Big baby and terrified!!

[ActDottie]

So I had a growth scan yesterday (28 weeks) because of medication I am on.

They have said baby measures 98th percentile so bigger than average and I’m now terrified she will be too big to give birth too and I’ll have to have a c section or lots of intervention to get her out :( or they’ll make me have her early because she’s too big. I really want a vaginal delivery because I’m terrified of all things medical - I think because I’ve never had much experience of hospitals before so it feels very unknown to me.

They also mentioned gestational diabetes can cause a big baby so I have tests next week as my medication can increase blood sugars.

Any similar stories people can share to reassure me? Were your babies as big as they say they were?

My friend had a baby a few months ago and she had extra scans as she was measuring small but she came out at 8lb something so I just wondered can the scans not be very accurate?

No advice in terms of GD and big babies, but my baby measured 95th centile at 32 weeks and by the time got to 38 he measured just under 50th centile. I'm due tomorrow and he's not here yet so can't actually confirm how big he is but it's just to say their growth can vary, they can have spurts and also slow down. As you say scans can also be inaccurate. Try not to stress too much.

I'm sorry that you are worried, it's a shame they said that to you when you are already scared of hospitals. I'd advise talking to your midwife about your concerns about the birth and also medical procedures.
My DS was 9lbs 10, was born with half an hour of contractions starting, without intervention. Apparently, gravity helps get the big ones out! Obviously it wasn't easy, but there was no stopping him.
Perhaps look into hypno birthing or something similar, to help you handle the thought of childbirth. And good luck, you will be fine xx

From hearings friends stories of "big" or "small" babies who come out perfectly normal size, it doesn't seem very accurate at all.

Try not to worry. If baby genuinely is too big and won't come out you will have a c section and you will be absolutely fine.

The scans aren’t very reliable at all.
It’s good that you’re getting tested for gestational diabetes just in case.

I found this website very useful: Evidence Based Birth

Their weight has little impact, in fact bigger babies are often easier to birth.

I needed a CS with two very stuck DC and they were 6lbs and 7lbs respectively. Not only were the emcs nothing to do with weight, I can confirm that the interventions were not terrifying. I encourage you strongly to see them as necessary and lifesaving, safe interventions rather than the enemy.

i was consistently told my DD was in the 87th percentile and would be over 9lbs.
had one private scan that said 50th percentile.
so I ignored them all… had a lovely waterbirth at 40+1 and baby was 7lbs 12.

get a second opinion if you can before you act on the scans. Good luck!

Thanks this is really good to read we had a private scan and were told 71st percentile then the nhs one 98th percentile so it was quite a shock to hear 98th yesterday :( but it does sound like they can’t be that accurate then so hopeful she won’t be a big baby that’s hard to birth.

Thanks I’ve been reading my hypnobirthing book. It’s been good for thinking about what I can do to relax but it’s quite anti- intervention etc. which I think has made me even more worried about intervention.

I had a whopper. Nearly 10lbs. No diabetes.
I did have a section, but not because of this. Was fine.
The most important thing is a healthy baby and Mum - regardless of how you get there. It's good to have the delivery in mind you want but be open to nature having other ideas. Size is not the only indicator of an easy delivery - some tiny women birth huge babies easily and some tiny babies refuse to come out!
Try not to worry.

My scans and bump measurements were all spot on. No concerns. He came out at two days overdue 10lb 11oz, taking everyone by surprise! All natural, no problems for me or him, straight forward. Very pleased i didn’t go ten days over! Can you imagine?! So I wouldn’t believe everything with growth measurements and even big babies can be born naturally without issue.

My last baby was 10lbs, massive head bless her. She was actually by far my easiest birth. 1 hour and 20 minutes labour from start to finish, she pretty much pushed herself out!

Mine was 11Lb. I really recommend Hypno birthing, but not as part of a group imagining a rose opening, get a one to one person who will deal with your specific fears. It is brilliant, don’t know why it’s not more common!

I’m no expert, but I remember being told at my 36 week growth scan that baby was already around 7lbs and can put on between half-1 lb per week in the last 4 weeks.
I spent the last 4 weeks of my pregnancy so scared of having to push a huge baby out, I was so hungry but felt panicky every time I ate that I was going to make the baby even bigger.
She was born on her due date 7lb 6oz. Such a petite little baby and is still an extremely petite 9 year old now.
from speaking to other people about this, growth scans are incredibly inaccurate so I’d try not to worry too much. Easier said than done I know x

I’ve had 4 babies, all bigger than average. The last one was 9lb 14. I’m a size 6, 5ft 5, so not a big person! I’ve never had any pain relief, not even gas and air. No tears, easy births, everything quick and straightforward!

I know I’m fortunate, but it’s certainly not a cause for concern.

I would also say that my 4th baby was the only one were I had additional scans (due to plancenta poisoning) and all manner of scaremongering re baby size, that, luckily I knew to dismiss due to previous big babies.

