Big baby

Hey , I was induced with my first baby at 39 weeks as she was measuring the same and she came out 9lbs 7oz - I was in active labour for only 12 hours and the recovery was amazing , I’m now due my second and I’m being induced next week at 38weeks as at my 36 scan baby was measuring 7lbs 7. Xx

Mine is 6lbs 4 at 33+3! I have opted for a c section at 39 weeks due to size but tbh I personally feel he’ll be here before then 🙈 I have said I’d like a c section even if I go into labour before 39 weeks x

Hey Lia, I'm exactly in the same position, my baby's tummy is measuring above 97th centile. I'm 36 weeks today and had an appointment with an obstetrician who's been discussing risks (shoulder distocia) and how if I gave birth in the birth center and had complications they don't think they could get me the right staff on time. Anyway, I'd love to also hear positive stories. I really want to give birth in the birth center, I don't want to be induced (as it often leads to more assisted deliveries, longer and more intense labours) and I don't want a c section. 😅 But also want to measure up the risks. Did you also feel really unsupported by the doctors? Mine kept smirking when I was asking very relevant questions which I really didn't like. I didn't feel they were working with me even though he said they wanted to. Good luck to you! 🫶🏼

I was induced with my 1st at 42 weeks as I just couldn't dilate but I was so exhausted from it all at this point there was no mention of her weight after day 3 of being in the hospital they decided on a c section and I was so tired from it all and she was 10lbs so thank god I didn't go into labour. The experience of getting induced and c sectioned wasn't great but then my 2nd they asked me what do I want to do I said C-section he was 9lbs and honestly it was the best thing I had such a lovely experience with it being planned and now I'm having my 3rd I'm again having a c section there's nothing to be scared about and honestly I'm scared of having a natural birth.

@Natalie thanks Natalie, I hear sooooo many lovely stories of planned c sections so it's good to hear them. I'm sorry to hear about your induction, that sounds exactly like my other friends' experiences. But I'm so glad you recovered OK and were happy to have 2 more babies. 😂 I think I'd almost rather than a planned c section instead of an induction. Sounds like the experience is just much better. The c section recovery scares me a little bit that's all 🙈

@Aurélie your welcome! Yeah it was a horrible experience and I guess that's why it took me 6 years to have another lol but 2nd one was lovely and I'm hoping again for the same experience, like any surgery it's going to take some time to recover but honestly it's not as bad as you may think yes the first 3 days your pretty much bed bound but I would encourage trying to walk around as it helps and keep on top of medication and you will be absolutely fine xx good luck xx

@Natalie thank youuuu! That's what I heard. Also everyone says as soon as your baby is out safely that's allll that you can think about and it makes everything totally Irrelevant and worth it haha. Trying to remind myself of that. Really Appreciate you taking the time to reply and share your experience xx

I do find sometimes the growth scans etc aren’t super accurate. I know soo many people told it’s a big baby when it isn’t (us included with my boy). Obviously listen to the professionals too but I don’t always think they’re right xx

Omg exactly same position I’m in right now! 32 weeks growth scan 5lb15 and got pulled into a consultant room and read out the risks I was a mess! Today 34+4 and measuring 6lb8. I’m petrified and not sure wether to choose induction or c section xx

I gave birth at nearly 42 weeks naturally to my first baby who was 9lb 12 in the birth centre with no issues. So natural birth to a big baby is possible. My third current pregnancy is measuring big and I am planning on having a home birth. I have spoken with the consultant who is happy as I have birthed two bigger babies already that I can handle this one as well. There are lots of options so just picking what is best for you x

Following as I’m 37 weeks tomorrow and i measured over 97th centile at my last midwife appointment and I now have a growth scan in 30mins!! If she is measuring very big I will probably opt for induction or C section (whichever will be safest depending on the results tbh!) I’m nervous to hear what they say!

Update: she was only 66th centile at the scan😁

It's your body and your choice. They can give you the information but it's up to you what you choose to do x

Also 7lbs at 34+2, had to see the consultant and hear risks etc. I’m quite determined to birth naturally and without intervention (induction etc) they booked me for another scan at 37 and said we can discuss then once we see baby’s size again. I’m quite tall (5”10) and my partner is over 6ft so they’re thinking it’s normal for me and not pushing too much atm.

