Big babies

[cantyfunt]

Looking for guidance more than anything.

Pregnancy 5

Previous 4 deliveries were 3 spontaneous vaginal deliveries at term with no complications no issues all relatively quick (sub 1.5 hrs) no issues with blood loss) then an induction due to unstable lie - was pretty hard going at 39 weeks but once labour established DS born well no complications apart from my own mental torture and a slight tear.

I've had growth scans throughout this pg due to a previous small baby (who wasn't small, their records are wrong) but any hoo - this baby is big. Jumped up from 75 to 90th to now 97th percentile at 36 weeks.

GD tested at 28 weeks.
Taking aspirin.

The hospital want to rescan at 38+4 and offer induction.
The consultant told my partner that the baby will get stuck and in detail explained what shoulder dystocia is - but when I pressed for evidence and statistics he said he didn't know

I don't want an induction, or a C section. I think that following research I've found - a spontaneous vaginal delivery at term is safer than both induction and c section. Shoulder dystocia is more common in induced births than none etc.

Can any one give me any advice / tell me where to go for advice / help?

Okay - I have had three babies. No2 I had shoulder dystocia. No3 was a mega baby for which I had growth scans from 20 weeks both for size and low-lying placenta. I was also 40.

With No3 I was induced at 38 weeks because he was expected to be 9lb at that point and I am petite, and No2 was only 8.5lb when he was born and got stuck. Previous shoulder dystocia is a risk factor so it was an easy decision for me. I know everyone says not to pay too much attention to growth scans because they're always wrong and mine was - No3 was actually nearer 10lb when he was born! The induction did end in c-section but seeing as he was a 10lber I was quite glad he never came out the usual way!

What I was told about shoulder dystocia is that there are many risk factors - and positioning can be more of a factor than a big baby. Lots of MWs say that big babies are easier to birth (I have a narrow pelvis so that doesn't work for me!) If I remember rightly, it is more likely to happen with bigger babies but something like half of shoulder dystocia cases happens in average size babies.

My advice - ask to speak to a different consultant - that's what I did when I had some concerns over induction and they were more than helpful, and really put me at ease. You could also ask to speak to the Head of Midwifery.

@CornishGem1975 thank you. I've spoken with my MW who's referring me to chat with the birth choices midwife in the area so let's see.

How was the shoulder distocia managed for your second child?

Why was the induction with DC3 moved to C section?

Shoulder dystocia - I was fortunate as the consultant was already in the room preparing to use the ventouse when the midwife realised there was an issue. The emergency cord was pulled and it was a bit of a panic but they used the McRoberts manoeuvre and supra pressure. He was fine, a bit blue and needed oxygen and checking over to make sure his arm shoulder wasn't damaged.

My induction took bloody days and in the end, he was just too big to descend, his head was massive! They were going to try forceps but he was too far up.