Very big baby - induction vs. C-section?

[TeainanIV]

I'm feeling so conflicted and frightened and would love to hear others experiences/perspectives. Apologies as this is a long one!!

For context, I'm currently 37 + 4 weeks pregnant with my second baby - first DD was a teeny tiny dot (5lbs 3 ozs and born at 37 + 5 weeks, vaginal birth but very traumatic, very fast ending with forceps and episiotomy followed by a large PPH). As a result, I've been on aspirin this pregnancy (stopped at 36 weeks) and had regular growth scans to monitor baby. This baby is HUGE! For the last three growth scans has gotten bigger and bigger, now plotting on the 99th centile. My consultant is also concerned about my water as that is way over the threshold - I had a lot of water with my DD too.

After my growth scan this week the consultant sat us down to discuss options - basically offered an induction Vs C-section at 39 weeks. I was very overwhelmed and a little teary - I've got a lot of anxiety around birth due to my first. Their concern is that it's particularly baby's stomach measurement that is large (head is pretty much fully engaged now so they couldn't get a measurement). There was discussion about induction leading to baby becoming stuck in the birth canal and ending in emergency section - I think for me this would be my worst case scenario. After a lot of discussion, I opted for the planned section to feel more controlled but I'm still petrified. The recovery frightens me and I've never had any surgery before - I also really want to breastfeed again and I've got worries about it being more difficult to establish after a section. I don't know what's for the best - the consultant was lovely and has assured me it's still ultimately my choice. If I go in to labour spontaneously and decide I want to try and labour I can do.

Has anybody had experiences of this before?? I know that growth scans can be inaccurate, but these have been consistent my whole pregnancy which gives me more confidence in them being right. Thank you if you've made it this far!

Edited to add: I have had a gestational diabetes test which came back normal.

Fwiw on the accuracy of scans for size, I had lots of growth scans for my baby who was measuring at the 97 percentile at his largest (though slowed down a bit before he arrived) and he ended up being 8lb 11 which I think puts him about the 90 percentile. I had a vaginal delivery without induction although it was a long slow labour (think that was more to do with his position than his size) but I'm bigger than you are - 5'10" - and the doctors did say they would have been more concerned if I was smaller. Anyway the growth scans were fairly accurate for me.

@malimoon thank you for sharing - that's interesting to hear, and my worry would be them becoming stuck and ending in an emergency section/foetal distress. It's such a gamble, almost trying to predict the future! I have to admit, after reading through everyone's comments and my own research I still am leaning slightly more towards the section

I was really pushed to have a c section with my dc2, who was estimated to be above 90th centile (9lbs at 40 weeks). I declined because I had a fast and straightforward labour with dc1, who was also big (8lbs 15oz, though at 42 weeks) and also because I didn’t really believe the growth scans - they are inaccurate so often.

In the end I agreed to induction on my due date and had a lovely waterbirth. DD was spot on 9lbs, exactly as predicted by the scans.

In her case though it was her head that was massive with a more normal stomach. The stomach size is a risk factor for shoulder dystocia and I think in your case I might go for the c section. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

@harrietm87 thank you for sharing, yeah I agree - I think if it wasn't the stomach measurement that was so much bigger I'd be more tempted to just wait and see what happens. The thought of them becoming stuck and the risk of shoulder dystocia is what's pushing me more towards a section

Just wanted to update this thread in case any one should ever stumble upon it in a similar situation. I ended up opting for the elective section and can honestly say it was such a positive experience. I have no regrets and actually found the process very cathartic after a very traumatic vaginal birth with my firstborn. In my case the scans were pretty accurate and baby was born at 9lbs 5ozs!

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing and wishing you well.