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

Original poster

Shoulder dystocia - large baby

50 replies

Jummynbean · 20/06/2019 18:31

Just been told today at 36 weeks that my baby weighs 7lbs and is now classed as a large baby.

Is there anyone out there that was told they were having a large baby, but was actually born a reasonable size/weight?

Also is there anyone else out there that did birth a big baby and everything was fine

Finally those that birthed big babies and had complications....were the effects temporary or permanent for both you and the baby.

Thank you, I'm freaking out and need to decide whether it's safer to opt for c section, be induced early or try carrying to full term.

Thank you

OP posts:
Kel801 · 20/06/2019 18:35

I had a 10lb 8oz baby. It ended in emergency CS after a long long labour, he just wasn’t fitting out.
I just hung on to the hope that they’ll get him out safe

Almahart · 20/06/2019 18:36

One of my babies was huge. 11ib. I wish I had had a section, it was a hugely traumatic birth and I have suffered since

Others will have had good experiences I’m sure

SheDancesOnTheSand · 20/06/2019 18:38

I had a planned c section and I am so glad I did! DS came out at 10lbs 11.5oz. There is no way I could've pushed him out.

Betty1064 · 20/06/2019 18:42

My DS was 8lb 7oz so not actually considered "large", however he had a shoulder dystocia.

I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant and have been told that shoulder dystocia happens in babies of any size and babies position is the biggest cause.

Induction wasn't the greatest experience for me but recovery was easy in comparison to a c-section. I think you have to consider all the pros and cons and make your decision from there. Ultimately yours and babies safety comes first.

bitchfromhell · 20/06/2019 18:44

Ds was a 10lb c section baby. His head was actually a reasonable size but his shoulders are so broad I wouldn't have had a chance. If I did it all again I'd book a section.

anitagreen · 20/06/2019 18:46

I had a growth scan at I think 36 weeks they said she was nearly 9lb she was born at 42+4 7lb9 I wouldn't take them too serious. X

WoogleCone · 20/06/2019 18:46

My 9lb 3oz DD came out with forceps/episiotomy and we were both fine.

DD2 just came out at 11lb 8oz and after she was scanned at that size, I had a section the next day.
Honestly, if you're going to be giving birth to a baby close to or over 10lb, I'd be after an elective. I had a really positive experience in what was a terrifying situation with all the risks of an 11lb-er. I was scared but it wasnt as bad as I had built it up to be in my head.

Good luck and congratulations!

Faster · 20/06/2019 18:48

I was induced at 37w due to DS scanning as big, induction didn’t work and I had a section at 37+5 and he was 9lb6.5. I’m very glad I had a section.

xyzandabc · 20/06/2019 18:57

We had no idea dc 3 was big. First 2 were 7lb something at 42 weeks so wasn't expecting anything over 8lbs ish..

Dc3 was also a 42 weeker, was meant to be a home water birth but ended up transferring by ambulance at 10cm at my request as I felt I wasn't getting anywhere with pushing.

Less than 30mins at hospital and he had shoulder dystocia for 3.5 minutes. It was only traumatic for those 3.5 minutes plus the 10 mins after as his apgar score was only 1 at 1 minute old. I didn't see him while they resucitated him but dh did and it did scare him a bit. Dc3 was 10lb5oz.

The midwives and doctors were absolutely amazing. Very glad we were in hospital and once the buzzer was pressed, in the 3.5 minutes before he came out an extra 15 people arrived in the room to assist. Truly thankful for the NHS.

Neither of us have any long lasting effects. I can't even remember any short term ones tbh.

The scans can be notoriously out when it comes to estimating baby's size though. I'm not sure if want to out myself through a section just because someone thought baby might be big.

Lauren83 · 20/06/2019 18:59

I was offered a c section due to them feeling he was getting too big, he was 97th centile for head and abdomen, I declined the section and took the induction which failed after 3 days of trying so had a section on the 4th day and he was 9lbs at 38.3 weeks

TastingTheRainbow · 20/06/2019 19:32

Not had big babies myself but something to bear in mind.

The vast majority of shoulder dystocia cases happen in ‘normal’ sized babies.

Induction of labour for suspected large babies INCREASES the risk of shoulder dystocia and doesn’t prevent it. NICE guidelines recommended against it for this reason.

elQuintoConyo · 20/06/2019 19:53

My 4.4kg son with big head and shoulders was born by forceps and episiotomy - big one! He had shoulder dystocia and nerve damage on his right shoulder-to-neck muscle, couldn't raise his arm. He had s month of physio and was always trying to wave that arm about more than the left, by 2 months old there was no discernible difference between arms.

In hindsight i should have had an emcs, I was one push away, but ds had come halfway down the birth canal, changed his mind and shot back up!

He's 7.5yo now and still broad shouldered, plays rugby Grin

I won't mention my nether regions as you'd all be crossing your legs!

