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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Small ladies giving birth to big babies!

33 replies

Loulouhels · 11/01/2008 10:14

Hi I was hoping someone can give me their experiences of having big babies when they themselves are classed as small.

I have posted a couple of timnes regarding being big for dates and then results of my growth scan.

I am currently 38+5 with my first baby and due to measuring big had a growth scan last Saturday which showed the baby to be measuring over the 97th Centile on all measurements with an estimated weight at the time of 8 and a half pounds.

The midwife booked me in to see a top consultant at the hospital, to discuss delivery options. I thought I would be discussing early induction or a planned section as she led me to beleive but I saw the consultant yesterday and he said there would be no way he would plan a section for just because I am having a big baby and there is no reason my I shouldn't be able to have a vaginal delivery just because I am short. (5ft) apparently it all depends on how the baby's head is positioned when it comes through the birth canal which will determine how difficult it will be.

This has pleased me (I think) because I didn't want to have a section. I know it could possibly end up as one depending on the birth but I am glad I am going to experience some sort of labour.

Sorry for the long winded post but I just wondered what others experience of large babies were and how the birth went for you.

OP posts:

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twelveyeargap · 11/01/2008 10:36

Growth scans are NOTORIOUSLY inaccurate, but if it helps, I had an 8lb 5oz first baby. I'm 5ft 3.
Second baby was 9lb 5oz and both births were normal deliveries. First was with an epidural, second was at home, in a pool, with no pain relief.

No stitches or tearing either time.

Is the baby's father tall? If so, then the baby could be long (this is what they measure - the length of bones, femur etc.) but they have no way of knowing how fat the baby is, if you will.

A long baby could be long and slim and fit very easily through your pelvis. It's worth discussing with your consultant.

I know a woman who was told when she was 37 weeks that they might induce her at 38 weeks because the baby would be "at least 10 lbs" at full term.

She spontaneously laboured at about 37+5 and the baby was just over 6lbs. However, it was very long (with a 6ft 5in father - mother was about my height). The length of the baby was off the charts, but it was a skinny little thing. See what I mean?

Try not to worry too much.

lucy5 · 11/01/2008 10:39

My mil a tiny little woman gave birth to 7 babies all over 10lb! 6 of them were home births.

chatti · 11/01/2008 14:05

I'm 5ft 4 and fairly petite yet I had a 10lb 4oz baby boy (My partner is 6ft 5!)I was induced as I was 2 weeks overdue and no-one had any inklng that the baby would be so big. It was all a bit traumatic to be honest but I think that was due to the induction rather than his size. Contractions went from 0-100 in a very short space of time which apparently can happen to some people. The whole labour took just 4 hours.

On the positive side, I did have a vaginal delivery which I am still amazed at and although we had some complications they were completely unrelated to the weight/size of the baby. I was kneeling upright for most of the birth using gas and air and I really believe that helped, although I did need some ventouse assistance and they did need to give me an episiotomy- better than tearing and it all healed fine in the end.

I'm now 37 weeks and expecting another big one. I too am slightly nervous but know that I've done it before so can do it again although I want to avoid an induction and or caesarean if possible. At least you know your baby may be big so you can discuss this with your midwives and consultants and they will monitor you very closely during the birth to keep you and your baby safe, and if you do need some intervention then at least you can be mentally prepared for it.
Very, very best of luck and try not to worry.

bobsmum · 11/01/2008 14:07

I"m 5ft zero and dd was 8lbs 7oz born normally with no intervention.

Habbibu · 11/01/2008 14:18

I'm 5ft 4, and daughter was 10lb 11oz - normal delivery. My mum is 5ft 2 - my sister was 9lb (induced) and I was 10lb (home birth). Doctors told me that generally speaking you have the baby the right size for you - complications generally not to do with how heavy the baby is.

CatIsSleepy · 11/01/2008 14:22

my sister has had 3 babies, all of around 9 pounds or more, all by vaginal delivery (2 were ventouse assisted)- she is 5 ft tall

Mum2b2BabyRoo · 11/01/2008 14:25

My 5ft boss has had 3 10 pound babies - all natrually with no pain killers. In fact one of them was born in the taxi on the way from work to the hospital! She was fine - no tears or anything!

Original poster

Loulouhels · 11/01/2008 14:29

Thank you all so much. It helps to know that it can be done.

My husband is 6ft and quite broad so hoping the baby is also long - to be honest there isn't a great deal of room in my tummy for it to get any bigger.

I also have SPD which has been bearable and no where near as bad as some women get it but for the last couple of days I have had really bad pubic and pelvis pain as if the baby is trying to engage. It stops me in my tracks, so much so I've just had to leave my shopping in Sainsburys and come home!!

Just praying this little (big!!!) one comes soon. Bring on the contractions!!!! I'm ready now! But nine days until due date!

Thanks for all your experiences.

OP posts:

twelveyeargap · 11/01/2008 16:57

Aha. Tall husband. I really wouldn't worry. My midwife (VERY experienced) told me on my last pregnancy, that they've done surveys of estimated baby weight, using the scan, the midwife's estimate of size and the mother's estimate of size. The mother's were the most accurate overall, the scan the least accurate.

webcrone · 11/01/2008 17:10

Another 5ft nothing person here who gave birth naturally to an 8lb 8oz baby. Same is true of my mother.

bobsmum · 11/01/2008 17:15

Loulou - I also had SPD during my pg with dd - I suspect it actually helps (provided your birth position is suitable) because you stretch with ease!

