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?

I can vouch for that. My 3rd baby was just under 10 pounds (my 1st was 7pounds and my 2nd 6lbs 3ozs). I nearly delivered him in the lift up to the Labour ward but the nurses got me into the bed just in time - he positively shot out. I didn't even need a stitch. So don't worry - big baby doesn't necessarily mean a difficult birth.

My 2nd i was measuring the same as you and i did end up having a larger baby 9lbs10 however it was not as scary as i had imagined. Due to his size i was scheduled for an induction at 37 weeks however went into labour the night before by myself i managed the labour with no pain relief and i mean nothing!, pushed him out myself and had no tears or anything requiring stitches. He was my second baby and i found it less painful than my 1st who was only 6lbs8. The midwife said labours with bigger babies do tend to be less painful and your less likely to tear all because they don’t come out as fast.

DD2 was 10lb. Labour was 20 minutes with no drugs (no time!). I didn't have time to get undressed - only went to hospital because my waters had broken during the night.

It was all so easy. Very quick recovery and was wearing my size 10 jeans within a few days. I'd been huge when pregnant.

Good luck!

I was scared of having a big baby as me and my siblings all were, including my brother who was almost 12lb!

My son was just over 9lb and I needed forceps, but that was more due to his position than his size (which I realise is just mildly big compared to some of the others mentioned here!).

Also my growth scans predicted a small baby!

When I was pg with DS they did an ultrasound to see how things were looking at the 40 week point as my first DC had been very late and there was no sign of labour getting started. They were oohing and aahing about what a big baby he was, maybe as big as 8lbs! Previous baby was 7.5. DS turned out to be over 9 lbs and I managed to push him out, ten days late. If they're happy with your pelvis size, that's all that matters. The gestational diabetes test is important for both you and baby though.

Excellent post, @Lavender14

I do think that many of the birthing approach books out there set women up with an unrealistic expectation that they will be completely in control of everything that happens the day they give birth, and also cause a sense of failure if they end up with interventions. They also cause or exacerbate an unwarranted fear or distrust of medical interventions.

One thing I would say is that if you're advised to have a C-section because the baby is very big, then please have the C-section.

My friend was in that position and insisted on a vaginal birth instead. Let's just say that she had cause to regret that decision during the birth and for some years afterwards.

A C-section is more expensive than a vaginal birth and the NHS don't go recommending it without good reason.

(And in the long term then I would seek professional psychological help for your fear of medical procedures, because they don't get any less frequent as you get older.)