Stroan · 20/06/2019 20:02

I had a 10lbs 3oz baby with shoulder dystocia. As a PP said, it was only traumatic for the few minutes it took for the doctors to get her out and immediately after birth while she was resuscitated. No other effects.

That said, I'm having an ELCS in 9 weeks because I think labour would be horrible if you were worrying about the same thing happening again.

However, there are LOADS more anecdotes about babies being estimated big and actually being average sized.

AppropriateAdult · 20/06/2019 20:04

Both my babies were over 9lbs, so not monsters but still fairly big - second one was 9lb 13oz (4.46kg) and was delivered vaginally with just a tiny bit of help from the vacuum. Had episiotomy on first and small tear on second, both healed beautifully with no lasting ill-effects.

Jowak1 · 20/06/2019 20:05

My second baby was 10lb 5 ounces and labour was straightforward no problems or issues x

TwoBlueFish · 20/06/2019 20:12

DS2 was a large baby and I opted for planned induction at 38 weeks. He was 9.5lbs with a big head and shoulders. I ended up having an episiotomy as his shoulders just wouldn’t come out. He had quite a bruised cone head when he did come out and obviously I had some healing to do but no real long term effects for either of us.

ChiaraRimini · 20/06/2019 20:15

Growth scans are notoriously inaccurate
Shoulder dystocia is rare. Do you have any reason to think there is an elevated risk in your case?

Di11y · 20/06/2019 20:19

DD2 was 9lb 5 and got stuck but not for long. she was fine once she'd calmed down. I walked like I'd ridden a horse for a couple of weeks.

WineGummyBear · 20/06/2019 20:19

DC1 vaginal delivery with shoulder dystocia.

DC2 was measuring big. I wanted a C section but was persuaded by midwife to go for vaginal delivery and we compromised on induction at 38 weeks. 7lb6. Excellent midwives were very reassuring throughout. Found out afterwards the consultant was outside the door in case she was needed (she wasn't).

WineGummyBear · 20/06/2019 20:22

Echo the point about growth scans. They are notoriously inaccurate!

DoingItForTheKids · 20/06/2019 20:26

First thing to say is, song panic. Firstly, sizing babies is wildly inaccurate from one scan/ belly measurement so it could be they are not big at all. Make sure you get a series of scans, that way it becomes a more accurate picture.

Secondly, as others have said, the size of a baby does not indicate how easy/ hard the birth will be. Smaller babies still get shoulder distocja. Larger babies are regularly born with no difficulties.

I've had two 'big babies' (one of them 10lb+) with absolutely no problems at all. No interventions and minor tearing. Both births were 'nice' and much better than lots of my friends who had smaller babies.

There are a couple of good threads on here about positive birth stories for larger babies. Have a search. Lots of women having 11-14lb babies naturally (some at home water births!).

Unfortunately, no one can tell you the size of the baby exactly so you just have to make decisions that are best for you based on the information you are given.

Zoe2411 · 20/06/2019 20:30

I had a 10lb first baby , shoulder dystocia but no stitches or episiotomy and managed with gas and air so pain wise I think the same as any other birth as my second baby was just as painful and she was predicted at 10lb4 based on a scan 4 days before I had her and she was a diddly 7lb3.
Don't take them too seriously . My son was supposed to be 7lb5 a scan the day before I had him and that was clearly wrong and my girl the opposite way around .

I now think it will be what it will be and will go the way it goes , either way you will be fine however baby gets out but do what makes you feel the most comfortable and least panicked :) xx

MuthaFunka61 · 20/06/2019 20:31

My sons were 8lb11 & 9lbs5.
I'm 5ft4 and had no intervention and no episiotomy but woman did my hip pelivis hurt with the 2nd.
This was 30 yrs ago but I don't think women have changed so much in the interim.

Go with your original plan knowing that you can change your mind during labour and that millennium of women have gone before and are rooting for you.

Good luck and blessings

randomsabreuse · 20/06/2019 20:34

Mine was measuring big at 36 & 38 weeks and we decided to induce because I'd needed a ventouse with my 6.13 1st born after a quick labour (So not tired).. was exactly 8lb at 38 +3 So not huge but glad we didn't wait to 42 weeks!

Labour was basically identical to my spontaneous first labour, needed a ventouse again and only needed the gel to get things going.

Reallybadidea · 20/06/2019 20:35

I had serial growth scans throughout my last pregnancy because I have a medical condition which can cause growth restriction. Baby was predicted to be about 7-8lbs at term. On the basis of that I had a home birth. Really straightforward labour, second stage was recorded as 3 minutes and he was out in a couple of pushed. Put him on the scales and he was 10lb 13oz Shock So yes, scans can be inaccurate! But also a big baby doesn't necessarily mean a difficult or traumatic delivery.

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