I have just been induced as baby was growing big and I have had multiple bleeds I had him at 37+6 and he was 8lb8 on Monday I’m glad I did accept the induction as he would have been huge at 40 weeks!

@Megan it’s up to you but don’t always make them put the fear of god into you! My babies have been 7lb11 at 42 weeks 8lb14 at 39+6 and 8lb8 at 37+6 I’ve had them all naturally 6 hour birth 2 hour birth at 68 minute birth. If you don’t want a section don’t let them scare you into it

@Jessica I'm 5ft and I even asked them if they were pushy because of my height but they sort of chuckled and said that they had to tell me the risks... 🙄

@Aurélie that’s awful! I had a consultant at my 31 week growth scan like that only telling me the risks of a c section and no benefits, saying I wouldn’t get any more growth scans if I opted for a c section etc. but a consultant I saw this week said if I wanted a c section then she wasn’t going to talk me out of it as that’s my choice. I don’t know why some doctors are so unhelpful 🙈 x

@Victoria that is so bad! And it's crazy how different the consultants are. I've heard plenty of lovely stories of planned c sections. I just would want to birth vaginally if I can, because those scans can be innaccurate. It's so annoying that in this day and age they can spot issues with our babies organs but they can't determine their size and weight accurately wtf! 🙄 I also asked for anothrt growth scan and he was like we can ask but I doubt it'll be accepted. And also why would you want it? And I'm like well if he keeps growing at the same rate then I can consider my options but if he has slowed down and is growing but won't be like 10lbs then maybe I want to go to the birth center. And he was like but if your baby doesn't grow at the same rate it's a concern with placenta and I was like but if the placenta blood flow looks OK then we know there's no issue... And he was still like oh but it would still be a concern..😕

@Aurélie totally agree! It’s crazy the things they can pick up but the size can be inaccurate! I find some of the information given can be different depending on the consultant you are talking to 🙃 hopefully you can get some answers and get your additional scan x

@Victoria it really is. Thank you!! Me too ! Worst case scenario we will do a private scan I think... Xx

@Megan this is really strange, my boy also measured 5 lbs at 32w but no one seemed to have been worried about it 🤷🏻‍♀️ (simply pointing out cause it's very strange how their approach varies so widely, difficult to know which one to trust)

@Jen hey Jen, it's great to hear you had a positive birth despite the induction. May I ask how they induced you? With the syntocinon? Sweep? Balloon? I hear so many stories of labour being more intense and requiring more assistance for the delivery etc... 😔 I'm a bit worried.

@Aurélie I required 2 pessary tablets , then I was at 3cm then got my waters broke at 12pm I got the epidural at around 5pm when I was 7cm then i was 10cm by 10pm then left me 2 hours to see if baby would move further down which she did (I slept through this time as I had the epidural) it then got to midnight and I pushed for 56 mins then she was out 9lbs 7oz - I was then in the shower around 4am and my catheter was removed at 9am the next day I was then home in my own bed that night x

@Sophie how was your induction, Sophie? Sounds like your abouts have been short despite the induction, were they super intense?

@Jen thanks for your answer! I appreciate it. Glad you didn't havr to push for too long. I don't want the epidural ideally as I'd like to stay mobile but maybe that's something I need to consider if I was to be induced and exhausted etc.. It's so tough. I'm so glad you were home relatively soon after! X

I’m in that position too!! My boy is weighing 6.5lbs or just over at 36weeks and I’m now 37, they are talking about induction/section at 39 weeks, it’s so scary isn’t it x

@Becky it really is, especially knowing scans aren't that accurate so I feel like I have to take a huge decision based on incomplete and not so accurate information. I keep telling myself at the end of the day I need to do what's safest for both of us. I still want a vaginal birth ideally. But may give up on the birth center and go on the labour ward. 😔 And make sure baby arrives early so I don't have to be induced. Do you know what you're leaning more towards?