Baby measuring too big

[MomofMany]

Hi, I am 38 weeks pregnant with my fifth child. I went to the doctor today and she measured my stomach and I am measuring at 45 weeks. She also said the baby feels very large. ( I have thought this for a while ) She sent me to the hospital to get an ultrasound to check on the weight and size of the baby. From the ultrasound the baby is measuring off the chart for weeks of pregnancy, she said the machine will only calculate up to 42 weeks and I am measuring over that and the baby is weighing around 11 pounds from what they could tell. I know that these things can be off a pound or two either way. My doctor has scheduled me for a c-section on Wednesday. I have never had a c-section. I have delivered twins that weighed 8 pounds 4 ounces and 7 pounds 9 ounces and one of them were breech, I have also delivered a 9 pound 4 1/2 ounce baby. I know that my body is capable of delivering a big baby but I do not know about 11 pounds!!! The doctor is saying that for the safety of the baby and myself that I should have the c-section. I do agree with her on this. I am just wondering how often these things are correct and if anyone else has experienced this. I am very scared of a c-section. I love the experience of having a child naturally and have never even had an epidural.
My question is how often are ultrasounds wrong on the weight and weeks of pregnancy and if this has happened to anyone else. Thank you guys for your time.

Hi MoM ...
My ultra sounds with DD were very accurate - she measured big and was very big (10 lbs 10oz) and I did have a c/section ...

BUT, BUT, BUT ...

I went into labour and didn't progress ... they tried to book me in for an elective but I refused. I knew I would probably end up with a c/s as I had had one with my son (also over 10 lbs and I am not big) but I was determined to at least see if I would progress.

I actually don't see know why you shouldn't be allowed to at least have a trial of labour. You have given birth to 4 other children (one of them big and the twins huge for twins) ... I think, if you want a trial of labour you should be able to demand it - you have no risk of scar rupture from a previous c/s (like I had and why I was induced)

I am not a midwife or anything but I think lots of MNer (and hopefully Mears, who is a midwife) will come on and tell you what I have said.

Where do you live?

Don't know about the accuracy of ultrasounds etc but wanted to express my sympathies and best wishes.

I am due for my first cs in October after 1 natural delivery which went badly. I am very scared too and in a way feel cheated by not being able to deliver my baby naturally which might seem absurd. I can understand why this is upsetting for you especially as you haven't had much time to prepare for the thought.

However, I know that, as in your case, this is purely for my and the baby's health and that ultimately is the most important consideration which outwieghs anything else.

Everybody that I know who has had a cs has positive things to say, particularly about the speed in which you can have your baby with you. You can still make it special by having nice music, and your dh with you.

The one tip that i have been given is not to look into the lights becuase you will see the reflect as to what is going on behind the screen.

As for epidurals - bliss! I had one to repair the damage I sustained giving birth to my dd and it was heaven. To do it you sit on the bed and the midwife cuddled me whilst the anaesthetist did the job. They give you an anaestheic to numb the area first which is no more painful than a blood test. I felt so relaxed after the epidural it was lovely.

I really hope everything goes well for you - just go with the flow and buy yourself some big granny knickers! Let us know how you get on
xx

hi MomofMany

The accuracy of EFW(estimated fetal weight)scans sometimes depends on the expertise of the person performing the scan.

I have seen some great variations in discrepancies

Is the hospital the same one where you delivered your previous babies?, your previous delivery notes should help to decide whether a trial of labour could be considered.

Were the deliveries spontaneous, no forceps or ventouse?

Did the doctor offer trial of labour?

I am also carrying quite a big baby, but not big enought o warrant CS. They told me the estimation can be 10% either way.

We live in New Hampshire. This is a new doctor and a new hospital for me. I keep going back and forth in my head. My husband is totally for the c-section for the mine and the babys safety. I am much more uncomfortable with this pregnancy and my stomach is stretching a lot more. I know this because part of the skin on my stomach has gone completely numb.. which is the same thing that happened with the twins. They say once it stretches so far this is what happens. I want to thank everyone for their comments and thoughts.

MomofMany - my cousin has just had an 11lb baby and she also was measuring 44/45cm at 38 weeks. The hospital had no idea baby was going to be so big so they left her to go overdue. She went over by 10 days and was 2 days in labour and the baby wasn't going anywhere. She ended up with an ECS and when they saw the size of him they knew they had done the right thing. His shoulders are HUGE! Her cervix would never have recovered she was told.

I would say for your own safety and for that of your baby's, go ahead for CS as the probabilities of you having an emergency are extremely high.

Hope all goes well.

Mine said the baby would be over 7lb and was a 1lb out (not much I know) at just 4 hours before he was born. I was also measuring big for dates but it turned out I had polyhydromnious.

I would be tempted to try and look more into having a natural delivery given your history at being great at delivering big and multiple babies.

My MIL is just about to undergo surgery for a vaginal prolapse (i.e basically everything has fallen out) due to the damage caused in childbirth 30 years ago and she is not the only person I know that has had to go through this - is it worth putting yourself at risk?