Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Big baby trial

38 replies

Bennetgirl · 07/10/2021 19:30

Has anyone done this or is on this?

Mine is 6lb 11 at 35 weeks so I’ve opted to join. If I’m chosen I could be induced at 38 weeks. If not it will be 39 weeks.

Just wondering if it was any good?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Bananapancakes6 · 07/10/2021 20:04

No I've not heard about this, where are you based OP? My baby is 90th centile and measuring big.

Original poster
Bennetgirl · 07/10/2021 20:22

I’m in the south west but it’s Warwick University who are doing the trial. Just Google big baby trial and it comes up.

Your selected at random for an early induction so not everyone gets selected.

Definitely ask your midwife. I’d much rather be induced at 38 weeks then add more weight to this baby!

OP posts:
User76478 · 07/10/2021 20:26

This seems like a really strange idea OP. Are you aware of the amount of inductions that results in interventions?

Original poster
Bennetgirl · 07/10/2021 20:34

I have done my research. I’ll be heading for induction a week later anyway.

I’m worried about having a huge baby and the shoulders getting stuck x

OP posts:
canyoutoleratethis · 07/10/2021 20:49

Sorry OP, I’m not sure I understand why you sound so excited about having doctors try and shoehorn your baby out of you early with drugs? You seem to be dismissive of the significant risks, particularly to you, of birth injury and/or emergency c-section as a result of an induction. Also, why have you assumed you will be induced at 39 weeks? NICE guidelines are clear that a ‘big baby’ is not a reason in itself to induce early. I really would suggest you investigate what an induction means and it’s likelihood (or otherwise) of success. I for one wanted to avoid it like the plague.

Honey2 · 07/10/2021 20:51

@canyoutoleratethis do you have any experience personally of an induction? Or birthed a large baby?

kitkatsky · 07/10/2021 20:53

I've had two inductions. If there hasn't been medical reasons for both, I would never have agreed to it. I'm sort of gutted that I'll never have a natural Labour

canyoutoleratethis · 07/10/2021 20:54

Yes to the second of your questions, I have. And no to the first, because I refused one having reviewed all the data on actual risks of birthing a large baby versus the risk of induction.

Honey2 · 07/10/2021 20:55

@Bennetgirl I’ve not heard of the trial but I have been induced with 3 out of 4 of my births for medical reasons and I personally had no problems - this doesn’t mean of course that it’s risk free but I didn’t want you to think every induction automatically ends in a difficult labour.

Well done you for volunteering for a trial - that’s how we find new procedures and move forward in medicine I think it’s a great thing to do xx

RandomMess · 07/10/2021 20:55

Seems a bit mad as the scans are so unreliable.

I'm teeny tiny (5' on a tall day) and delivered a 10lb 6oz baby with no issues. My long and difficult labours where when I was induced at 41 and 40 weeks rather than waiting for 42 weeks even though they then bigger.

Original poster
Bennetgirl · 07/10/2021 20:56

I had an induction with my third and the consultant today said I’ll be induced at 39 weeks regardless of the trial.

My baby could be 10lb + at 40 weeks. I’m having a scan and consultant appointment at baby on 39 to discuss.

I’d rather not risk a huge baby and the damage it could cause to me and her.

OP posts:
5zeds · 07/10/2021 21:01

My last was 9lbs 10oz and back to back. Are you planning further children after this one?

MamaTutu2 · 07/10/2021 21:04

@Bennetgirl I was selected for this but in the end opted to book an elective section rather than an induction due to size.I know people always say they’re wrong about size but they were spot on with my little one. Baby came early so I didn’t need it but just in case you aren’t keen on induction.

Original poster
Bennetgirl · 07/10/2021 21:05

@MamaTutu2 How big was your baby? I had got my head around a c section but this hasn’t been mentioned.

OP posts:
MamaTutu2 · 07/10/2021 21:12

@Bennetgirl was predicted to be 10lb something (nearer to 11) was 8lb 8 when they arrived at 37 weeks. When they called to book an induction, I just said I wasn’t interested in induction and would like to book in for a c section, they spoke to me about the risks and booked it in, in my case I was happy to birth naturally as long as it was spontaneous and not full term. They said once I went into labour I could make the decision whether I wanted to continue naturally or not and if not to go to the hospital straight away and they’d do my section then.

Mummyme87 · 07/10/2021 21:16

The trust I work at was asked to take part when it first started, we declined.

eternalopt · 07/10/2021 21:29

How are they accurately getting the size of the baby? After many many scans, I was told my baby was at least 9.5 lbs. he was 7lbs 15!

Handsnotwands · 07/10/2021 21:31

I didn’t think there was much evidence big babies are harder to birth? But then I’m not a university so there’s that

Fwiw my 10.5 pounder was a dead easy birth. She basically fell out of me

Original poster
Bennetgirl · 07/10/2021 21:33

My bump is the same size as at 35 weeks as it was full term with my others. My midwife can’t believe how big it is.

I’m seeing my midwife Tuesday so will see what she says. She’s been keen for me to have a c section as she’s worried about the size. Baby was breech until today which is typical!

OP posts:
Original poster
Bennetgirl · 07/10/2021 21:34

It’s really hard. I don’t want to risk forceps and the problems that come with that. I’m 39 now and worry about recovery.

OP posts:
sjxoxo · 07/10/2021 21:36

This is interesting- I’ve not heard of the trial; but I’m in France, currently 25weeks pregnant and baby measuring 97th percentile- we are having monthly scans for another reason so they are measuring baby accurately every 4 weeks, they are already talking about possible induction around 39wks if he continues to be big! xo

TheLongDrop · 07/10/2021 21:41

Me guess mine to be 8lb at 39 wks. Pushed out 11lbs the week after 😳

canyoutoleratethis · 07/10/2021 21:42

@Bennetgirl

It’s really hard. I don’t want to risk forceps and the problems that come with that. I’m 39 now and worry about recovery.
It’s definitely hard, OP, so you really do have all my sympathy. Preparing for birth is stressful enough, let alone when you’re being told you have a big baby coming. What I would say is that if you are at all concerned about an instrument delivery, then push for an elective section. I refused an induction, and if I had not have gone into spontaneous labour, I would have had a section. You are in charge here, despite what the consultant likes to think, so insist on being listened to!! Flowers
ame88 · 07/10/2021 21:47

I have just had my first baby...10lb 14oz (size not picked up at all during my pregnancy) - the birth was traumatic to say the least.
Next baby will 100% be an elective c section! I just don't trust that they can accurately know how big baby will be and I'm not going through a vagina lol birth again

Upupupintheair · 07/10/2021 21:49

I was offered to be part of this trial at my hospital. At 35+6 baby was estimated at 7lb 7oz. I’ve declined and gone for an elective c section (maternal request) between 39-40 weeks.

If I spontaneously labour before then I will go ahead with the natural labour but have quite a low threshold for a c section. No way am I being induced when the chances of an EMCS is so high with an induction anyway.

The consultant tried to talk me out of a c section, but I have a lot of senior medical people around me (family members and friends) and I have followed a lot of their advice… just waiting on a date now!

Swipe left for the next trending thread