Baby on Bigger Side! Vaginal Birth or C-section

If all things are equal, I'd probably try for the vaginal delivery first. My DD was 8 lbs and I'm only 5ft1, so I had a LOT of baby to give birth to, percentage wise. And she had a big head, too.

Get more info on c-sections, the risks and recovery. That will help you make an informed choice.

I'm wondering how big "too big" is. My newest (11 weeks old now) was 10 lbs and 22 inches long. I felt like I had a toddler in there, but they never estimated his size for me. He's been above the 95th percentile at each doctor's appointment, though. I pushed him out in 4 minutes.

Unless you have a real medical reason for the c-section, I would go with a vaginal delivery. I did not even tear with this one, nor did I have to be induced. It was so awesome I wanted to have sex the next day, but my husband made me wait at least three weeks. Stinker. :)

Good luck!

Are you petite? My last baby was 10 lbs., 6 oz. and I had a vag. birth. It didn't seem any harder than the other ones.

I am a midwife. Ultrasound is never reliable to determine a baby's size. Also, ACOG which your doctor is probably a member of does not recommend a doctor do a c-section for a suspected big baby. So, if your doctor is recommending this he is going aganist what he college says to do and is not practicing evidence based medicine. You have already delivered two babies vaginally. You will be fine even if this baby is bigger. Fat squishes! Do not opt for a c-section based on size. A c-section is major surgery and that comes along with major risk. It is not worth it. I delivered a baby a couple of years ago that was over 13lbs! The mother stood up, squatted and pushed that baby out without even a tear. You can do this. You were made to do this.

I (vaginally)delivered an almost 10 lb. baby, w/ a midwife, no drugs and I have a petite frame. You can do it, especially If you trust your doctor.

I have had 2 C-Sections, and while I do not want to scare you if you end up having to have one, I would highly recommend trying vaginal first. I wanted to try for a VBAC with my second, and they told me I shouldn't because he was in the 95th percentile as well. Yeah, well... he weighed 8 pounds 8 ounces. Hardly 95th percentile. C-Sections are easier for doctors. Obviously, C-Sections have their place. They DO save lives. But they are over-used. Don't let them scare you. Try for the vaginal birth. If you end up with a C-Section then at least you tried. That is just my opinion - coming from having 2 C-Sections! (Don't let them induce you either - no matter what they say. My doctor told me it increases C-Section rates by 80%. Some doctors are section-happy. Luckily for me mine wasn't.)

Your doctor sounds like he's planning a vacation around your due date. I would NOT schedule a section for a big baby, seriously! My friend did this, her doctor totally freaked her out saying her baby would be 10+lbs and she HAD ot have a section. Her baby was 7lbs even at birth.

An ultrasound said my oldest would be 11lbs. He was 8.5lbs. My second son was 9lbs. Both were born easily, no tears and no major pain (no drugs!). Just stay up, be active during labor and don't lie on your back, be up, moving around ,walking and even sitting.

Scheduleing a sectiong for a big baby is like booking an ER for a hangnail. If something happens you will be take ncare of, but go into it with an open mind. The ultrasounds are always off by at least a pound when you are this far along. your body is amazing, you've already delivered two babies, it knows what to do. Go into labor and push that baby out!

With my last the dr estimated the he was 8 1/2+ pounds at 38 weeks so we scheduled an induction. I went into labor and delivered the night before my scheduled induction and he weighed 7 lbs 4oz. I don't think weight estimations via u/s is really all that accurate. And, your body is capable of more than you think.

Having recovered from both a c-section and vaginal births, I'd take vaginal anytime!! Much easier recovery.

Your doctor sounds a bit lazy. Go for the vaginal birth!

I've had 3 large babies 9.1 lbs, 9.12 lbs and 10.1 lbs - all delivered vaginally, no problems. Unless your baby is 14 lbs, you'll be fine...

N. ~
I'm an OB nurse, so have a good perspective :)
If you had no problems with your first two, there's no reason to believe you'd have trouble with this one. At this point, ultrasounds can be off by about 2 lbs. That's a big discrepency, and we don't often depend on this. I have seen babies over 12 lbs delivered vaginally with no problems. It all depends on your pelvis and the baby's head. I've also seen women deliver 10 or more years after their last baby, and still go fast. You've done this before & your body knows what to do. The recovery from a c-section is not the same as a vaginal delivery. You would have an IV for a day or two, with IV morphine or demerol for the first 24 hrs or so. 2-3 days in the hospital, bedrest for the first day. A few weeks before you feel more normal. I'm sure you'll be just fine, don't let your fears get the best of you!
good luck!
D.

