Preggers with BIG baby... should I get induced early?

[abbybaby]

Hi, I'm 33 weeks Pregnant with my first baby, big babies run in both families, I was 9.11 lb and BF was 10.2 lb.

My mum & grandma had difficult labours due to narrow birth canal/petit frame & big babies. My grandma had an emergency cesarean with my mum, and My mum was in labour for over 48 hours with me. I'm pretty sure they'd make you have a cesarean if you were in labour that long these days.

The thing is I really, really, REALLY don't want a cesarean. My last scan at 31 weeks showed my baby was already 4.6lb (average for 31 weeks is 3.5lb) my doc said baby is bigger than average and bigger babies also have a tendancy to be late. I'm worried if I go overdue she'll be huge and I'll end up having to have an emergency cesarean. The doc said an option would be to get induced on my due date or earlier if necessary if the baby is still measuring/weighing more than average.

Obviously in an ideal world I will just go into labour naturally a week or so early and everything will be fine.

But faced with the prospect of an over due baby, a BIG over due baby, and a High risk of having to have an emergency cesarean. I'm seriously considering getting induced early.

So... anyone had any experience with big baby labour, being induced, being induced early, or just general advice/opinions on the above.

Thanks x x x

Apologies but resurrecting this thread again as I am currently 36wks and growth scans suggest that I am carrying a big baby. This is my second and the consultant thinks that according to the scans/growth charts, he is 8lbs already! My first was 7lb 8oz, was born 40+2 and I had quite an easy labour. I am 5ft and average build but the consultant is concerned that the baby is growing 'too big' for me and has suggested a planned c-section. I have read various threads and am in a real dilemna.
The consultant has gone through various scenarios and highlighted the dangers and whilst I'd rather not have a c-section at all....I really do not want an emergency c-section. So I think that if there is any risk at all to baby (however small the risk), then I will opt for the planned c-section.
Does anyone have any experience of this?
My reasons for not wanting a c-section at all are primarily because of the recovery time - DS is 3 and DH won't be able to take much time off to help with recovery after baby is born. Also, I have never had an op before....having DS was the first time that I'd ever been in hospital for myself! So the thought does scare me but after talking to friends, the thought of an emergency scares me even more, so at least I can try and make it a positive experience.

As others have said being induced increases your risk of needing a caesarian anyway. I was induced with my first against everything I wanted, it turned out fine but this time I really don't want the intervention.

I have a BMI of 35 so have extra growth scans, when I asked the consultant if they are accurate he said not really so I wouldn't put too much faith in the scan measurement.

The only reason I was induced was because I was 41+5 weeks and was strongly recommended to be induced. I really wish I had a waited a bit longer, especially from reading more things here. I don't understand why women choose to be induced early as its something I'd avoid if possible, but that's just me.

As others have said you can help in labour by moving around and being in a good position. Good luck

lol, i did end up with a section as they told me dd1 was measuring between 9lb 13 and 10 lb 13, and i'm titchy (dh is mahoosive lol). so they booked me in for a section the following morning as they told me that on no account was i to labour naturally as it was too dangerous.

dd1 was 8lb 6oz. go figure. my two vbacs were bigger lol.

whatever will be, will be.

As you gave birth to your first baby with no probs, and as scans are not totally accurate (eg my SIL told similar and he was only 8lbs) and as there are risks with CS/inducing if it was me I would go for a natural delivery although ensure that I could be upright / squatting / all fours etc for 2nd stage rather than lying on back.

But thats me. If you plan to have epidural on arrival anyway and likely to end up lying on bed perhaps better to have CS.

Read Ina May Gaskin's book - spiritual midwifery, she discussed this (big babies etc) in a lot of detail and is of opinion that unless mother was malnurished as a child then baby will fit through pelvis. Even more so as you had easy birth with first.

hi my sons gf is 36wks but has gad a big growth spurt hes the size of a 39wks has to go for scan on thurs ,as they said he could weigh up to 12 lbs

Thanks everyone. I'm seeing my midwife later this week so will have a chat with her too. Ideally I'd like a water birth or an active birth. With my first I wasn't as active as I'd have liked as I had to be monitored and they only had the type of monitor that had to have me lying down for most of the time

MumNWLondon - an epidural doesn't feature on my birth plan but neither does a c-section!!

WOW ilovesprouts! Good luck to your son's gf.

good luck... i had a lovely water births with DS, it was wonderful! being upright during 2nd stage will make it easier (v easy to move around in water) and 2nd births generally easier than first even though second babies bigger than first...good idea to discuss with midwife.

Hi, my first baby was 10lb 8oz (12 days late), and it was agony - it also didn't help that he was spine-to-spine. I tore badly and couldn't walk for 6 weeks afterwards. I was adamant I wasn't going to go through that again, and on my second pregnancy I had a lovely consultant who sent me for a scan at 39 weeks - another big(ish) baby - so he allowed me to be induced two days later. I had a 5 hour labour, a 9lb girl, no stitches, it was a very happy, positive experience for me. If you are expected to have a big baby, and you have a vaginal birth, my best advice would be stay on your feet as much as possible, get gravity working for you. Good luck X