You’ll have gravity on your side. The heavy poppet will fall out. Think tampons. Which ones come out easier?

My predicted 7lb max small baby was 9lb 8, for a first labour it was quick, 4 hours nearly a c section due to cord and passing meconium inside me and second predicted big baby 9lb 15, also quick labour 2 hours but shoulder got stuck so nearly a c section but got out ok.
Tore with both but only had gas and air as due to a blood condition not recommended to have pethidine, water birth or epidural, both 12 days late.
one natural on induction day and one I had waters broken before induction meds were tried as part dilated.

I've had a 10lb2 and 11lb8oz babies and I did actually have lots of intervention but I think it was cascading. They basically told me my first was going to be big, therefore I should be induced early etc, which led to intervention after it failed.

If I were to do it all again I'd see how overdue my body wanted to go with my first and try let baby start labour off themselves first instead!

I find those scans to be inaccurate a lot of the time, i was told both my kids were going to he big. Had one 6lbs 12 and one 7lbs! I was also terrified of a c-section, didn’t have to have one but I do empathise with the worry it can be scary to think about! I had 2 great births and was amazed at how well I did, I’m sure you’ll do great!

My obstetrician told me with all 3 of mine that growth scans were not worth doing as they were so inaccurate. I did have scans at 35 weeks each time to check birth position but he was never interested in measurements.

Mine all came out between 7.5 and 8.5lbs so pretty standard size but my friend who was a petite 5’2” had an 11lb’er for her third. He went straight into clothing aged 3-6 months! She had a normal delivery with no tears or concerns and said it wasn’t really any different to her other two births of much smaller babies.

Try not to worry too much. It’s way too early for a determination that you have to have an induction or a c section.

My first was predicted big and was 8lb5 so not huge and delivery was fine.
Second again was predicted big and having growth scans. She was 10lb2 and the birth was very quick and very easy. She flew out herself. No issues and no pain relief. I wouldn’t worry about it

The consultant told me that it’s the position of the baby which matters the most not the size. I hope you get the birth you want but don’t be afraid of c-sections. I had an emergency one last time and it was a good experience and this time I’ve requested an elective one.

I had my DD when I was 18, (33 now) she measured big all along although unplanned pregnancy so dates a bit off. I was tested for GD and nothing.

I had another scan at 35 weeks, still measuring huge 😳 and they moved her due date forward by a week.

She was born week before new due date - a fully term baby of 8lb 13oz - natural delivery! She is now 14, and gorgeous perfectly sized person ☺️

Good luck!

My first was measuring between 95-100 percentile all through my pregnancy. I found the scans pretty accurate because each one was consistent with measurements of the previous scans. A one off scan with randomly high measurements could be wrong. I was induced during the 39th week as it was predicted he could be 5kg if I went over my due date (and where I am they strongly recommend c sections for over 5kg). I gave the induction a good go but I never went into labour over 3 day and opted for a c section the day before his due date. He was 4.5 kg. I wouldn’t worry too much about it - a lot of people birth large babies fine, a lot of people in my family have given birth vaginally to babies over 4kg.

I personally don’t think scans and even obstetricians examinations are very accurate- I was told in the delivery room my baby was going to be big at about 9lb…. I knew baby would be bigger as my last baby was almost 11lb. Baby was born weighing 11lb 11oz….. and yes the obstetrician came to apologise but mainly to have a nosey at my baby! Try not to worry I’m sure all will be well

So. I also had gd and ds was 9lb 2 so on the bigger side. He was very long.

I also read loads into hypnobirthing etc and honestly I felt that it helped and did me a disservice in equal measure.

I ended up on insulin which meant I was declined a water birth etc and was told I'd likely need induced etc. I had grand visions of a very natural, hands off water birth because I felt the same as you. I actually think that the hypnobirthing books I was reading were so negative towards intervention and induction that I then was terrified when I found out that my birth plan was out the window.

I ended up having a planned section and at that point I found it helpful again because I applied as much as I could to have a "gentle section" going on my birth plan, and I used all the breathing techniques which helped massively with my nerves on the day. I also watched lots of positive section videos etc and toured the room on the hospital website so I felt more familiar with what I'd see and where I'd be and what would happen.

I do think the hypnobirthing is fab if you are a very straight forward pregnancy and birth but it can cause more anxiety in women who don't fit that bracket and that's a bit unfair because you've no control over that.

I don't regret my section for a second, I feel like it was me advocating for myself. I was really happy with what I was able to ask for and on the day it was daunting but the best experience ever. It was really fast and went really smooth and it was 10 min from first cut until ds was in my arms and after that I couldn't care less what they did! I was able to have skin to skin, asked that he not be wiped down before being handed to me, asked for gentle music in the back ground and a quiet room when he came out, asked for the screen to be lowered to see him coming out, the only thing I didn't get was delayed cord cutting but when they explained that was due to infection control (beforehand so I knew to expect that) I was fine with that. I still felt like I had quite a bit of say to set myself up for a positive experience.