Induction because of big baby!?

[Abz26]

I'm only 34 weeks but my midwife has been talking about potentially inducing me at 39 weeks because growth scans have shown that my baby is pretty big and they're concerned because I'm very petite.
Has anyone else had this experience, did you go for the induction or just wait for labor to start naturally? I'm concerned about the risks of induction and really want a natural labor with as little intervention as possible. Also, I've heard that scans aren't very accurate always?
I'm getting advice left right and centre and it all seems to be different, really don't know what the best thing to do is so would be glad to hear of anyone who has been in a similar situation...

Hi OP, I was induced at 39 weeks but not because of a big baby. It was due to reduced movements. I had a wonderful experience and was able to deliver naturally in the pool as once my waters were broken I went into labour without the drip. I would just say prepare for a long wait as you have to wait at least 24 hours once the pessary goes in to allow your cervix to open enough for them to break your waters. You also have to wait for a bed on labour ward, if it's busy then you won't be going down. I went in on Thursday and delivered on Saturday once space was available.

I did have growth scans throughout and I was estimated a 7lb 15oz baby at 37 weeks but delivered a 7lb 13oz baby at 39 weeks.

I'll be having this OP but because of previous big babies which were delivered naturally at 42 weeks.
I'm really nervous about the whole hospital birth, pessaries, drips etc. I'd rather my baby come when it's ready but I know it's probably for the best.
My previous babies were predicted on the larger side (8-9lbs) with growth scans but not a cause for concern so I don't think they're that accurate.

@Abz26 I had the exact opposite problem with my first. Everyone was very casual about me delivering my 10lb baby from my petite frame! I’m just so thankful he wasn’t late as the birth was difficult enough for me. I think it is whatever feels best to you xx

I was due to be induced at 38+6 for DC3 because I had gestational diabetes and he was measuring huge but he arrived naturally at 38+4 so no need They did give me 2 stretch and sweeps to try and induce labour naturally, I don't know if that's what made the difference.

It doesn't have to be all or nothing, you can agree to some forms of induction but not others. I had a meeting with the consultant to discuss and had agreed to be induced with the pessary / waters breaking, but that I wouldn't agree to the hormone drip. (I had a horrible time on the hormone drip with DC1 after labour stalled). They proposed allowing a much longer wait after having your water broken (24 hours) and if I hadn't gone into labour by then, it would have been a c section.

I was entered into a "big baby research trial" I fell into the group that they were going to induce me at 39 weeks, however they checked the position of my baby and due to his size they decided that a C-Section was best.

Normally they encourage a natural birth with a big baby but it does depend on your health, actual size of the baby and the position their in.

My consultant initially didn't want to perform a C-Section but two other consultants felt strongly about it. After we had the section they said they'd made the right decision as they needed forceps and baby was distressed and I had too much fluid.

I'd ask and keep your options open, I am glad I wasn't induced but recovering from a Csection is horrific but do what feels right for you and baby.

My baby was 10lb 1oz I'm 5'4 and this was my first baby. He was born at 38 weeks and consultants said had we let things progress naturally he was expected to be 12lb

Am having a big baby am on 97th line and he will be 10lb + am only 5ft 4 my self but my midwife has said that they will let me go naturally and will not induce which like your self and glad about as I want little intervention as possible xc

I don’t think the actual research is conclusive in terms of whether early induction improves outcomes for big babies; definitely ask whoever is looking after you. That said, I’d be inclined to listen to anecdotal evidence from an experienced midwife as well.

It really boils down to doing what feels right to you, unless there’s a clear-cut ‘definitely best for you and baby’ option.

My baby measured big; I’m medium height but a size 6 with narrow hips and I decided to wait for labour to start naturally (mum and sister both a similar build and both had big overdue babies and we’re fine). My labour didn’t start and I was induced at 42 weeks when I felt the increased stillbirth risk made it the right choice. If I end up in the same position again I’d definitely induce earlier - had the pessary and it was so much better than I’d worried: I was mobile and in and out of shower/bath etc.