It's really all up to you. My MIL gave birth to my husband vaginally, and he was 11 lbs 14 oz. Yep, almost 12 pounds. She also did it without an epidural since they didn't realize he was that big. My aunt also delivered a 10 lbs 4 oz baby vaginally. I'd say try, see what your body can do, and if you need a c-section then so be it.

My best friend delivered a 9+lb baby boy her first time and an 8lb boy the second. She did both vaginally with medicine and everyone was fine. Her second was on track to be 10lbs, but came a month early. I also know someone who delivered a 14lb baby! Oh ouch!! Not my idea of fun, but everyone was fine and mom recovered great without the c-section scars.

If it were me, I would go for vaginally and see how things work out. If there are complications then they can do an emergency C-section if needed. I personally am not a fan of planned C-sections, but not does not mean to say they are always a bad idea.

Research both and talk to your doctor, then go with what you feel is best.

Good luck and grats!

My son was average size at birth, but his head was (and still is) in the 90th percentile. I delivered vaginally (no epidural either) and had quite a bit of tearing, and therefore stitches. I do not regret for a second. I mean, I had about 10 stitches, but I was able to function and be a mom within hours. A C-section means 50-plus stitches, and being incapacitated for days or weeks. So why wouldn't you choose fewer stitches and less pain? My advice it to let nature take its course, but keep a fetal monitor going. If there's any indication of distress, THEN you can choose a C-section. If there's not, you're better off going with the option that's statistically safer for moms and babies alike.

Best wishes,

Mira

Many moms, my daughters included, successfully deliver large babies vaginally. I'd never opt for a c-section without a really huge reason, and I don't mean the baby's size. Also, ultrasounds often show a baby to be larger than it turns out to be. Stop worrying. Trust that your body was meant to have this baby. If things go very wrong, they can do a c-section, but I bet you deliver just fine vaginally. With 2 others to care for, you don't need to be recovering from major abdominal surgery needlessly.

I would definitley do my best to have a vaginal birth. Why even consider major surgery when you don't know. Heck, it's your 3rd - he/she might just pop on out.

And you should be scared of a c-section - it's surgery.

In any case, I wish you an awesome birth and a healthy and happy baby - so exciting!!

Also, my baby measured at 8 lbs 9 oz. the day before I gave birth. She was only 7 lbs. 7oz. Don't trust an US for size.

Doctors do not always get the size of the baby correct, it is an estimate. My friend was induced a week early, and subsequently had a c-section because she was carrying a "big" baby. The baby turned out to be less than 7 Ibs!!!
I was much bigger and had a harder time birthing my second son who was actually 1/2 Ib smaller than my first son. It isn't necessarily the size of the baby that makes a birth easy or difficult.
Only you can make the decision, but you have to remember a c-section is major abdominal surgery. It carries a much higher risk of complications for you and your baby.
I think you should give your body a chance to do what it has been designed to do. You can do this!!! You know you can, you have done it twice before :)
Good luck and I wish you best with the decision you make, oh and congratulations :)

Would there be any harm in being open-minded with this and just see what happens? You may be able to deliver vaginally, no problem. Of course, be flexible with your plans in case something were to medically necessitate a c-section.

For what it is worth, I'm not a big fan of pushing out the babies. But...when I had my second child I just reminded myself that this was only going to be a few hours in the grand scheme of things and soon it would be all over, a distant memory. It really helped put things into perspective!

I delivered all 3 of my babies vaginally and the last 2 were with no drugs an db both over 9 pounds. I had the option of a c section but it totally scared me. Personally, I think vaginal is always better if possible.

Did you have any issues/tearing etc with your first two? If not, I'd say go for vaginal! I was more "strechy" with my second and I think that's common that moms get more "strechy" with each child. C-sections scare me too and I think I'd rather risk a little tear or episiotmy than Csection. My midwife was really good to me and she knew that I only wanted to be cut if it absoluty looked like I was going to tear - everything went fine!

I had no trouble with my son - 9 lbs 2 oz.
My doctor said I had a great roomy pelvis for birthing.
Those pre-birth estimates are notorious for over estimating the baby's size/weight.
You might feel larger because your prior pregnancies stretched your muscles out.
You can try for a vaginal birth, but tell the dr if anything looks like it's going wrong or the baby gets stressed then go for the C section.
The goal here is to have as healthy a baby as possible.
Any way you do that is fine.

