Should I be induced?

[Faith1]

Hello

I was hoping for some opinions. Here is my situation.

- have measured big all through pregnancy but didn't have any growth scans
- went to hospital because of reduced movement. Everything ok with baby but measuring 41 weeks when I'm fact I'm only 37 weeks
- was told baby is already 8lb
- had gestational diabetes test which came back clear
- seeing consultant on Thursday to discuss delivery plan
- I was adamant I wanted labour to start naturally and my worse fear is having a c section but I want this baby delivered safely. If I wait to go over 40 weeks who knows how big baby is going to be!
- should I be induced early or should I wait, I know consultant will tell me his thoughts but I wondered what you would do in your experience.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[H16]

Having given birth to an 8lb 8oz baby myself I would say get induced because personally I found labouring a baby that big very difficult and really wouldn't of wanted to labour a 10lber. Not trying to scare you, just being honest, it was bloody hard for me although I am sure there are women out there who managed fine with bigger babies than me. I am a bit worried what the size of my baby will be too tbh - he is 14oz already at 20 weeks and off the chart on size so I am a bit worried what he will be at full term! x

 

[beckyboo1]

Tbh I doubt that they would induce you early. My first was 10lb 10oz (I was indices due to being 12 days over)

I was tested for GD with my second, but I wanted to labour naturally.

I safely delivered a 10lb 12oz baby this time.

I would opt to be induced at all if I'm honest- it can make the contractions a lot more painful

If the hospital haven't sent you for growth scans, I'm not sure how they've estimated the current weight.

Having had two babies my advice would be to go naturally if possible- let your body deliver the baby when it ready xx

 

[xjdx]

This is my fourth, my worst labour was with my first which is the only child I have been induced with. He was the smallest to, I think it's the most unnatural thing in the world.
I had an epidural at 3cm when I was induced, but my last baby was 3 days late, 9lb 6.5oz and I had an amazing pool birth with her.

Xxx

 

[littlemonkey]

Having had a failed induction and emergency c-section with my first pregnancy, I would always try to avoid an induction! So much so I opted for another elective section with my second.

Both my babies were big, but having a big baby isn't necessarily a reason to be induced or have them early if there is no risk or harm to them. If your scans were ok and GTT clear then its likely theres no physical problem and you're just having a large baby. This is what happened with both my pregnancies, I just had big babies. My eldest was 9lbs at 41 weeks and my youngest was 8lbs 11 at 38 weeks.

I should also say I was induced with my first and had my second early because of my blood pressure both times. Neither was a result or problem with their size.

 

[Mum2Many]

Unless there's a medical reason to be induced, I personally wouldn't go that route. Big babies aren't necessarily harder to birth, their chub squashes down so it's much the same really as delivering a smaller baby except you've got gravity on your side too. LOL I had 10lbs 2oz and 9lbs 7oz babies at home! LOL I've been induced 4 times and honestly I'd choose going into natural labour over being induced any day if I had the choice. It's MUCH easier.

I wouldn't worry about babies size. Those scans are notorious for getting it wrong, and to be honest if baby is estimated 8lbs now at 37 weeks, he/she will only be about 9 1/2 lbs at 40 weeks which isn't massive really.

Maybe you could ask to go to 40 weeks and then re-evaluate the induction thing if you go that far?

 

[Laura82]

I would wait till nature intended. I delivered an 8lb 12 baby over 3 weeks early. Had a lovely stress free water birth using only gas and air and was back home after 4 hours of arriving at the hospital. Saying this, no 2 doesn't seem to want to be as simple so every birth is different

 

[BunnyN]

What country are you in? In some countries they no longer induce early for big babies because there isn't much proof it helps. In some countries they still encourage you to be induced. The problem is that the induction process essentaially causes the baby to be forced out so it is often harder on your body and the baby. Often your body will cope better with a larger baby when it is ready for labour than a smaller one when it is not.

