Big Baby, C-Section?

I am 34 weeks and at my 30 week growth sono the baby was measuring pretty big (4 1/2 lbs). I am going again on Tuesday for a repeat growth sono to see how big he/she is now, four weeks later. The doctor said that the results of the 30 week sono revealed that the baby was bigger than average, with his/her abdomen larger than the rest of the body. I am now on terbutaline for preterm labor, and gestational diabetes is now an issue (just took the 1 hour glucose test again today) because of the medicine. He is worried that if my sugar is up, that GD would also lead to a bigger baby, and he/she is already measuring on the big side. He said after the sono next week, that we'll discuss the option of a c-section if the baby has grown significantly.

I know growth sonos are just an estimate, and with that being said, if a c-section is suggested, is that really the best route? I will do whatever is best for the baby (obviously) but I was wondering if anyone was in a similar situation.

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

This is a tough one and you will get lots of different opinions. Please do some serious research on this issue beyond just what you hear on this website.

I will say that ACOG, which is the organization that sets the standards for OBs, does NOT recommend a C-section or an induction for suspected big baby alone. That says a lot to me, considering this is a very conservative organization. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Message edited 2/20/2009 6:23:35 PM.

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

I would trust your doctor. He is probably hoping to avoid you having a long, hard labor and then end up with a C-section anyway.

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

I had a big baby and we did discuss a c-section, but the doctor didn't bring it up until I was about 36 weeks, and that was only going to be if I went past my EDD. I also had growth sonos every few weeks towards the end, and they were all measuring big.

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

You should really sit down and have a long talk with your OB. Know what the risks of happening if the baby is indeed too big etc (like broken shoulder, shoulder dystocia etc) vs the benefits of vaginal delivery and csections etc.

Depending on the size of the baby and when you go into labor maybe you can see if they will let you go into labor on your own and see how things progress and if there are indications that the baby is too big be willing to have the section rather than continue to labor.

Many people choose to have a section for very big babies especially when they have GD. Bottom line is you should be comfortable with your OB and what they are suggesting and if you are not then you should have a long talk with them about the risks, options and benefits or find a new OB which is hard this late in the game.

I didn't have GD with DD#1 but they were estimating her to be at least 10 lbs if I went to full term (40 weeks). She was measuring big and they schedule an induction for me at 39 weeks 4 days (I was walking around 2 cm and 75% effaced for weeks) - there was discussion of considering a section over the induction depending on how big the baby measured when I was scheduled for my last growth sono at 39 weeks -well I never made it that far I went into labor on my own at 38 weeks. After 22 hours in labor with a baby that clearly was NOT coming out on her own - I ended up with the section in the end. She was 9lbs 4 ozs.

While it is great to want to try to labor on your own and some women's bodies can handle it - other's can't - so you have to trust your OB to help you make a decision in this matter that is safest for both you and the baby.

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

i had two growth sonos. at 38.5 weeks they estimated that DS was already 8 lbs 12 oz - which i know is not HUGe but still on the big side, and with 1.5 weeks to go he would probably only get bigger.

i opted to have a c-section at 39.5 weeks because of this. DS was born and weighed only 7 lbs. 10. oz. but had a large head, so it was possible that he could have gotten stuck.

a SMALL part of me wishes i had gone on my own and tried to get him out naturally but i had such a good experience - i didn't have to go through labor and THEN possibly have a c-section, and recovery was such a breeze - that i knew i made the right decision for ME.

you need to have a long talk with your dr. and decide the best course of action for you. who knows, the measurements could be WAY off (like they were for me) and you could have a really easy labor - or you could push for 3 hours and still need a c-section.

good luck

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

At a 36 week growth sono, my baby was measuring 8.4. Needless to say my ob scheduled me for a c-section, thankkfully because baby ended up to be 9.9!!! I was very happy with ob's plan.

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

A friend of mine gave birth to a 9 lb. 6 oz. baby vaginally. I don't know what makes some OB's go for c-sections and others not.

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

Just a little bit of info-

I was told my DD was measuring aprox. 8lbs 3oz a week before my c-section, she was 6lbs 9oz LOL

I was almost 9lbs and my mom delivered vaginally! My mom was tiny. I hate that doctors are so eager to perform c-sections.

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

my DS was supposed to be around 8 pds at birth according to his sonos. I wanted the C section bc I didn't want to push a big baby. well, my big baby was born 5 lbs 15 oz so, you can't always go by the sono, but I wanted a C section anyway so I was happy with my decision

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

my sister delivered my nephew... over 10 lbs vaginally on his due date(easter sunday)... she woke up in mild labor, showed up to dinner- water broke and gave birth a couple hours after that

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

It doesn't sound like you having a big baby is the only concern to me, but I agree that you should sit and talk to your OB

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

I gave birth to a 9lb 14oz baby vaginally. I didn't have an epistomy either nor did I tear during birth.

A big baby isn't necessary a reason to have a c-section in and of itself. Since there are other risk factors, GD and such, that may contribute to having a scheduled C-section but I don't know if I would be comfortable with scheduling a c-section based on baby size alone.

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

If my baby is a certain weight my OB said he will go for the C section.. 9lbs and over..

Re: Big Baby, C-Section?

I know a lot of people feel very strongly about this one way or the other ........

I think you should sit down w/ your OB and have a discussion as to why he/she feels a section would be best (and I mean have him give you a FULL explanation of pros/cons/risks etc) not just "your baby is big so you have to" kind of thing -

Personally, I choose to trust my OB's time in Med School and his 25+ years of experience over my internet research .....I chose this OB, however, b/c I am 150% comfortable with him and I never once left an appt or conversation feeling 'off' or uncomfortable about his opinion or what we discussed -

Good Luck !!