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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Delivering big babies - tell me everything

41 replies

Bernifal · 31/05/2019 17:02

My baby’s measuring at 7.1lbs at my 34 week scan, which means she could be 10lbs at birth. I’ve seen from other mums here that these measurements aren’t always accurate, but I was really hoping for a natural birth, and I’m not sure what the hospital are going to ask me to do, or recommend me do.

Everything I’ve read online says they will suggest induction or c section, but when I called the hospital to ask she said they prefer not to intervene if possible. I’m not sure which I should believe really! Since I have a slightly high BMI there are lots of out-of-the-box rules for my labour I don’t have a say in, so why would this be different?

Anyway... have you given birth naturally to a chonker? Tell me everything!

OP posts:
Mesmeri · 31/05/2019 17:06

Gravity is your friend. It probably depends on a few different factors, but sometimes, weirdly, big babies don't need much pushing out because if you stand or squat they bear down quite heavily for themselves...

OllyBJolly · 31/05/2019 17:08

DD2 was 9lb 12 - very quick and easy birth. No drugs (no time!).

MrsDrudge · 31/05/2019 17:19

My 5ft tall (just) friend of size 3 shoe gave birth to a 10.12 baby boy in 5 hours start to finish! Sometimes size doesn’t matter.

Dandelion1993 · 31/05/2019 17:21

DD2 was induced at term for measuring big 9lb 3oz.

Spent an hour pushing but she'd got stuck in a high position and due to her size, couldn't get out it so had an emergency section.

Foxmuffin · 31/05/2019 17:21

I was told I was having a big baby. His size wasn’t an issue. The issue was he was trying to come down at an angle. I really don’t think size matters too much!

Kanga83 · 31/05/2019 17:31

My babies were 10lbs 9lbs and 10lbs 10lbs. With my first I tried naturally but my pelvis was just too small so I had an emergency c-sec- recovery from which was absolutely fine . I chose an elective c-sec with my second.

picklelegs · 31/05/2019 17:35

My best friend delivered two big babies (both almost 12 pounds) at home with not even gas and air. No problems and very minor tearing.

melissasummerfield · 31/05/2019 17:38

9lb10 baby , no drugs, normal delivery!

The measurements are not that accurate ime , they told be ds1 would be big and he was just 7lb

Orchidflower1 · 31/05/2019 17:40

I’ve had a tiny and an average size baby and tiny was much harder to deliver and recover from. Hope this helps - I know you asked about big babies but my 5lb baby left me with third degree tears but my sister had no issues with my 9.8lb dn!

Starlive23 · 31/05/2019 17:42

Mine was predicted to be 10lb and I was booked in for c section. She was 9'11 so not far off. I'm only 4'9 and quite narrow so they felt it was a reasonable decision and I didn't disagree. I'm not sure about the natural method of course but my hospital'#s policy is to offer a c section when babies are on or over 90th centile, but others could be different!

HJWT · 31/05/2019 17:42

Size doesn't matter as long as baby is in the right position you will be fine fat in squishy 😁

PancakesAndMapleSyrup · 31/05/2019 17:42

OP were you tested for gestational diabetes at all? That's quite big!

HalfBloodPrincess · 31/05/2019 17:42

I’ve had 4 babies - smallest was 6lb 5 and biggest was 9lb. Honestly no difference between the births of any of them.

FWIW my 7lb - At - 34 weeker was born at 40+3 and was 8lb 4oz

MrsWidgerysLodger · 31/05/2019 17:44

DD was 9lb 13 and very quick labor and delivery. Gas and air only, no tearing.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 31/05/2019 17:47

I think it's head size not overall size if that makes sense.

My dc both had huge heads and relatively small bodies (dc1 was six pounds nine ounces) and despite being optimally positioned got stuck in my pelvis and were delivered by emcs.

The 2 of my friends who tore badly both had equally giant headed babies as me, whereas I have friends and family who delivered 10 to 12 pound babies with sub 70 percentile heads with zero issues.

My 5'2 grandmother had a brace of massive babies at home with no tears and only a swig of whisky as pain relief (there was a war on).

DoingItForTheKids · 31/05/2019 17:53

10lb 2oz baby last time (estimated to be 8lb...). No problems birthing at all. Had an epidural as I had constant contractions but still no intervention needed.

This time I've been under consultant care with extra scans for baby size. This one was estimated to be about 9lbs at my 39 week scan. Now nearly 41 weeks and no sign yet.... They are happy for me to go to 42 weeks with no intervention but that's because I had no problems birthing a big baby before.

I was convinced I'd have to fight to not be induced or have to have a c-section (neither of which I want) but consultants have been great with supporting my wishes.

I'd say baby size definitely doesn't indicate whether a birth will be difficult or not so try not to worry.

BertrandRussell · 31/05/2019 18:00

Mine were 9’9 and 10’6. No suggestion ever of induction or c section- straightforward labour with no pain relief, a few stitches but nothing too drastic. When you say there are “rules” for your labour what do you mean?

Tootyfrooty35 · 31/05/2019 18:03

I make 11lbers 😂
DS1 was 11lb5 born at home at 42w, no pain relief and second degree tear. Was a three hour labour! Was hard work but felt amazing after. Second degree tear.
DS2 was 11lb10. Chose to be induced as didn't want a 12lber at home lol,had growth scans etc which were VERY accurate. Was 41w and AROM worked, longer, more intense labour than second time, 8 hours in total and ended in a shoulder dystocia. Slightly scary but resolved very quickly and we're both fine.

I will almost certainly opt for a section next time unless I'm favourable for induction at like 38w. My pelvic floor has worked hard!

TheBitterBoy · 31/05/2019 18:04

Head size is definitely a major factor. DC was 4kg exactly, so pretty big but not massive, but head was 98th centile, which explained needing an episiotomy and forceps. V close to needing emc.

Tootyfrooty35 · 31/05/2019 18:05

Oh and mine have 98th centile heads too so big all round! But don't look big, are super squishy and cuddly and even fit newborn clothes for week or so 😂😂😂

mnahmnah · 31/05/2019 18:07

My second was 10lb 11oz. No one expected a big baby, I measured spot on throughout. So labour commenced as normal. It was straightforward, more so than with my first (8lb 12oz), no issues or interventions. Everyone was shocked how big he was! I’m glad I didn’t know beforehand though!

Hefuckingknowsit · 31/05/2019 18:09

DC2 was only 9lb but he was early.

His head circumference was of the scale on the centile chart Grin

3hr labour and birth, just G&A, no intervention, no tears and home same day pain free.

In contrast, DC1 was just 6lb and had a 48hr labour, 2.5hr pushing, forceps, cut, further tear and in agony for a week.

Tootyfrooty35 · 31/05/2019 18:09

I don't remember the ring of fire thing with Ds1 but my word I felt it 8 weeks ago with ds2.... It was so bad I was literally crossing my legs despite chugging on the gas and air! His head was 38.5cm and I think they reckon a head over 36cm is hard for most women to delivery.

PrimeraVez · 31/05/2019 18:13

DS1 was 10”3. DS2 was 8”0. I would sooner give birth to DS1 five times over, than go through my labor with DS2 again.

I had an amazing drug free water birth with DS1. DS2 was also a vaginal delivery using G&A but I was induced (at my request as I was 4 days overdue) which in hindsight I regret.

redbedheadd · 31/05/2019 18:31

No advice as I had a c section (my choice) but my hospital were very much "we don't do c sections for big babies at all"

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