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

Original poster

38+3 baby measuring big/polyhydramnios - induction or ELCS?

16 replies

5star123 · 29/04/2022 14:50

Hi all,

I'm currently 38+3 with my second baby. Growth scans at 35w and 38w have shown that my baby is measuring big (although it's the belly that is measuring off the chart, the head and femur measurements are fine) and the latest scan has shown excess amniotic fluid around the baby (deepest pool was 9.3cm). Combined measurements indicate the baby's weight is currently around 8.5lb and on the 97th centile.

I was tested for GD back in January which was negative, and had HbA1c test a couple of weeks ago which was also normal but have they said they can't rule out GD completely, especially as it's the baby's belly that is measuring big.

I spoke to a doctor after the scan who has suggested either an induction or elective c-section between 39-40 weeks. I feel at a complete loss as to what to do for the best. I'm really not keen on a c-section given the post-partum recovery time (my husband will only be able to have a few days off work after the birth) but I'm equally as terrified as having a long, drawn-out, and painful induction which could possibly end in an instrumental birth or c-section in the end anyway.

I was induced with my first baby after my waters broke naturally at 39+1 but then labour never got going. I was induced just before midnight and she was born at 4pm the next day via forcep delivery in theatre as she got stuck. They were also predicting her to be a 9lb+ weight but she came out at a diddy 6lb 14oz albeit at 39+2 weeks. With that in mind I don't completely trust their measurements that this baby is going to be big but with their polyhydramnios diagnosis I guess it changes things a little. Part of me wonders if I should get a private scan to see how their measurements compare?

Can anyone please offer any advice or what they would do in my position? My induction wasn't particularly traumatic for my first birth but should I skip that part altogether seeing as they are offering me an ELCS?

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Original poster
5star123 · 29/04/2022 18:20

Bump 🙏

OP posts:
Fipfop · 29/04/2022 18:42

I had polyhydramnios in my first pregnancy. They were also predicting she would be big but came out 7lb 13.

They induced on my due date as they didn't want my waters to go at home due to the risk of cord prolapse.

I didn't have a successful induction. It ultimately ended in an emergency section as my body didn't progress in labour. However I'd still opt to try an induction first if I were to do it again. I think next time I wouldn't have the balloon though ( was told this would never have worked as she was floating) and would make sure my waters had properly gone before starting the drip (had only had a small scratch on the membrane so she was still floating. This further hindered my body going into labour).

If you had a successful induction before and want to try again id go for it!

BattenburgDonkey · 29/04/2022 18:50

Personally I’d go for caesarian over induction due to the cord prolapse risk and potentially big baby as it sounds like there’s a good chance it could end in a traumatic emergency section anyway. If you can afford it go for a private scan but I’d be asking about the risk of cord prolapse in your particular case anyway as that would be my main concern even if it is unlikely.

Original poster
5star123 · 29/04/2022 19:01

Thanks both. Yes cord prolapse was mentioned and I’ve been told I’m to go straight in if my waters break. I was told it was a borderline/mild polyhydramnios diagnosis and baby’s head has been down for weeks now so I’m hoping it stays that way. I also don’t feel like my bump is big or massively uncomfortable like a lot of people report with polyhydramnios. I guess I hear so many stories of people who are told their babies are going to be huge then they end up average size!

OP posts:
Fipfop · 29/04/2022 19:05

That's a good sign! I was massive haha! And so uncomfortable. The amount of water that came out was impressive! It does sound like you're right on the border. Hope everything works out as you want it to!

Original poster
5star123 · 30/04/2022 07:16

Thank you! I’m hoping I go into labour naturally in the next week or so but feel like I need a plan B in place 😣

OP posts:
stairgates · 30/04/2022 08:02

In your situation would op for trying the induction if over 40 weeks but anything before the c/s. Your body will be more ready for the induction the further it is so more chance of a smooth run.

Original poster
5star123 · 30/04/2022 08:10

🙏I’m booked in for a stretch and sweep at 39+4 - my midwife said she will be able to see if conditions down there are ‘favourable’ for an induction!

