C section for my big baby

[fiffle]

Hi everyone, I'm sorry if this post is a but long, I'll try to keep it as short as possible.

I'm currently 36+4 weeks with my second baby. I had a growth scan at 34 weeks and they estimated the baby to weigh 6lb 7oz at the time, and I was told the baby will be too big for me to deliver naturally so they recommended I have an elective cesarean at around 39 weeks. It was made to sound like I really had no choice in the matter as a natural birth was just too risky, especially since I was already deemed "high risk" due to having an emergency section with my first child.

Since then I have spoken to my community midwife and she told me that I still still try for a natural birth (though she said in all honesty it would more than likely only result in an emergency section anyway) and that the choice was up to me.

I'm back at the hospital on Tuesday to sign the consent forms but I'm still unsure as to what I want to do. I've spent the last 2 and a half weeks looking into all my options and weighing up the risks but I feel I'm no closer to making a decision.

I really didn't want another section as my recovery from my previous section was awful, I had a couple of complications that meant it took about 4 months for me to fully heal.

My other issue with having a c-section is that I'm being pressured to stay awake for it (I was put to sleep with my first child). I know it's much safer to be awake and I'll get to see my baby straight away and won't feel as groggy afterwards, but honestly the thought of being awake while I'm being cut open makes me feel physically sick! I tried doing research into exactly what would happen during the procedure in the hopes it would reassure me but it honestly just makes me feel worse.

Ideally I would like another scan just to see where I'm up to now before I make a decision but I'm worried it may be too late for me to ask for one now as they want me to sign the paperwork on Tuesday.

I've read online that rather than having a section with a big baby women can choose to be induced at 39 weeks, thus the baby would be a bit smaller and hence easier to deliver.

Though I'm not keen on the idea of being induced (as I know it comes with it's on set of risks) I was wondering if I were to agree to have an elective cesarean at 39 weeks but then went into labour naturally before then would I be allowed to try for a natural delivery in that instance?

As you can probably tell my mind really is swimming at the moment and I'd really appreciate any advice as I'm at a bit of a loss x

 

[Foogirl]

I'm surprised they are suggesting a section on the basis of size alone. Many of my friends have given birth to big babies without needing a section. What was the reason for your emcs the first time round?

I've been told that VBAC is generally considered to be a good idea, unless there are medical reasons that led to the first section which could happen again. Even of it does result in a section, wouldn't it be better to try?

I'm definitely with you on not being awake. The thought of it makes me feel sick too, I'm really squeamish, although my recovery after the anaesthetic was brutal so I'd have to consider it.

 

[LDC]

I personally had an emcs due to baby being back to back and being big. She was born 10lb 1oz and the surgeon told me that with her weight and position I'd never have gotten her out naturally.

The whole time the midwives were pushing me for a baginal birth and it seriously scares me now thinking what would have happened had the dr not come in and told them I needed an emcs. I was in labour for just over two days and I retracted from 8cm to 6cm dilation.

I hadn't had any growth scans although it was obvious from my size in pregnancy that baby was going to be big.

I can honestly say my section was a very positive experience, like you I had said that if I had to have one (and as standard be awake) then I would crap myself but once you're in there you're fine. The staff are wonderful at answering questions and keeping you calm and the whole thing is over before you know it and you're concentrating on seeing your baby.

If you're hoping for a growth scan, I would personally call the hospital ASAP and see if they can fit you in before your due to make your decision as only they'll be able to tell you if they have the staff/slots for you to have one. You shouldn't feel rushed into making your decision though.

I have already asked if I can have a section when we ttc in a couple of years due to my awful labour and the size of this baby. I am horrified at the thought of having a similar labour and a similar size baby; if that dr hadn't have come in and told everyone that I was having an emcs I'd have been cut (or ripped) to shreds and don't doubt that forceps/ventouse would have been used too to get LO out.

This is just my experience however and I know people have had vaginal deliveries for big babies. I would rather have an e,excited booked section than try for a vaginal in case something doesn't progress and then you're down for an emcs although, you could have a vaginal and be fine - with labour you just never know!

Can you talk to your midwife or the hospital about your worries and see if they can advise you better?

Xx

 

[Foogirl]

Was it not the back to back that made it more difficult, rather than the size? I have no idea about these things as I never got anywhere near term

 

[Wildfire81]

I understand your fear of the section. I was terrified of being awake too. But they gave me an anesthetic so I could not feel the incision. I could feel light touches and it took less than 20 minutes for the whole thing. Also, I was in and out of the hospital with my son in only 2 days, and I have healed to hardly no scar.

 

[fiffle]

thanks for your replies everyone

they are estimating that baby will be over 10lb by the time he's full term and with babies that size there are all sorts of risks like increased risk of uterine rupture, perineal tear, or even that the baby may get stuck on his way down.

The reason I had to have a section with my first was because his heart rate dropped when I was around 9cm. He was only 6lb 5oz (no idea how this one has gotten so big lol)

my sisters have both had c sections that they stayed awake for and said it really wasnt as scary as i imagine it to be but i still cant stand the idea of being awake. i know i wont be able to see or feel anything but i'll still know what's happening and that alone is scary enough.

i know that more than likely i'm going to have to agree to have this section anyway but am still wondering if i might stand a chance of natural birth if i should go into labour early. But I don't know what the procedure would be in that circumstance. My first child arrived at 38+1 weeks so i'm hoping this one will be like his big brother.

