big” smiled and said “A fine sturdy baby in there”.

What measurements have they used? Is it just the tape measure?

Hi,

Midwife here. The PP is right that there is actually no evidence to support offering induction of labour or elective cesarean section for a suspected 'big' baby and NICE guidelines support this. I use the quotation marks because measuring fundal height and estimating fetal weight by scan (especially at such a late gestation) are often notoriously inaccurate when compared with the actual weight of the baby at birth.

The customised growth charts that most Trusts use were actually developed to spot babies that were small but by measuring and plotting, 'big' babies are also highlighted. It is far more worrying if a baby is not growing properly than if a baby is growing well.

It is also very unusual for a woman to grow a baby that she physically cannot birth. Hence why IOL/section shouldn't be recommended in such cases. An increased risk of shoulder dystocia may be mentioned to you as a reason for offering IOL or elective section and indeed, a large baby has been found to be an associated factor in some cases of shoulder dystocia. But there are also many, many other associated factors including induction of labour and maternal position at the time of birth. Shoulder dystocia cannot be predicted and in many cases there are no associated risk factors present.

If your GTT and BP are normal then you are likely just growing a lovely healthy baby who is perhaps bigger than the average 7.5lber. But that's the nature of averages....some babies will be bigger and some smaller

Happy for you to PM me if you'd like more info. Speaking as a midwife and also a woman who recently gave birth to her 'large' 9lbs 6oz baby at home.

I'm 37 weeks and my baby has consistently measured above the 90th centile on growth scans. Consultant wanted to book me in for an induction at 38 weeks due to size and got quite irritable with me when I questioned why as everything I've read says induction actually increases the risk of shoulder dystocia.
I've seen different STR's/consultants at each appointment and some have suggested I should consider an ELCS due to baby's size and the fact that I have a "small pelvis" while others have been adamantly against this so it seems to be an area where opinion is very much divided.