OP posts:
stairgates · 30/04/2022 08:16

5star123 · 30/04/2022 08:10

🙏I’m booked in for a stretch and sweep at 39+4 - my midwife said she will be able to see if conditions down there are ‘favourable’ for an induction!

This is good! I would also book a second sweep for the next time she can. Even if the sweeps do not do anything themselves that result in labour the do get everything more favourable each time. My last I had 3 sweeps from 39 weeks and baby flew out!, the 2 births before were very long and not ideal, I believe the 3 sweeps were a saving grace on the last delivery.

FirstTimeFuckDies · 30/04/2022 08:23

I could have written this - second baby, predicted 99th centile for weight, mild polyhydramnios, no GD detected - and the anxiety over whether to elect for C-section or attempt vaginal birth. I ended up agreeing to induction at 40+3, baby came at 40+6. I managed an instrument free delivery and with fewer tears than my first although it felt like a slog because I was in hospital for so long!

Reasons I opted for induction were

  1. My first baby was 9lb 1oz and I had borderline polyhydramnios but just under the threshold for intervention. Doctor said big baby = more fluid. No issues pushing her out.
  1. My husband and I are both tall and I'm pretty solid, would previously have been described as having "good childbearing hips" so felt baby was proportionate and would hopefully not get stuck
  1. Successful previous induction
  1. Wanted to avoid surgery at all costs!
  1. Reassurance from doctor that if I changed my mind at any point in the induction that C-section was still an option

Anyway she came out 10lbs and it was hard work, but I don't think necessarily any harder than any size baby! Good luck with your decision and your delivery, however it happens. Also good luck with having two...

Original poster
5star123 · 30/04/2022 08:37

FirstTimeFuckDies · 30/04/2022 08:23

I could have written this - second baby, predicted 99th centile for weight, mild polyhydramnios, no GD detected - and the anxiety over whether to elect for C-section or attempt vaginal birth. I ended up agreeing to induction at 40+3, baby came at 40+6. I managed an instrument free delivery and with fewer tears than my first although it felt like a slog because I was in hospital for so long!

Reasons I opted for induction were

  1. My first baby was 9lb 1oz and I had borderline polyhydramnios but just under the threshold for intervention. Doctor said big baby = more fluid. No issues pushing her out.
  1. My husband and I are both tall and I'm pretty solid, would previously have been described as having "good childbearing hips" so felt baby was proportionate and would hopefully not get stuck
  1. Successful previous induction
  1. Wanted to avoid surgery at all costs!
  1. Reassurance from doctor that if I changed my mind at any point in the induction that C-section was still an option

Anyway she came out 10lbs and it was hard work, but I don't think necessarily any harder than any size baby! Good luck with your decision and your delivery, however it happens. Also good luck with having two...

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I’m leaning towards an induction as like you my first was successful (in that it got things moving quickly even though she later got stuck!) and the thought of surgery isn’t appealing!

I guess I’m just a bit sceptical about their predictions that this baby is measuring big particularly as though it’s only the belly that is on the 97th centile, and they said the same about my daughter and she was tiny!

OP posts:
FirstTimeFuckDies · 11/05/2022 20:56

How did it go @5star123?

Original poster
5star123 · 11/05/2022 21:42

FirstTimeFuckDies · 11/05/2022 20:56

How did it go @5star123?

Things started happening naturally on Saturday and I gave birth to my little boy after three hours of established labour on Saturday night. He weighed 8lb 7oz (74th percentile) and midwife said there wasn’t a large amount of fluid when my waters broke.

I was booked in for an induction on Monday morning so I’m so glad he decided to make an appearance before then!

OP posts:
stairgates · 13/05/2022 17:03

This is amazing news!!! Enjoy every second of him xxxxx

Did you have any sweeps in the end???

Original poster
5star123 · 13/05/2022 20:46

stairgates · 13/05/2022 17:03

This is amazing news!!! Enjoy every second of him xxxxx

Did you have any sweeps in the end???

Thank you! Yes I already had a sweep booked for the Saturday morning so I went along to that and my midwife had a rummage 😁She said I was 3cm dilated at that point and predicted I wouldn’t be needing the induction!

OP posts:
FirstTimeFuckDies · 19/05/2022 02:54

Great news!! Congratulations and enjoy the fuzzy days.

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