Labor problem....?

Question

Im petite...and my doctor said that my hips look just a little bit too small to push out my baby. He said we could try but it might be more painful. Should I try it? I mean I really want to have a vaginal birth.

Answer 1

Your doctor is full of it. Honestly, I'd consider a second opinion.

There is no way he can look at you NOW and know if you'll be able to push out the baby. Your body will release hormones towards the end of your pregnancy and during labor that will loosen everything up and make more room for the baby. Also, how much freedom of movement does this doctor allow mothers in labor? Laying flat on your back is the WORST position to push out a baby. Squatting is a GREAT position and will widen your pelvic outlet 25-35%. If you are healthy (don't have gestational diabetes, for example) and don't have some kind of misformed pelvic structure (like a previous injury or something) then your body WILL NOT grow a baby that you can't birth.

I am about 5'2" and weigh less than 100 lbs when I am not pregnant. I had 3 spontaniously occuring labors with amazing, unmedicated natural births with no complications and normal sized babies.

#1 Baby boy.....9 days early.....7 lbs 13 oz
#2 Baby girl......5 days eary......7 lbs 7 oz
#3 Baby girl......born on her due date.....8 lbs even

I had a 2nd degree tear with my first. I had NO tearing and birthed #2 and #3 over a perfectly intact perineum. (#2 and #3 were waterbirths.)

You CAN do this. Don't let him try to scare you into a surgical birth or even an episiotomy. Your body is made for this.

IMPORTANT AFTERTHOUGHT -
If you stay with this doctor and try for a vaginal birth, I'd suggest hiring a doula to help advocate for you and explain any procedures they want to do, etc. so that there is someone "looking out for your interests" and letting you know if things are really necessary. A doula could really help you to achieve a vaginal birth. Many hospitals actually provide doulas for FREE now too. Try http://www.dona.org

Answer 2

You really need to have a second opinion. You don't have to change doctors, or even let your first doctor know, but you definitely should see another doctor and see what they say. If they feel you can have a natural birth, perhaps you could switch, if you feel comfortable with that. Or just tell your current doctor that you really want to try a vaginal birth. Sometimes doctors will give c-sections to make more money, unbelievable, I know, but true. And your doctor may not be that way, your size really may be a true concern.
I wanted to have a vaginal birth with my son so much, but after two days of labor, no sleep, and the flu, I ended up having a c-section. The doctor told me I was too small to have a baby naturally, and I would always have to have c-sections. But, I had requested an epidural and they would not give me one (because the anesthesiologists didn't work after 5 and on weekends), and other doctor's have told me if I had been able to relax, I could probably could have had him fine. But because my body was already in such trauma and pain from no sleep, long labor, and flu, I couldn't relax and dilate. My son was healthy and fine, but recovery was much longer, and I ended up with pneumonia and anemia.
Now, the only reason I got pneumonia was because the flu virus entered my lungs when they inserted the tube in my throat during surgery (at least that's what he said), so you probably wouldn't get pneumonia. As a matter of fact, I've never heard of a bad c-section except my own. Most women I know who've had them love and prefer them. But I did want the vaginal birth, to see him when he first came out, and hold him. I didn't get to hold my son till two hours after, because I had to be put to sleep. Not everyone has to be, some are awake during surgery and can hold them right away.
This is an important matter to you, so it might be helpful to have a second opinion. Good luck, and enjoy that baby!!

Answer 3

Try, try, try!!! I was told the same thing and had 2 babies that were both 9 pounders!! You may get your hoo ha torn up a bit, but that heals quickly. If you really want a vaginal birth, wait and go into labor on your own. C-section rates go through the ceiling with induced labors. And if you do have to have a c-section, it is not the worst thing that could happen. It is the same baby either way. You will love your child the same regardless of birthing method. Best of luck to you!!!

Answer 4

look i am not petite like you but i have two kids with my son my doctor said that my birth canal was very narow and i might have to have a c section we ll i pushed him out uumm i took the pain medicane with my daughter they said that i would have no problem but she would not come out so i had to have a c section natural birth does not hurt as bad as a c section with a c section you have staples thats the part that really hurts but if i were you i would try to push the baby out because its so much more meaning dont get me wrong i love my daughter but her birth had no meaning my sons had so much more

Answer 5

If that's what you want, try it. Otherwise you will spend the rest of your life wondering how different it could have been.
Stand up for your rights to the birth you want, but remember that you may have to have a c-section instead. But you never know what you can do until you try.
Good luck, sweetie. I hope that things go well for you and that you can accept whatever happens.

Answer 6

Then give it a try. They did not think I could push out my 10&1/2 pound baby, but I did, It hurt like hell, but i did it. If worse come to worse, you get a C-Section. Go for it.

Answer 7

Don't be afraid of drugs to help with a natural vaginal birth. If it gets too much, they'll take the baby. But you really should listen to your OB/GYN. He's the specialist. He's delivered many more babies than you'll ever have.

Answer 8

As long as you are not having a very large baby (10lbs), and you want to give it a try, then do it. They will monitor you and the baby during labor to make sure everything is going ok.

Talk to you doc and tell him/her your feelings. Listen to what he/she has to say and then make your decision about it.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I've never had a baby so I dont know. I just wanted to wish you a good safe delivery and a beautiful healthy baby.

Answer 10

how small are you? I know a girl that is like a toothpick and she delivered her baby vaginally. She done it on all fours, but she done it.