Big Baby Induction

[whatnextsteps]

Looking for a bit of reassurance and personal experiences...

Baby boy is big, at 33 week growth scan weighting 6 pounds (more than I did at birth!) and measuring 97 centile so I'm having GTT repeated to check if I've developed gestation diabetes since first test to see if that's reason for his size or it could be genetic

I also have high blood pressure which I'm now on medication for and blood tests show I'm intermediate risk for pre-eclampsia (but no protein in urine or swelling)

Doctor said they'll look at inducing me, earliest being at 37 weeks, but will decide date after my next growth scan which is in a week

Has anyone gone through similar? How did it go?

At the moment I've been told there's no major concerns, they want to monitor and make sure no medical reason for big baby but of course I'm a little concerned especially as blood pressure is still on high-ish side even with the medication

Might be worth checking out this research Sarah W

My second was GD induction at 38 weeks. It was fine, she was 7lb13. They thought she would be bigger. Induction was a day of pessaries with a few contractions then broke my waters the next day at 8am. She was born at 7pm.
Third was an induction on due date due to really bad SPD. He was 10lb 8 the labour was no different to my second so big definitely doesn't mean bad.
I was lucky and had not stitches of intervention with either. I was up and about really quickly and feeling fine.

Thanks for the research @Perpop - my doctor went through shoulder dystocia and that scan weight predictions can be off by up to 20% so feel informed on that side

Glad your inductions went well @troppibambini6 and there wasn't much difference labouring different weights

Baby boy was predicted 9.9lbs birth weight during scan at beginning of Nov and his measurements have jumped from that hence another growth scan

To be honest if there’s any risk then an induction and being closely monitored is the best option.
I’ve had two big babies (the second was a 10 pounder), both inductions. Being overdue with a large baby is not fun.

I had an early induction at 37 weeks, baby estimated 7lb 2 at 33 weeks. Induction absolutely did not work and ended in an emergency section after 4 days when I hadn't even reached 3cm dilation. DS was born at 6lb 14.

From everything I'd read, growth scans are a wild stab in the dark and early inductions rarely work, but I found it difficult to argue with a consultant, who also talked me out of an elective section. Next time I will be placing much less blind faith in the doctors.

My honest opinion? Ask for an elective section. Every induction of a big baby I've heard about, it's ended either in a traumatic instrumental delivery or an emergency section.

Both of my DC were induced. I had high BP in both pregnancies, and with the second was hospitalised for six weeks. In both cases the inductions were trauma free, although DS (first) was a forceps delivery.

For me, induction was just not the drama that it is often made out to be. Wishing you a similar experience OP.

Quick update, turns out my first gestational diabetes test two months ago came back positive but I was told didn't have it 🙃

I've seen diabetic specialist midwife today who's submitting a report about how my gestational diabetes should've been picked up long ago cos I've had multiple midwife and consultant appointments since test, and I'm now monitoring my blood sugar levels

I have routine midwife appointment and growth scan followed by consultant early next week so will discuss plan going forward then

I was induced at exactly 37 weeks because my baby was measuring big, I'm only quite small. I was induced and advised to have an epidural as soon as waters broke which I did. I delivered vaginally without any interventions. 6 hours from waters breaking to him being born! He was 9lb 7oz and looked tiny to me!