Can I request induction at 40 weeks? Massive baby!

[SolsticeBabyMaybe]

I had a scan at week 33 and my baby was measured as 6lbs!

I'm not diabetic and haven't gained much weight during pregnancy, so I think she's just big because I am tall.

I am worried as 3 family members have had 11lb babies (different women, no diabetes), and two had extremely risky, difficult births.

I would like to know if the NHS are likely to accept my request to be induced at 40 weeks? (I'm now 36 weeks). I feel like she will be big but I'm worried about the dangers if she goes overdue and becomes an 11lb-er...

Anyone have any experience of this?

Baby size runs in families - from your mothers side though

Sizing isn't always accurate so try not to worry. You can ask for induction at 40 weeks but they don't have to give it to you

I was induced at 41 weeks & had 10lb 4 baby - next baby was 9 3 at 37 weeks - despite measuring 47cm

@ny20005

They are my aunts on my mum's side so yes could be...

Am worried as none of them were predicted to be quite as big as they were, worried this will happen to me...

Just wondered if they ever give inductions due to predicted size? I have another scan this week

My friend had a cs due to size worries.

She was tiny though, very small boned and very narrow pelvis I presume.

It is a bad idea to be induced if your body is not ready. There are signs they can check such as whether your cervix is effaced and/or dilated. My baby was having some issues so they had to get him out and I was offered induction or c-section. My body was not at all ready for birth. Induction failed and I ended up with a c-section anyway, but I had to go through 24 hours of unpleasant, uncomfortable, and at times painful time at the hospital. Also I could only have clear liquids just in case, so I felt really awful by the time the section happened.

Btw I was 40 + 1 so it's not a matter of that.

With my first, I measured big throughout my pregnancy and they still let me go to 41+3. She was born by CS after three failed inductions and was 11lb 6.5oz.

With my second I had an elective CS at 39+2. She was 9lb 13.

Both my brother and I were 10lb babies, so I think there is something in baby size running in families through the mother's side.

My dil was induced 2 weeks early last month due to the babys size

I wouldn't take the scan weight serious at all with my daughter they told me at 34 weeks she was 8lb I went to 42+4 and she was 7lb9

I was induced early due to size. Baby was quite a bit less big than predicted though.

Scan size is completely unreliable - I also had 3rd trimester scans predicting an 11lb baby - in my case this led to a planned cesarean at 38 weeks because I'd had a previous long drawn out failed induction followed by difficult emergency section for a back to back 9lb baby and had extensive internal scaring which meant even under ideal circumstances a vbac was risky.

The "huge" baby was a modest 8lb 6oz (albet at 38+0, but he'd never have been 11lb)

They casually told me the scans for big rather than restricted growth babies are usually accurate to around 2lb either side... The bigger the baby in the 3rd trimester the less easy to measure accurately.

Your mother's sister's 11lb babies might be more relevant really.

Definitely talk to your midwife about your concerns.

At 40 week you are likely to go into labour naturally. There's no reason to suppose you will have a difficult birth, even with a big baby. Induction takes longer and is more painful than natural.

I was told at 36 weeks my babies were over 7lb each, i was induced and they were born 6 days later at 5lb1 and 5lb9 so another one saying not reliable at all.

I also wouldn't opt for an induction unless actually necessary either.. from experience.

I was induced at 38+3 the issues than size but baby was measuring big. She came out 6lb 9oz. I'd had 4 growth s and all showing above 97th centile so I would take scan measurements with a pinch of salt. They predicted she'd be around 10lbs. She hit 10lbs at 16 weeks old!

I was. Serial growth scans suggested over 95th centile and I'd had a ventouse with my 6.13 1st born after spontaneous labour at 38+3. Couple of incidences of reduced movements, another scan suggesting even bigger, and I was induced at 38 +2.

24h later had another ventouse with 8lb baby. No need for drip, just the gel. Labour was basically identical to my first as well.

Didn't really have to fight for it either - consultant suggested it and went in 2 days later.

I had a lot of scans throughout my last pregnancy because baby was measuring "big", but he was 8.5 which isnt that big!

Talk to your midwife about if now and say that's what you'd like. They're normally happy to induce.
But don't worry about the size, a heavier baby can be easier to birth as the weight stimulates your cervix more and gravity will help more. Just stay upright as much as you can in labour and pushing. Kneeling, squatting and standing.
Your body is amazing and can handle this. Believe in yourself, induction or not.

I was told that my dd would be about 9.5lbs. Had growth scans as she was measuring really big.
She was born at exactly 7lbs and newborn clothes were too big for her.

A big baby doesn't mean a difficult birth...however getting induced almost definitely means a difficult birth.

I had the induction drip, after 22 hours in labour, to get me from 9 to 10cm dilated....it was awful, 100 times worse then naturally contractions...I don't know why anyone would sign themselves up for it!

@sianyb83 this is exactly the same as me! Although I went in to be induced and had already started dilating, finally went on drip after baby had not changed from 9cm for 6 hours and it was INTENSE. Contractions back to back I would advise anyone to hold off 😩

I can’t comment on baby size as I’ve had 2 sfga and 1 only 6lb 6oz and expecting a 4th who is currently only on 14th percentile on growth scans!

HOWEVER, why don’t you speak with your MW and ask for a sweep before 40weeks to help get things moving? Some people have had several sweeps by the time they get to 40weeks! With my first I was due to be induced at 39weeks but had already had 2 sweeps by then and my waters went naturally the night before my induction! So glad I never actually needed the induction after all I’ve read about them! Looks like I will be induced this time round though 🙈 dependent on my next scan results 😞
Good luck with whatever route you take x

Thanks everyone for your responses. It's good to have more info about how inductions work, and how inaccurate the measures can be!

I just got scared because there were difficult births with large babies. including trapped shoulders which nearly killed auntie and cousin.

But I went for my scan today and she's measuring 7lb4, at week 36, so she's big but not as massive as I was expecting,and no one seems too alarmed :)

Judging from what everyone has said I think I will stick with it and not try and get induced unless suggested by the doctors