Macrosomnia (large baby) what happens next?

[SunflowerLyd]

Just looking for advice please! I went for a scan a couple of days ago due to measuring large for dates (currently 35 weeks). They put me as measuring at 40 weeks, on the 100 centile and estimated baby weight currently 8 pounds, estimated to be around 10.5/11 at birth. The midwife said my consultant would be in touch at some point, but meanwhile I feel like I'm second guessing what might happen next. I'm due to stay at work until I'm 38 weeks but would obviously like to go earlier if there's a chance I'll need an early c-section. I should also mention, this is my second pregnancy - the first ended in an emergency c-section 3.5 years ago. I was hoping on a Vbac this time round but am quite petite so if I can't, I won't!

So, my questions are for other mums who have been in my situation. Did you...

• Have a c-section or normal birth?
• If you had a c-section, at how many weeks?
• If a natural birth, how many weeks? Did you need to be induced?
• If a natural birth, was there A LOT of tearing? Just how bad was it?!

+ any other stories/ words of wisdom?

Ds was 10.6- 3 days late and insanely quick. I made the hospital with 45 minutes to spare! I tore - and had stitches, but not too badly. I was offered and induction or a C section because I was 41, but I didn't want either. I went for monitoring every day from 39 weeks, but everything was fine. He was my second-my first was 9.9.

DS2 was 9lb 6oz - unexpectedly large. My bump was huge but I'm only 5'4". I had a vaginal delivery in a midwife-led unit. I was booked in for induction at 40+13 but went into labour at 40+10.

Labour was a lot better than with DS1 (I was induced at 40+12 with him and had a 2nd degree tear). I had a 2nd degree tear with DS2 as well, but it didn't hurt anywhere near as much as with DS1. Managed with gas and air and tried to keep moving as long as I could. Gravity definitely helped! It was less painful than with DS1, more pressure.

Good luck!

Incidentally, even though I've had two big babies, I didn't realise there was an official name for it. I must tell them!

Oh, and DS1 was 7lb 5oz, so not big!

DD was born at 42 weeks by c section because I wasn't showing any signs of going into labour. She was 11 lb 9 and my third baby. The other two were around 8 lb. But I was measuring consistently 4 weeks ahead right from 20 weeks. I was huge, and she was over the 106th percentile for height.

I just had this with baby no.5. I had several growth scans were baby was measuring above the 99th centile. They told me I would need an induction but with all the public holidays around Christmas/new year they could only schedule me in for 39+2. I attended for my induction at 3pm that day and was told I was already 2cm dilated. As it was supposed to be a balloon catheter induction, they said I was too far dilated to go ahead with it. They suggested I get a sweep and go home for the night as the hospital was absolutely packed and they would review me in the morning. I woke up at about 2am with cramping and pottered about doing housework. Noticed some bleeding and headed to hospital about 5am. At 5.50 I was seen and told I was 7cm dilated. 6.05 waters burst on their own and 6.15am baby was born. She was 8lb 2 (despite being told she would be huge). I didn’t tear at all and needed no stitches. Labour was fine- I only needed gas & air for pushing.

I’ll add- her sister was 8lb 9- my biggest baby. She was born vaginally, no induction, no pain relief, no tearing or stitches. So try not to worry.

my only rough labour was my 3rd baby. She came very quick (20 min labour) and caused me to have a post partum haemorrhage requiring a manual clot removal. She was my smallest at 7lb 2!

Also- I am only 5ft and petite.

Hi,

I gave birth on Monday at 37 weeks.

My sons growth charts and fundal height measurements were all on the 90th plus centile, his dad is a rugby playing giant and the midwife said to expect a whopper!

I had to have an ELCS for major placenta previa but last week his weight was estimated to be 8lbs 8oz so imagine my surprise when over the drapes came my tiny 5lb 13oz boy!! My faith in the accuracy of the scans is pretty much non existent…

I was scanned in Labour at 36 weeks and told DS was 8lb 5 100 centile.

He was born exactly 24 hours later weighing 7lb 3 so it’s very much not an exact science at all. He also got stuck due to shape of head and me being stuck on back so was ventouse, his 9lb 4 oz brother who was cooked for an entire month longer flew out as was long and skinny.

the former was 10lb 11 on his due date, he was putting on 1lb a week for the first few months once he was out from bili lamp

Ds measured 100+% all through pregnancy. He was 8lb8 in the end and relatively easy delivery.

Scans can be really wrong sometimes with weight. I had an over 10 lb baby. Only a tiny tear. It wasn't a problem.

Thank you for all the replies so far ladies! I feel reassured that 1. the scans can be wrong 2. it IS possible to have a natural birth. I think if baby hasn't come naturally by a certain point I will opt for c-section as I just can't picture a potential 11 pounder fitting through my pelvis 😅, however, reassuring to know it's not an impossibility. Also, hearing some of your birth stories - you're all heroes!

From what my midwife said, it's more to do with the position of the baby than the size, how easy you birth. People struggle with tiny babies or have big ones easier. If you're birthing in an upright position, gravity can help more with a bigger baby. I've known tiny build women to give birth to big babies. I wouldn't worry about the size too much.

I've just remembered another little thing. When the hospital was worrying me about how big DS was, I had a new doctor for one appointment, who felt my stomach, gave me a big grin and said "Lovely sturdy baby!" I wish I'd got his name...it was such a relief for it to be seen as a positive thing.