I have SPD again with no3 and it's not as bad as the last time round.

trish12 · 11/01/2008 17:37

And there was me worrying, at 5ft 3, ive been told that if i go full term, i have 3wks to go, im likley to have an 8pound baby!! im not worried anymore, not after reading these!!

bobsmum · 11/01/2008 18:07

DS was 8lbs 8oz at 38 weeks though....

CorrieDale · 11/01/2008 18:31

If you're still collecting these, I am 5 3. My first (el CS for breech) was 8lb. My second was a VBAC, and 8lb 14oz. I had an episiotomy in the end, but only because my perineum was like an elastic around her not hugely big head. The actual labour was just fine. And she wasn't long and thin - she was really porky!!!!

LeonieD · 12/01/2008 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ggmo · 13/05/2010 17:41

I was curious about tiny Asian women giving birth to babies of big and tall Caucasian men--are there difficulties generally, or do the women's sytems figure it all out?

xkatyx · 13/05/2010 18:22

Hello i'm 5ft and only small and my first baby was 8lbs 10 no probelms at all not even any stitches.

2nd baby i had gestational diabetes so lots of scan and they thought i was gonna have a whoper of a baby but wouldnt even consider a c section but she was only 8lb 6 and her head wasnt in the right postion at all and she was back to back but came out fine and again no stitches.

No one can believe 2 big babies came out of little me im a size 10 so not overly big but i know loads of people who manage it, my sisters first baby was 9lb 1 and she was fine too. infact not sure if its true but smaller babies sometimes can be harder i.e more stiches.

Good luck.

kalafrisgic · 13/05/2010 18:33

well done to all the women who have had big babies naturally, i too heard these stories and thought i could too! i don't want to scare you but this is my experience from the "sunroof" end!...

i am 5ft nothing, weighing around 7 stone size 6/8 gained 2 1/2 stone first pregnancy, i measured big, baby measured big too, was gung ho on having a water birth, did the gentle birth method, did the perinial massage but about 2 weeks before due date cosultant advised to have an elective c-section. (ggmo i am asian dh caucausian, he's not big, around 5,8) i was really dissapointed.

anyway, glad i did as ds was 8lb 10, surgeons struggled to get him out, cut me almost hip to hip and forcepts where used. surgeons said that there was no other way for him to come out.

imho at the end of the day what counts is the end result healthy baby and healthy mum however baby was born.

good luck, your consultant will be able to advise you best.

kalafrisgic · 13/05/2010 18:39

just wanted to add cthe onsultant dismissed early induction for me as induction does not guarantee the birth to progress.

i'm sure there are lots of ladies out there who've had inductions then ended up with emergency c-sections, my sister being one as well as a few friends!

i believe in women's intuition, the women here believed they could do it, if you don't then please think twice!

fabhead · 13/05/2010 18:43

I am 5ft size 8-10. ds1 got badly stuck, shoulder dystocia 8lb 3, but they had me up on the bed which wasnt a great idea. Came out in the end but emergency resusitation etc.

ds2 I read up and insisted on giving birth standing up against the bed and then squatting with dp supporting under the arms for teh last bit and he literally flew out with a couple of pushes. 8lb.

I think squatting really opens up th epelvis and I reckon most babies could get out that way. Good luck.

4madboys · 13/05/2010 19:04

i am 5ft 2 and a size ten have had four babies, first three 9lb+ and no 4 was 10lb 13oz, had him in an hour, in the birth pool, all fine, didnt even need any stitches!

i agree that squatting and being upright definitely helps.

also get spd during pregnancy and was told by consultant orthapedic surgeon that having a natural uprigth delivery helps to realign the pelvis.

good luck again xxx

4madboys · 13/05/2010 19:05

oh i meant to say, that my partner is 6ft and of my boys are tall like their dad and were long at birth, but with massive heads also like their dad who has to get largest size motor bike helmets etc. ds4's head circumference was off the chart but he came out fine.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/05/2010 19:16

My lovely SIL had twin boys both weighing a very similar 8 pounds ish weight and she is not much over 5 foot. And, if that wasn't enough, they came after their due date, a couple of days late. She did have a C section. Just before she had them she looked honestly like she had swallowed a space hopper, it was a comedy bump!

first1 · 13/05/2010 19:51

I'm 39+3 had a growth scan two days ago and baby is meausring 8lb 9oz, I'm 5'4,DH is 6ft first baby and scared of the thought of her getting much bigger!

beccas · 13/05/2010 19:59

I worried all the way thru 1st pregnancy as DD was off the scale - over 100 centile on both scans. Anyway, she came at 38+4 at 7lb 3.
did you know they used to routinely ask your shoe size in pregnancy? Apparently its got some relative link to the width of your pelvis! Have you got big feet ? I am 5'7 but only a 4 1/2shoe!
But I agree with all threads, stay on your feet, squat and remember, big and heavy babies have totally got gravity on their side, everyone I know who had a baby over 8 1/2 lbs had no probs whatsoever!

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