 

[confused87com]

an elective section is so much nicer and calmer than an emergency one. The doctors were talking about inducing me, i had a c section last time and this time they wanted baby out sooner rather than later....i was told as had a previous c section the drugs cant be used to induce so it is trickier. I wasnt a candidate cus they cudnt even reach my cervix, but if they could there was only a 30 percent success rate. there is no way i would have gone for it over an elective, the idea of an emergency section terrifies me

 

[fiffle]

i'm not going to ask to be induced anyway, i agree with you that despite my fears over a repeat c section it's still a better option than the risks associated with being induced after one section. i was just wondering if i were to go into labour naturally before i was due to have the elective would i be allowed to try for a natural birth or would they just take me in for my section earlier?

 

[kimberleyrobx]

I am exactly like you! my girl was 6 days overdue and she weighed 9lbs 6oz, delivered by EMCS as she was too big! i am going elective section this time, although i still wonder if im making the right choice or not! xx

 

[filipenko32]

Hi I'm having a big baby too (husband and his father were ten pounders and this one will be too) and Im having an elective c section (got to book it ASAP tomorrow). I toyed and toyed with the idea of natural birth / induction / c section and initially decided on induction but me and hubs have changed our minds. We feel that it is too risky. Chances of emcs for anyone = 30% in the uk. Chances of emcs higher with induction. Dont know if they are statistically higher with big baby alone but I suspect they are! I am petrified of him getting stuck / distressed and just think this is best for baby. I have no medical conditions so hoping my anxiety about birthing a big babba will be enough. They are going to have to move quickly though as I am 32 plus 2 on monday, baby was 9lbs 9 via scan last tuesday will really need it early next week. Which country are you from fiffle?

But as for staying awake, I wouldn't have it any other way, conversely I would be gutted if they put me to sleep! But fiffle that must be an awful fear.

 

[fiffle]

sorry i didnt reply sooner, it's been a hectic few days so not had a chance to come on.

to kimberlyrobx; do the doctors think second baby will be big too? i know they tend to say if you've had big babies in the past you will most likely have them again, but if you're unsure about what you want to do you can always wait til nearer the time to find out what baby number 2's estimated birth weight is and just go from there. i know i would have liked to try for a natural birth this time if i could have.

to filipenko32; i'm from the uk, up in manchester. was 9lb 9 what they estimated baby will weigh at birth or what s/he is weighing now? my consultant told me that unless there is reason to believe that your dates are wrong or you have any sort of complications they won't perform an elective until 39 weeks

also just to update; I saw my consultant on tuesday and my baby's projected birth weight has gone down from 10lb to 9lbs, but she said this is still too big for someone my size (i'm only 4ft 11").

I discussed my queries with her and was told that if I go into labour before this coming tuesday then she's happy for me to try for a natural birth but if not it will have to be a c/section. (booked in now to have the elective the 23rd but if i should go into labour after next tuesday but before the 23rd it'll be a case of going straight to theater for a section)

i also discussed my fears over being awake and she said that if i truly am so scared then i will be put to sleep but i dont have to make a decision until the actual day itself so its a sort of "see how you feel at the time" deal

something else she told me was that if i choose to stay awake and have the spinal, but then begin to feel panicky, i can be given a sedative that wont knock me out but will relax me (something that when i have looked on websites to ask about i was told they didnt do) and i have to say knowing that made me feel much more comfortable with the idea of being awake, sort of like having a safety net there haha.

anyways thanks for the replies again and hope this imformation helps anyone with the same fears as me

 

[kimberleyrobx]

All babies in both sides of the families are huge, over 9lbs and 8lbs at the smallest! x

 

[filipenko32]

Morning ladies, so despite the scan and me having an elective c section. My beautiful little girl was born last Tuesday weighing 'only' 8lbs 10!! We are so in love with her We called her Lexi Jasmine

 

[fiffle]

congratulations filipenko! she's absolutely gorgeous! i love that name too

i thought i was going into labour last night! i'd had a steady "trickle" for over an hour so my MAU asked me to go in. turns out the baby was lay directly on my bladder causing pressure that meant my bladder was steadily leaking. HOW EMBARRASSING!!!

kimberleyrobx, i think in that case i'd have decided to go for the elective like yourself, when it comes to the health and safety of yourself and your baby it's definitely better to be safe than sorry hope everything goes well for you!

 

[Lil_Pixie]

I think you can say that you want to try to have a natural delivery if you go into Labour before your section date. I had an emergency section due to my baby being stuck, back to back and too big but I'll definitely try again before going for another section.

 

[fiffle]

thanks lil pixie, my consultant said she'd be happy for me to try for a natural birth if i'd gone into labour before 38 weeks but as i'm 38 weeks today i've missed that cut off date :\ ah well lol

oh and i absolutely LOVE the name Xander by the way! it was one of the few names that made my short list for this baby

 

[JessPape]

You can say no. Ultra sounds can be off 1-2 lbs, your body will compensate for big babies, rarely do they truly need a csection. I'd refuse.

 

[fiffle]

You can say no. Ultra sounds can be off 1-2 lbs, your body will compensate for big babies, rarely do they truly need a csection. I'd refuse.

because i've also had a previous c-section a big baby means my chances of uterine rupture are increased, plus there's the fact i'm so small to consider (just 4ft 11"), i sat down with my consultant while she explained everything and she was really really good, i didnt feel pressured at all, she just gave me the facts and as much as i'd have liked to try naturally it's just not worth the risk... only 4 more days now til my elective and i'm still really nervous about it and cant decide whether to stay awake or not but i've been told i can just decide what i want to do on the day (though i will be wholely pee'd off if he comes out a 7lber haha)