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Original poster

Induction for Large Baby

29 replies

Lkb2020 · 26/11/2020 15:27

I had a growth scan today (36+3) and baby is on 99th centile.
Our hospital don’t do face to face consultant appointments so they called me after and told me I was being induced at 38+6 because of the size.
The head and AC measurements are both off the charts so I’m worried about delivery.
Has anyone been in the same position and should they allow me to opt for a section instead?

OP posts:
Isonthecase · 04/09/2022 03:08

@LeaLea31 I don't think anyone wants to give birth to a baby that big naturally! I am surprised though, mine was jumping centiles so was evicted the moment he crossed the 90th, literally induction the next day. Sounded like a blanket policy.

Teenprobs · 04/09/2022 07:44

LeaLea31 · 03/09/2022 19:06

@Teenprobs They they have offered me a C-section and advices me of the risks of both induction and c-section with a baby of her size. I’m in the Uk in case you are somewhere else where they don’t offer them.

@Isonthecase It’s low risk at 5% when she was 91 centile but where she kept jumping centiles every fortnight, rather than staying on the same trajectory and growing at a standard rate. The risk percentage/odds goes up the larger the baby, she was 97th centile 2 weeks ago and at 40weeks could very well be over the 99th centile as her trend shows increases of of 5-6 percentile points per fortnight. So at 40w she could be over 11lb which would be 15% I think 🤔 or it may have been 15% at 97th centile. I can’t remember off the top of my head. I’m a stats geek lol and used to write up research/stat reports years ago.

I guess 15% is still low but I don’t think that I’d forgive myself if something went wrong. I’ve only stuck this reply on incase someone else reads this and isn’t aware of the risks increasing as the size does. You are correct though some women give birth to 11.5 baby’s naturally, however they are more likely to have a episiotomy and forceps That’s good to hear that planned C-sections are pretty smooth going, if they would offered me an induction at 38 weeks I would have definitely taken it.

@BridetoBee Your so lucky! That’s what I was hoping for, I started stretch & sweeps at 37 weeks. I was dilated 1cm on my first and second seeep and then 2-3cm on my final one a week ago but still nothing 🙈.I’ve stopped them now because the consultant wanted the c-section done at 39 weeks, but there was no room in the clinic. They just said if I go into labor now it will convert into an emergency c-section. I’m booked in for the c-section in 5 days from now, at 39+5.

I just can’t wait to meet her now whichever way she comes now I don’t really mind 🥰

Yes I'm in the UK, but lots of people are offered Induction first and c section later... x

My baby had a forceps during a c section 🤣🤣 so anything can happen.

Vallmo47 · 04/09/2022 07:48

Sometimes these measurements are off the charts wrong OP. Please try not to worry, just discuss at your next appointment like you said. I measured big both pregnancies and there was still no talk of inducing early - I kind of wish there had been. Both my babies arrived at nearly 41 weeks, both nearly/over 10 pound. It would have made sense for me to have them a little bit earlier. Good luck!

Skylark1990 · 04/09/2022 08:21

I was told baby was measuring 95th percentile at my 38 week check and "offered" ie. Told to have an induction or section. I was fit and healthy and no other issues in pregnancy. I declined intervention. Induction increases the risk of shoulder dystocia as well, and has other risks too, it isn't a magical fix all. It comes with its own very real issues. We always need to weigh up the pros and cons and ask loads of questions as often they won't just give us all the facts straight away. Baby came 41+6 and she was only 59th percentile so it was way off.

Growth scans can be innacurate up to 20% and theNICE guidelines say that induction should not be done for a big baby alone (in absence of other risk factors). Hospitals offer or advise it partly due to a court case where a woman sued because she hasn't been offered in her situation and thought she would have benefited. It's complicated, but hospital policies are not individualised so they often won't capture people's individual circumstances, it's more a catch all thing. Of course sometimes inductions are necessary and save lives but there's actually a huge issue in the UK ATM with them being done far too often.

My advice is to read up on Dr Sara Wickham and her advice re induction, ask lots of questions and then make a decision based on your gut instinct. Good luck! Xx

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