A question for mothers of big babies at birth. Induced? Natural?

Question

When told you were possibly having a too big baby did you choose to induce early or just let nature take its course. Good outcome? Would you make the same choice if you had it to do all over again?

Here’s my situation:
Back-story: My first born son was 9 lbs 4 oz, he had a very large head (90th percentile) and broad shoulders which got hung up on the way out, he ended up with a fractured clavicle. My second was a girl and she weighted in at 8 lbs 5 oz and at 35 weeks measured around 5 lbs something. I carried my first two full term.

I am now 35 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. I went for an ultrasound yesterday (35 wks, 3 days) and they estimate the size of the baby to be 7 lbs. 15 oz. The ultrasound was done because of previous big babies. I have always been of the mind set that babies come when they are supposed to and just let nature take its course. But I am finding my doctors really want to induce this child at 38 weeks for fear of the child being too big. I want to do what is best for the health of my child and for my own health. But I don't think that delivering early is always the best option.

Answer 1

My daughter was 9lbs 10oz and my son was 10lbs, both full-term and born naturally at a birth center with midwives with NO problems at all. They knew the babies were big and made sure I got in positions that helped open my pelvis bigger (squatting is best) to push baby out. Ultrasounds are inaccurate and doctors are guessing anyway. I wouldn't want to induce because one procedure leads to another procedure, which leads to yet another procedure, and next thing you know, you're getting a c-section. With my kids, I wouldn't do it any other way.

Answer 2

This is a difficult question, as each person has their own views. My second child was born at 11 1/2 pounds, and no I had NO idea the baby was going to be that big. I think if I would have know, I would not have induced and continued with the pregnancy and just scheduled a c-section on or close to the delivery date.

I am also a person who believes a baby will come when the baby is ready. Too many times I hear about doctor's inducing labor for convenience purpose (the lady having her baby early so her and her husband could attend a sports function).

I think there are things the doctor's can do to ensure the health and safety of you and your baby if they know in advance that you will deliver a big baby, aka a triple apeaseotomy (ok, so I spelled it wrong) or a c-section.

Talk to your doctor about the risks to you and your baby if you decide to wait, why he or she feels it is necessary to induce, and what risk are involved in inducing. Then make your decision from there. Just because a baby is big in size does not mean it has completed all his/her development.

Answer 3

I have only had once child, a 7-pounder (with a HUGE head--lol), but I have 9 siblings, and I've talked to my mom about it. My older sister, the biggest of all of my siblings, was 10 lb., 5 oz. at birth (!!!) --and a home birth, no less! She came naturally, almost a week late.

I myself weighed 9 lb., 3 oz., and was 18 days late (Yes, that does happen--crazy, huh?), I was an induced c-section, but it was because I was breech, not because of my size.

Anyways, all of my mom's kids were over 8.5 lb., and most were induced, most were right around the due date (I was the only bizarrely late one, as well as the only induction)

So, in my opinion, it's better to let it happen naturally, unless it is absolutely necessary to induce. I have several friends who recently gave birth. I was present at a few of the births, and witnessed the women being given pitocin.

Immediately, it became MUCH more painful and intense. As far as I'm concerned, I would avoid being induced as much as possible.

Answer 4

My friend just went through this. Each of her babies have been bigger than the one before. She just had her 4th baby and the Doctors wanted to induce her early, but she said no and carried the baby to term. The baby was 10 pounds when he was born. Do what you think is best, or at least get a second opinion. My friend didn't want to get induced because she got induced with her second baby and that is the only birth she had complications with.

Answer 5

I'm not a Dr but based on my own personal experience and what I have learned after I would avoid it for as long as possible. I was told that my baby was 9lbs 90z at my 38 week scan and my OB wanted to induce at 39 weeks. I very sadly and reluctantly agreed to this. I wont bore or scare you with the details but it really was not an ideal experience. 24 hours of hard labor and ended with a c-section anyways. He was born at 9lbs 13 oz so he truly was a large baby. But it seems that if I had given him a chance to be ready to be born he might have been facing the proper direction (my spine) and would have fit much easier when I was pushing. I really learned though the experience that I need to listen to my body and my baby more, I was anxious and the OB really scared me so I went ahead and did the induction. What I realize now is that women all over the world are having HEALTHY babies without the option of induction, regardless of the size of the baby. If your baby is doing well and you are healthy I would say to just wait it out for as long as you can. There is a great chance that waiting will help your body to get more ready and help your baby get into the best position possible for birthing. I am 20 weeks with baby boy #2 and am planning a VBAC with a wonderful midwife who is not at all interested in inductons which I am so thankful for! Of course in the end you have to have honest conversations with your Dr about this and see what he/she really believes. But really, trust your baby, trust your body and know that you will go into labor when you are meant to. Women have been doing it for millions of years!

Answer 6

i dont exactly have an answer for you. but im going through the same thing. i am 37 1/2 wks and from the begining he has always been in the upper 80th to lower 90th %ile. they wanted to induce me early but i said no, bc there is no harm to the baby so the way i see it, as long as he is ok in there, no distress, then why make him come out early? let nature take its course. he will come when he is ready.

Answer 7

I know this is probably something you dont want to do. I understand completely. I was induced last time and now i want to go natural with this one.
however, when the babies get that big they get concerned that complications may arise and that you might hurt yourself more than anything. I dont know if your doctor would be okay c - section but honestly i wouldnt do that.
I hope you get what you want, but I would be concerned with your health and your pain as well.
Good Luck!! Keep us posted

Answer 8

Induction! No question about it. I have been induced all 3 times I gave birth, because of the large size of my babies. I was induced on my due date with my first, a week early with my second, and 2 weeks early with my thrid. I would not have had it any other way. Waiting for yourself to go into labor when you know your baby is going to be big is a HUGE risk. Its harder on you and its harder on the baby! Plus theres the whole unplesantness of possiblely having to have a c section. I think I would listen to my doctors if I were you.

Answer 9

i was told that my daughter was going to be big so at 37 weeks i decided that i was going to be induced. my doctor said to wait and see but i knew what i was capable of pushing out. luckily she was only 6 pounds and 3 ounces. i would've waited a little longer so that's why with my second daughter due in april i'm going to wait until I'm 38 weeks to be induced.

Answer 10

well the measurements by the ultra sound can be off a pound either way. i have bigger babies and i just let nature take its course. my son 8 pounds 13.9 ounces, my daughter 8 pounds 0.5 ounces. and i am pregnant expecting in 2 wks and going by my ulrta sound she weighs 7 pounds 13 ounces