When I hit about 36-ish weeks in my first pregnancy and was in the hospital in labor, the technician gasped in shock that the baby was going to weigh "close to 9 pounds!"

Right. She was born later that afternoon and was just over 6 pounds.

When the babies are this late in the pregnancy it's nearly impossible to get any sort of accurate weight measurement. Size of your belly isn't very telltale either. That's probably based more on where everything is positioned inside of your body right now. Every pregnancy is different.

I was induced a week early with my second because they thought he was getting "too big" and he was only 6lbs. 9 oz. He was almost a full pound smaller than my daughter and I delivered her with no problem at all (she was induced also, but was a week overdue and was conceived on Clomid, so they were sure of the gestational age). I would never choose a C section, especially due to being too big. They don't know for sure how big that baby is and I would rather give a vaginal birth a shot before rushing into surgery. This is ultimately YOUR decision and I would urge you to not let your doctor bully you into something you don't want. I should have resisted the induction with my second and now I regret letting my doctor scare me into it, so go with your gut and NO REGRETS!

While the doctors have an idea of how big yoru baby is they often don't realy know. My 1st was 8lb 12 oz and they told me she would be around 7.5 lbs. My 2nd was 9 lb 15oz and nearly 23 inches - and they had no idea he was so big. My SIL was toldto ahve a schedule C-section cuz her baby was breech and was very big. Meanwhile she was jsut about 7 lbs and looked bony - she could have used a couple another 1-2 weeks in the oven to "bake". Bottom line is that they have an idea of your baby's size but they don't *know*. Try vaginal and see what happens. We live in America with excellent medical facilities - if baby doesn't progress they can do a c-section. I've had one of each and vaginal is so so so so so much easier to recover from - so much easier.

Hi N.,
You have received some good advice here. I think that the size of the baby's head (and shoulders) and the mother's size really has more to do with the ease/difficulty of a vaginal delivery. If you have already had two vaginal deliveries, my guess is you will be fine. I think the size of the baby affects how uncomfortable you will be during your pregnancy but not necessarily how smoothly the delivery goes. You have made it to 38 weeks already so you won't have to deal with the pregnancy discomfort much longer! My first was my smallest but had a head at 95%. She was my most difficult delivery (1.5 hours of pushing) but it still went well and I healed quickly.
Blessings on whatever you decide and congrats on the coming little one.

I would at least try vaginally. I have had 2 c-sections and they suck!!

Two things:
1. Ultrasounds are notorious for being wrong about size of baby. I was told over and over again that my first born was going to be huge. They were preparing me for a major issue there. He was only 6 lb 14 oz. The doctor said, "Oh, he's a little peanut!" She was shocked.
2. My biggest baby was one of my easiest deliveries. She popped right out without any issue at all.
Okay, 3 things. LOL A C-section is more convenient for your doctor, and he/she makes more money doing it. You do the math.
I would never opt for a C-section given a choice. And, once a C-section, most hospitals today require always a C-section. You will be setting a path for your future deliveries if you ever have more.

In my opinion you should not elect a c-section. There are many more risks and many more deaths associated with c-sections than vaginal births. If there is a real reason, than so be it. But here is what I can tell you. My MIL naturally delivered all three of her babies (no pain meds at all) The first was over 8 pounds, the second was over 9 pounds and the third was 11! AND she is only 5' tall! Women are made to have babies so give it a try. Just my humble opinion!

I've known a few women that had big babies vaginally. It's amazing what our bodies can do. I'd attempt a vaginal delivery if I was in your shoes.

My kids were 10 lbs 2 oz and 9 lbs 14 oz. I obviously can't compare this to having "normal-sized" babies, but I was able to push them out without the doctor having to use forceps or the vacuum. The size of the head is the biggest issue as far as I'm concerned--and my oldest has a HUGE head. Even though I had a pretty significant tear with my oldest, I never even considered a c-section with my 2nd and it was a breeze compared to the 1st time around.
Good luck!