Personally having had two large babies with natural labours I would never choose to be induced because of size alone. My first labour was very long but the contractions were quite slow and managable. I feel like my body knew it needed slow contractions to get her into the right postition. Her heartbeat was super happy throuout labour. I had 4 stitches her APGAR was 9/10. She was 9lbs 5oz. My second labour was more intense but faster than the first. No stitches his APGAR score was 8/10. He was almost 11lbs!

 

[Faith1]

Hi BunnyN, I'm in the UK

 

[BunnyN]

I dont think they generally go in for induction for a big baby anymore in the UK unless you have other problems too. They might agree to it if you pushed for it.

Did they seem worried about the size of the baby?

 

[buggy1]

I agree with some of the others, I wouldn't opt to be induced unless it was really necessary. I was measuring about 3 weeks ahead with my first, never offered a growth scan though I expressed concern I was told not to worry. I went 8 days over and she was born weighing 10lb 10z. I gave birth naturally, only gas and air until I needed an episiotomy, they give you some kind of injection down below to numb the area, and assisted with vontous. Everyone is different and you don't know what you can cope with until you're in the situation but a positive outlook helps, I think.

 

[openeyes]

I was induced with my son due to GD - and I have nothing but good things to say about the experience. I had the propess and the pessary, but never needed the drip as my waters went on their own. I was only in labour for 3 hours and delivered Riley, who was 8lbs 1.5oz with gas and air. Personally, I'm glad I was induced as if I had been left to term he could have been much bigger. And I'm being induced this time around as well.

But as the others have said, unless baby was off the charts, they probably wouldn't look to induce you just because you are measuring big.

 

[buggy1]

Also to say I had the GTT which came back negative. I'm not sure the test is too reliable!?

I was induced with my second and it was more painful, I ended up taking more for it (morphine) but then it was generally a bad experience so not really a fair comparison.

 

[BunnyN]

They will induce for GD but that is not just because of size. If you don't have GD it is unusual to have a baby that is bigger than it should be naturally. The biggest worry with big babies is the shoulders getting stuck. Of course as others have said sometimes induction goes smoothly too its just a case of weighing the risks and benefits. I think over one in 3 inductions lead to further intervention though so its something to think about.

I think the GTT is pretty realiable, if anything it tends to pick up the tendancy toward GD even when it won't cause any problems with a sensible diet. Some babies, like adults, are just big naturally.

 

[Faith1]

Hi everyone

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

I saw the consultant today and he said I could be induced at the start of next week if I want. I asked if I can go in next Thursday when I'm 39 weeks but I can still change my mind at any time.

He said there are three things that can cause the size of my baby.
1. Gestational diabetes
2. I have an infection
3. Problem with the baby

The first two have been ruled out. He said as soon as baby is born he will be taken away for his food pipe/stomach to be checked, but he did also say there might be nothing wrong.

They said I have mild SPD and are also testing me for pre-eclampsia now. I'm a bit swollen but I think it's just pregnancy weight....I don't think I've got it but we'll see.

Just feels like there are lots of little things going on that is increasing the risk. They said they definitely want me going over 40 weeks and as soon as I think I'm on labour I have to get myself to the hospital.

Sorry for the brain dump of all the information, just feels like I'm processing everything after the appointment this evening.

Thanks for all your input xx

 

[buggy1]

I think there should be an option 4 on the list, you just have larger babies! I don't think it's true to say that there must be either something wrong with you or the baby. My daughter was big and very healthy, still is.

 

[julies4gems]

I wouldn't worry about the size. I'm expecting my fifth baby now and my best/fastest/easiest labour, was with my biggest baby - 9lb12oz! x x

 

[julies4gems]

Just out of interest, how tall are you? X x

 

[Faith1]

Just realised I should have put they DONT want me going over 40 weeks.

Julies4gems I am 5 foot 1. I agree, surely there are just sometimes naturally bigger babies. The scans aren't always accurate too!

 

[julies4gems]

Babies are just small people and people are all different shapes and sizes. My babies have been 8lb6oz - two weeks late. 7lb11oz - three weeks early. 9lb12oz on due date and 8lb1oz - two weeks early. No real pattern, all healthy. Don't worry yourself - your baby will be just fine no matter what size x x