Mommies of bigger babies, I need help!!?

Question

I am type 2 diabetic and my sugars are in control. My doctor thinks that I'm going to have a big baby between 9 - 10 lbs since two ultrasounds say that the baby is 3 weeks ahead of me. I'm 33 weeks, and the baby is measuring at 36 weeks. She said that based on my height which is 5 2, I would not be able to deliver vaginally and recommends a C section.
Should I go for a scheduled C section, or try vaginally and then opt for a C section if things don't progress? I'm going to be induced at 38 weeks!

Please help. I'm hoping the ultrasound readings are wrong on the baby's size...but if it's 9.5 pounds or 10 lbs, is it still possible to deliver vaginally?

Answer 1

Yes, you can still deliver vaginally. They have to cut a little but it's possible. I had to have a c-section with my first baby, and we tried again for the 2nd but I ended up with a c-section again. They can do a c-section in under 10 minutes if you or the baby go into any kind of stress. Talk to your doctor about giving it a try.
I hope he will at least let you try. But if he reals it's not realistic, then a c-section isn't the end of the world. I know I had 2. I am not sure but the doctor maybe weighing all the things together,
you being diabetic and the baby's weights. Just ask him what he thinks...if he feels you or your precious baby are not endanger then I don't see why he would not let you try. My daughter wants a c-section, she's scared of being in labor as long as I was with her. (days) But I always felt cheated in a way, because I couldn't do what I was made for giving life. But, I needed some help, so I have two wonderful kids as result of modern medicine. How they got here is not important just that they are. Congratulations! No, matter what you decide or how the baby gets here, you are going to be a Mommy. It's a great feeling when you finally get that baby in your arms. Enjoy it, because they grow so fast, and yours seems to have a head on most. lol. God bless you and your precious gift.........

Answer 2

My sister in law has 3 babies all over 10 pounds the middle baby was 10-9 had he came to fast for her to even have a epidural. The last baby was 11 - 2 and she had all hers vaginally. And she is very small maybe 5'3" 102 lbs. If it was me I think Id try to have the baby vaginally but if things don't progress I don't think you have a choice after so long the doctors would just do the C-Section to make sure the baby is safe. I hope it all works out for you. Good Luck.

Answer 3

My son was 8lbs 6oz and I'm 5'2, but I have a natural "momma" bone structure. I've always had wide hips and been "big boned". It only took me 45 mins during the pushing phase, and that was with an epidural.

I'd say ask your doctor to let you try a vaginal birth, but leave c-section as an option if you don't progress. Sonograms can be wrong, and if you have "childbearing" bone structure it's possible to have a normal birth.

On the other hand, if you were like 98 lbs before getting pregnant and have very petite bone structure, go for the scheduled c-section.

The difference is the size of the space where the baby's head comes through your pelvic bones and tailbone. The tinier you are, the more likely the space will be too small.

Answer 4

It is totally possible. My OB said the largest baby she delivered vaginally was 12 pounds. I would definitely attempt to deliver vaginally...the recovery time is so much less...a c section is major surgery and once you have one, they always want you to get one with subsequent babies. You see, to the Dr it makes not difference whether they deliver your baby via c-section or vaginally. At the end of the day, either way is just as easy. However, for you, a c-section is insurmountably more difficult. You dont want to be recovering from major surgery and having to care for a newborn if you can avoid it. Personally, I would just have them strip your membranes rather than being induced, but that is me. Being induced is more painful than natural labor and your risk of a c section is greater. Plus, they never really know the size of the baby until it is born, the technology just isnt there yet, unfortunately. So, it's primarily guess-work. But, at the very least I would give a vaginal delivery a shot and not rush into a c-section unecessarily.

Answer 5

Ultrasounds are not always correct. With my second son, I had an ultrasound at 38 weeks on a Friday. They told me he was about 7.5 pounds. The very next day, I had an emergency c-section (contractions were putting him in distress and his heart rate was dropping) and he was 8 lb. 11 oz. Unless he gained 1 lb. 3 oz. overnight, I'm guessing they were wrong. :)

I've had a vaginal delivery (with an epidural) and a c-section, and unless it's a true medical emergency, I'd take the vaginal delivery. I'd even do it without the drugs, honestly. Fortunately, I'm 5'9" with a large frame, and didn't have a problem delivering my first son (he was 8 lb. 4 oz.) I understand it's fairly common for shorter/smaller-framed women to deliver big babies. Thinking about this, I'd probably opt to try vaginally at first.

Answer 6

Ok....sounds like me!! I had my son in June 2003. They said he was normal sized and I shouldn't have any problems delivering vaginal. After being in HARD labor for 10 hours, i only dialated to 2 1/2. Too soon to have an epidural, i was begging for some pain medication. Finally they offered me a C-section and I said yes. Well, I had my C-section and out pops my son 9lbs 14 ounces!!!! I don't know if it is typical for this to happen, but I have heard of bigger baby's being born vaginal! I just couldn't imagine.... Although a C-section hurts for longer, I would never go through that pain again. My second son was a scheduled c-section and this baby due oct 3 is a planned c-section. Just telling u from experience.

Answer 7

I would not schedule a c/s based on a size estimate by ultrasound. They are OFTEN wrong by as much as a pound either way! The doctor CAN NOT just look at you and tell you if the baby will fit or not. During the last part of your pregnancy and during early labor, your body will release hormones that will cause your pelvis to loosen up and make more room for your baby to fit on the way out. Also, if you stay active during labor and opt to try to push in a squatting position, that will open up your pelvic outlet quite a lot.

Talk to your doctor some more and consider getting a second opinion as well.

Personally, I wouldn't schedule a c/s based on the information you have right now.

Answer 8

My son was 9 lbs 14 oz, 22 inches when he was born. He was born via c-section but only after I tried to push for 3 1/2 hours. I didn't have gestational diabetes, it was just genes from his father.

It is very possible to deliver huge babies, even bigger than 10 lbs babies. And c-section is a major abdonimal surgery and shouldn't be taken lightly. That said, I suggest that you try and push your baby out yourself even if you are induced. But keep in mind that if things do not happen, don't try forceps or vacuums, just go for the c-section. Talk about this with your doctor and say you'll try vaginally.

Also, I just want to say that ultrasound prediction of size is notoriously unreliable. Most of my friends were told they would have a big baby (bigger than 9 lbs) and it turned out that their babies were 1 1/2 lbs smaller. There are a lot of factors that affect the prediction. So you do'nt want to have to go through a c-section when it turned out that you could have pushed him/her out.

Answer 9

Yes, it's possible to have a 10 pound baby vaginally. There is *no* way for a doctor to know in advance how large a baby you can give birth to because your bones change configuration to allow the baby out. Furthermore, doctors *can't* tell how large a baby is before she/he is born. The doctor told me I'd have a 6 pound baby, and less than a week later, I gave birth to a baby who was almost 9 pounds. If your sugar level is under control, it is unlikely that you will have an unnaturally large baby (although some babies are *naturally* 10 pounds).

Whatever you decide, good luck, and enjoy your baby!!

Answer 10

Hello! I've had three larger babies (2 over 8 lbs and one 9 lb-er). It's the head circumference that is the determining factor in a vag. delivery. I do think dr's today are hesitant to deliver "big babies" for some reason. I'm the same height as you and had no trouble with my vaginal deliveries, despite having one kiddo with an enormous noggin. You can do perineal massage while in labor/transistion to lessen the liklihood of tearing and warm compresses work well too. If things don't go well, then your OB will likely want to do a c-section anyway.

Good luck to you!