Hi N., my first son was 8lbs 14.5oz-22in, my doc estimated he'd be a bit bigger. Doc thought my second one had an abnormally large head and would be over 9lbs.. He was 8lbs 3oz! I don't trust the measurements! Neither were as big as they thought. And my doc said the biggest babies shes delivered have been vaginal deliveries so a large baby was just one of the reasons she thought it was best. Both c sections & the smaller one came out easier! Their heads measured big & big heads run in my husbands family...(personal observation!) My whole pregnancy my doctor was very supportive of my wishes to go as natural as I could.... Until the baby refused to drop. He never sunk into my pelvis, no contractions (very few braxton hicks even), no dialation, nothing. I was disappointed when she suggested a C in her office but as she put it, in my situation she recommended it because she felt more in control if something were to happen and also noted that if she were to induce there is no telling how long it would take. (since he wasn't making any moves to come out on his own, induction could have created more complications.) And as she stated, I could be induced go through labor for hours and then may gave an emergency c section! Then she said she'd never have a baby naturally! I laughed and her reasons were the control factor, safety of it and keeping her lady parts intact. I was nervous but felt comfort that it was my safest choice. My doc was great, the anesthesiologist was great and the post op nurses were great.

I was in the hospital 4 days (i milked the last day for more help!) April 5th I had my 2nd c section for the same reasons, my babies don't want to come out of me! The first day sucks, iv, leg cuffs, catheter, discomfort. Second day sucks, make you get up & walk.. A tad painful, after that, it gets better! Once I got home I was never 'bed ridden'. I didn't have anyone staying with me to ' help' either. The only thing I didn't do was lift my 2 year old, I rolled the stroller to the crib & he'd climb in & out and I changed him on a lower surface.
It's been 8 weeks since the second one and I feel brand new! The incision is just a bit pink, below my bikini line and if it heals the same way it did before-it will just look like a wrinkle! I can wear bikinis and no one knows I had 2 kids cut out of me! It's been great! Plus I don't pee when I laugh and my lady parts are intact! Another cool thing was during my first one my doc found and removed an ovarian cyst that I otherwise may not have known about until it caused problems. Sorry it's long but I want you to know that it can be a good experience! The key for me was having it scheduled and planned. It gave me comfort to know what to expect.
From talking to other moms I think an emergency C would be frightening.. Being in labor, being exhausted and then having a complication would scare me. Besides, with a c section you can pick the birthday!
You have gone naturally before, I'm sure you can do it again. The estimates on size have been way over in my opinion so you just never know. Do what makes you comfortable but any woman strong enough to deal with 2 kids towards the end of pregnancy can handle a c-section! Don't be freaked out it about it, you will be fine! Good luck!

I had two c-sections, not by choice really. I just never progressed past a certain point. I guess it's how I was built. If I were in your shoes, I'd go for the vaginal delivery. Since you've had two births already, your body will remember how to prepare itself. The recovery for c-sections is longer and there are side effects no one mentions. I was restricted from driving and stairs for two weeks after my surgery (and I live in a bungalow, with my bedroom upstairs and the TV in our finished basement). Your ab muscles take a while to get strong again. Lifting is restricted, which is tough when you already have children. And my body will never be the same. I know it doesn't happen to everyone, but I feel like I have a whole second stomach that sleeps next to me, and I've heard that happens with a c-section. If you stall at 5 cm and your body won't deliver a big baby, they can always choose to do a c-section at the hospital. But give your body the benefit of the doubt first. Good luck!

A woman's body recovers from vaginal delivery in a matter of weeks. It takes a year for her body to recover from a c-section. Why trade a few hours of pain for a few months of pain?

I would never agree to a c section based on an ultrasound. They are always off by a pound or two. I would just let nature take its course. If while in labor a c section is indicated then OK, but certainly not before.

Hi, N. --

Now, my son was my first, but they had also said that he was expected to be very large (I was measuring 42 weeks pregnant at 38 weeks ;o) ) So, my doctor also gave me the option, but before I made the decision we decided to have another ultrasound to get better idea on sizing. He was showing in the 98% and expected to be over 10 lbs by the estimates of the ultrasound. She said I could always try, but she might end up having to do something if he got stuck like break his clavicle - sooo....needless to say that was all I needed to hear. Went in at 6AM to Beaumonth Troy, got prepped and in for c-section at 8AM and there he was as 8:20AM - so definitely could not complain about that :)

Oh, and I will mention that although he was large (8lbs 13 oz and 21 1/2 inches long) he was not the 10 lb baby or larger that they had prepped me for...

Hope this helps your decision and Good Luck and Congrats!!!

T.

Vaginal birth! Can they induce a week early? They did that for my sil- all of her kids were between 9 & 10 lbs. Having a csection means no driving for a couple of weeks and no lifting even longer! I had vaginal birth, emergency csection, and just did a vbac! Good luck! Oh and ultrasound of my baby's size was off a pound! Estimated to be 8.5 and came 2 days past due date at 7 lb 7 oz!