Actual delivery was rough because he was 10lb9oz and back to back with his forehead against my cervix. Ended up with a big episiotomy and emergency forceps following an unsuccessful attempt to manually rotate him. That bit was shit and scary BUT we’re both thriving 2 years on and he did come out, even if he left some destruction in his wake! So my highly biased sample of 1 person suggests early induction not a bad idea.

I also wished I’d worried less about the details of labour. I did hypnobirthing in pregnancy and whilst the techniques were really useful, I subconsciously picked up the (misogynist and fucking ridiculous) idea that non-physiological birth=personal failure from some of the ideology and language surrounding the teaching. I remember lying in bed with my newborn thinking “I wish someone had told me how irrelevant every detail that isn’t ‘did anybody die?’ would feel. Would have saved me so much angst”. Again that’s hugely personal so feel free to disregard if it doesn’t resonate with you.

And best of luck.

I was induced at 38 weeks due to large baby, he was 9.5lbs with broad shoulders and I also ended up having an episiotomy as he got a bit stuck.

I'm 5' size 6-8 back then, looked enormous and strangers kept assuming I was having twins (literally asking me if it was twins when I said how many weeks I was).

10lb6oz induced 42+2, had epidural but unassisted delivery not tears etc. Midwives kept telling me I measured small for dates

There is so much more to an "easy" labour/delivery than size of baby. Pelvis shape, baby position etc.

Agree with @RandomMess
It’s not the size of the baby IME.
Coincidentally Both my DC weighed exactly the same! (3 years apart) Not huge though, 8lb 1oz.

First born horrendous, forceps, big episiotomy etc.. long recovery, damage etc.

Second child, waterbirth, gas and air, small tear.

Thanks so much everyone for the advice it's super helpful. Yeh I think I'm going to go with my gut feeling. I hadn't thought of how you can agree to some ways of inducing labour but for example not the drip. That's good to know! Hoping my boy doesn't grow too much more but he's definitely taking after his dad! 🙄😊 thanks ladies!

I was advised to , stupidly didn’t, was eventually induced at 40+10, a long long long labour resulted in an emergency C and he was 10lb 8oz.. maybe would have been easier to have been induced earlier.. however I have a very healthy kid so I can’t really complain. X

I pushed for it myself as 1st was 6.13 and needed ventouse after a long (2.5 hour) 2nd stage labour - 1st stage was only recorded as 2 hours...

2nd was measuring 95th centile at all scans (Had serial growth scans for other reasons) so I was keen not to go overdue as I'd had trouble evicting my first who was much smaller and had scar tissue from first lot of stitches.

Induced at 38+2 as had also had some reduced movements. Labour was basically the same pattern as my spontaneous first only less of it was in the car... pain with sod all dilation, followed by going from 2cm to 9cm very quickly with no one believing I was in proper labour then stalling just short of the exit and needing a ventouse. Would not have wanted head/shoulders any bigger!

Shoulder width is the biggest issue. Part of the problem when they say "big" baby is they don't distinguish between long and lean versus short and stocky... but short and stocky is the issue!

@RandomMess Ah no! My baby is definitely the short and stocky type! Thanks so much for the advice, I do feel like induction may be the best option. Trying not to worry about further complications though.

Mine was quite long in the back which increased his abdominal measurement. He was measuring around 90th for head, 95th for abdomen (which increased massively to 99th on a scan at 38 weeks for reduced movements) and 50th for femur length.

Age 16 months he's built like a mini prop forward, his shoulders are similar in width to his 4 year old sister's!

She was measuring bigger than she came out but was all leg - spent 2 weeks in tiny baby clothes and still only outgrows things by length!

Since 30 weeks my baby has been measuring big.
I'm 38 weeks today and I'm booked in for a c section in 1 weeks time.

I've stuck with having a c section because as they've told be again and again if they are correct with the size of my baby there is risks for me going natural or being induced and may end up having an emergency c section any way.

I wish you luck and go with what you feel you should knowing all the information you can.