Delivering big babies - tell me everything

[Bernifal]

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!

Thanks so much for your stories everyone. It’s all quite reassuring that size doesn’t necessarily make a difference to birth experience, which is what I’ve heard from some family too.

The head is measuring just over 32cm, but the baby’s belly is way off the charts above the 95th centile. Also she has long legs, which is reassuringly adding to the weight. Because of the abdominal measurement I was sent for a second GD test but I didn’t get a call back today which hopefully means I’m clear.

Someone asked: When I said I had extra ‘rules’ for being overweight, it’s that I’m on a special pathway. Extra scans, not allowed a home birth, have to have an injection to deliver placenta, have to have a thingy they put in your vein during labour.

You actually don’t have to have any of those things I’d you

Sorry- if you don’t want to. Obviously if you have other health issues that’s different. But if you’re just a bit overweight I don’t see why you would need a cannula, for example. Or why you’d not be able to wait for the placenta to deliver.

Hmm, I will question this at my next appointment. It’s what I was told during a meeting with the hospital midwife. She said even though I’m otherwise low risk, these were things I would have to have/do due to having a BMI over 35 (I’m 35.62).

There is no ‘have to have’ in healthcare. It is entirely your choice whether to consent. The healthcare professionals job is to ensure you understand and have the information you need to make an informed decision. You'd be wis to listen and consider their advice but nothing is compulsory and they should tell you about what interventions are likely to mean for you.

I had big babies. My smallest was 9lb 3oz and by far the most difficult. Her problem was she was very long rather than round with pointy arms and a shoulder that stuck firmly. The others were a doddle. The last was 9lb 13oz and delivered in four hours without so much as a graze. I was in Tesco shopping with her two hours after delivery.

The midwife has worded it badly. These age things they may recommend you do - due to potentially having higher risk factors. However there is no “have to” with regards to labour - every one of those things are your choice

She worded it very badly then, because she used quite definite terms. Thanks for your input guys, it’s got me looking into my notes and I’ve just noticed my original midwife (who was very short) has my height down as 5’6 when I’m 5.9!! So I shouldn’t even be on this high bmi pathway by my calculation

I mention she was short because I remember her having a hard time getting to my head to measure my height

But if you’re just a bit overweight I don’t see why you would need a cannula, for example. Or why you’d not be able to wait for the placenta to deliver.

It’s because if you’re overweight you’re more likely to have a haemorrhage. So the aim is to deliver the placenta as soon as possible, to reduce the risk of a bleed. The cannula is because if someone does haemorrhage you don’t want to have to mess about trying to get access, you can give (potentially life saving) medication and/or fluids immediately.

But yes, it’s just advice, you don’t have to have those things if you don’t want to. However it’s advice that has your best interests at heart (though if you’re not actually overweight then that’s a bit of an oversight)

DD - 7lb 11oz (induction and epidural)
DS1 - 9lb 8oz (G&A)
DS2 - 8lb 6oz (G&A)

DS1 was by far the easiest to birth - no stress on my part, no montiors, no clips on his head (the other two needed them), no stitches, no feeling of broken ribs afterwards.

I feel like my body had something to hold on to and push out so it was much easier.

Yes you’re right, it is for good reason, I suppose they’re just things I’m squeamish about and I’m probably in a stress after worrying about GD results etc all day. Even though my mother and sister were very healthy weights they both bled a lot during pregnancy, so perhaps that’s something I should mention regardless.

DS2 was recognised by the GP as a "big" bairn as he prodded my bump, but no suggestion of any special intervention.

Went into labour naturally, then we almost had an emergency caesarean as he was apparently in distress, but he was too quick for the medics and made his appearance amid much fluster, and weighed in at 10 lbs.

All I remember really is creating a huge fuss about not wanting to get on the trolley to be moved to a new room (honestly, who asks a labouring woman to move herself from a bed onto a trolley?), a huge number of people milling about in said new room, and pooping on the table [class!]

The doctor came to apologise to me next day, and I couldn't have cared less, I was as happy as larry.

I was planning to start the exact same thread. Had a growth scan today as uterus was supposedly measuring small- instead they found that baby's head and abdomen are around the 95th centile, estimated 4lb11oz, I'm 32 weeks. Everyone's responses have been pretty reassuring, at the moment they've not said I have to change anything about my labour but I was a bit scared!

I would like to know if they're more likely to reccomend an epidural if the baby is bigger? Or the opposite in case it affects your ability to push?

I had a section because my baby was big and the doctor was worried he’d get stuck and suffer from shoulder dystocia or oxygen deprivation resulting in cerebral palsy or even death. She gave me a choice and I picked the safest option for the baby. The bonus was that I avoided any damage to my nether regions too. That’s a big benefit considering I could have ended up like SIL who was anally incontinent after tearing during birth.

Head circ not weight is a bigger factor as is the size and shape of your hips/

You can be short or tall with narrow hips in which case you are more likely to have an issue than if you are tall or short and have wide/flared hips.

Mums are often only interested in weights but the hospital will also take other measurements into consideration before making a recommendation.

My mum was only 5'3" and biggest was very nearly 12 lbs - no problem with delivery.