I'm 5'1" and when I had my sons I was mid-sized (about a size 6-8). Both my babies were over 9 pounds with successful vaginal deliveries.

I knew my babies were big because I was a great white whale during my pregnancies, my family had a history of large babies (my dad was 10 pounds) and my husband is 6'4". It just seemed unlikely that I would have a teeny, weeny 6 pounder. It also just seemed like a part of life to me, not something for which I needed to elect a c-section. I don't think I ever gave it a second thought. And after it was over? All I felt was a huge sense of pride that I accomplished something huge...literally and figuratively!

I vote for giving a vaginal delivery a try.

I agree with A.C.

I know people that were induced at 38/39ish weeks with worries of larger babies (previous baby was nearly 11lbs which ended in c-section) and had #2 vaginally... #2 was just over 9lbs.

I'm only 5ft and 130ish lbs not pg... I gave birth to an 8lber vaginally without a problem.

I say always try for vaginally first.

Good luck!

Oh... And ultrasounds can be wrong as far as baby size.

My biggest baby was my easiest delivery. He was my second of three children (all vaginal births) and each of my children were 5 years apart. Honestly, he was the easiest!! Good luck with your decision.

I believe it is best to go with the way God intended unless you run into trouble. Your doc can be ready for a section if need be. My #2 daughter wasn't really big, but she was 1 1/2# bigger than my first and her head was an inch and 1/2 bigger. It took alot of pushing and forceps but she was being monitored the whole time and everything was fine. I don't think they actually use forceps anymore but I think they are safer than that suction thing they have now. A C-Section IS major surgery, your recovery will be longer and more diffucult. The main goal is delivering safely with a healthy baby. Does doc recommending a section? I find it interesting doc is giving you the choice rather than saying what is best for you and baby. Lots of women that are size 4 deliver 10 pounders...no problem. Since you have done this before....your body has done this before, I have to think a vaginal birth will be fine.

You do realize that they can be off by a pound either way right? They told me that my child was going to be 6 pounds and he was born 5.

My daughter was 10lbs and I delivered her vaginally. Her head was also so big they had to measure it 3 times. The doctor knew she was going to be bigger so they had everything set up just in case and everything turned out fine. It was actually easier with her then my first daughter who was only 7lbs.

C-sections are not that bad. However, if you can have vaginal birth then try that first. I have had both and never had problems with either one. C-sections cost more so the doctor would get quite a bit more from the insurance company. I had a baby over 9 lbs. without any epidural or anything. It was kind of trying for me but the nurse was very good and patient. Your muscles will not hold your baby in as well so your belly will look bigger. Not always the case!! Good luck and congratulations :)

I'm very thin build and had 3 babies all over 9 #....no problems.
If you can go vaginal, go for it...good luck :)

I had 13 hours of labor without any luck, my son had a HUGE head and I have a small pelvic area. The doc decided to do an emergency C-section after my heart rate decreased and then my son's heart rate decreased.

Nothing is scarier than having an emergency C-section. Everyone in the room was rushing and prepping me for surgery. I was wheeled into the surgery room and I was terrified, things were going so slowly for 13 hours then bam - emergency surgery!

I really wish that my doc had given me option of a C-section, especially since my son's head measured so big. I'd rather go in w/ a scheduled delivery and a nice pace, knowing what is going on instead of having everyone run around like a chicken w/o a head!!

Go with what you feel comfortable with. You've had a 'vag' delivery so it's not like you're missing out on the childbirth experience. But, be forewarned, a C-section is NOT easy to recuperate from. Your incision area will hurt. It will take some time to heal and you'll need help reaching for things, picking up things, etc.

Good luck - do what you think is right for yourself.
Wishing you a safe delivery and a happy, healthy baby!

Unless there is a medical issue or condition forcing you to get a cesarean... you should (In my professional opinion and personal opinion) allow nature to take it's course. Big babies are born vaginally all the time - you need to discuss perineal support, perineal oiling and stretching with your OB... if you had a Midwife, I'd not worry about it at all, but OBs don't really care about perineal support - so you REALLY need to bring it up and see if She/He is well versed in how to do so in order to decrease the need of an episiotomy or unnecessary tearing.

My sister deliverd a 10 pounder. He had a shoulder distocia (that is he got stuck at the shoulders and the only way to get him out involved breaking the clavical. The most scary part of the shoulder distocia scenerio though is the lack of oxygen while baby is stuck. Delivering a big babies is scary. The problem is, there is really no good way of knowing how big your baby is, there is so much room for error.