Doctor Said My Baby Is Big and May Want to Induce

I was induced on my due date and my baby was not ready so i did not dialate and had to have a c-section. If you have no reason other than that I would make the plea to not be induced.

M.

I had the same experience with my first baby except I did have gestational diabetes. The doctor induced me early and it was a hard labor but talking to other people it didn't seem to be any worse than waiting until you were in labor. I had him in 28hrs which does sound like a long time but I've heard of others being in labor for longer. It didn't harm the baby and he was born happy and healthy. I think I would much rather be induced instead of having a c-section. The recovery time was way less. Hope this helps and take care.

M.

Don't induce if you have a choice! A huge percentage of induced labors end in c-sections- including mine & that of several women I know. I was induced because I was 2 weeks past the due date, but that sounds highly unlikely to happen to you. Many women are able to deliver larger babies without extra help such as inducing, which just makes the whole experience worse.

If you are a big protein eater, your child will have a higher birthweight...Try cutting back on your protein intake some...

However...Unless there is some truly medically necessary reason for either the induction or the c-section, tell your doctor he is being overly cautious.

Women give birth to large sized babies every day (the doctor I had with my twins encouraged this and proudly displayed a wall of all of his 10lb and over club). If your current doctor is uncomfortable with you having a larger size baby in the time your child feels it is necessary to be born then find another doctor!!!

Inductions and C-sections should only be performed with there is some medical risk to mother and/or child! Anyone who tells you different is out of their medical mind. Get a second opinion at the absolute least.

Women are able to stretch to accomodate their children and are designed to do so. The few of us who are unable to do so are still capable of giving birth naturally without induction. C-sections should be reserved for the event that there is some sort of trauma present and inductions should only be scheduled if there is an imminent problem. why risk the health of your child by inducing early because he/she might be big.

Ask the women you know who have had kids. Were they told to expect a baby that was a certain size and if the baby was as big as projected.

In many of the cases where friends of mine were old they were going to have a 9lb+ baby it was often only 7 - 8 lbs in size.

Good Luck!!! ;-)

Hi M.!

It looks like you have gotten a lot of good advice and information, so I'll just add my voice to the chorus. I have heard many, many stories of the estimates being off about size, so it doesn't seem necessary to me to induce just for that. As someone else mentioned, induction raises your chance of having a c-section; it doesn't lower it. Many people have big babies. I've also heard from practitioners that women not having a big enough pelvis/birth canal is extremely rare, even though people talk like it's common.

I was induced at 41.5 weeks, and it was not something that I'd recommend unless absolutely medically necessary. Remember that your doctor (or midwife or whatever kind of provider you work with) is an advisor, and you get to make the decisions for yourself. I'm not suggesting playing hardball, but to keep educating yourself, as you're already doing. :)

Lastly, my husband was more than 12 pounds (scale only went up to 12) when he was born, and his mother had him at home with no drugs, and she is a TINY woman! Proof that big babies can come from small women. Good luck! You will be great!

DON'T GET AN INDUCTION.

It is proven that women who are induced are at higher risk for c-sections. Big babies are not a reason to induce, nor a reason for a C-section. Avoid induction and any unnecessary interventions at all costs, if you don't want a cesarean, and if you want the healthiest birth possible.

Read this, by Lamaze (as in the Lamaze classes): http://www.injoyvideos.com/mothersadvocate/pdfs.html

The Lamaze site is down for revamping, but they linked to what i wanted to show you.

Lamaze states that labor should start on its own (non-induced).

For what it's worth, they told me that my baby would be "big" as well. She as born 7lbs 14oz. Not at all big. ultrasounds are not the be-all and end-all.

In fact, if I were you, I'd skip getting another ultrasound at all. It sounds like they're gearing you up for a c-section, to be honest.

PS: *YOU* are in control of your choices for how you wanna give birth. Don't let anyone pressure you or tell you what you should do. I highly recommend reading the papers above, and perhaps getting a doula so that she can make sure your decisions are honored while you are busy tending to your birth. You really have to stand strong and not budge when it comes to getting hospitals to respect your wishes.

I was induced with my first child for different reasons. If your doctor suggests that this is necessary, and you agree, it is not the worst thing in the world!! If you are not sure you think it is a good idea, perhaps you can seek a second opinion. Another thing you oculd look at it how your mom did with deliveries - were her babies big or small? (This might give you some confidence in whether you can deliver a large baby..., although it is certainly only an indicator, not a guarantee.)

Either way, you may consider hiring a doula, which can greatly ease the labor and delivery process. Women who use doulas generally end up being happier with their experiences than women who don't. In your specific case, a doula may be able to help you understand why you make the choice you make, to come to terms with accepting a birth you are not necessarily wishing for, and also to help manage the process of induction.

If you do go for induction i would ask a few questions:

1) What happens if there is no progress after 12 or so hours? Is your doctor willing to try the induction and then let you go home if it is not working?
2) What will the process be, and what will the decision points be? (If the initial cervical ripening medicine doesn't work, will your doctor delay the pitocin at that point?)
3) What is the process for deciding pitocin doses? If your contractions become too strong, is your doctor willing to cut back on the dosage?
4) What is your doctor's rate of induction, compared to state average rates? What is your doctor's rate of c-section compared to state average rates? How often does your doctor induce due to non-progress?
5) How can you negotiate this so that you are comfortable with all the decisions?

I'm not a doctor, or a midwife, or anything like that, so, i'm not even sure what the answers should be. However, i think you'll feel better for asking.

My other thoughts are that some of the risk of induction is that there is non-progress of labor, which can lead to c-section, but may just be due to the baby not being ready. (My first try at induction didn't work, so we waited a week and tried again, and that time it did work. But i feel like if my doctor hadn't been willing to wait that week i would have been in for a horribly long and perhaps surgically ending experience. For that reason, i think having flexible docs and nurses is important.)

Also, the pitocin can lead to extra strong and extra fast contractions. This can be moderated by adjusting the dose of pitocin. But, you have to have nurses and doctors who are willing to pay attention to your contraction patterns and adjust accordingly. If you are induced, and it feels like it is too strong or too fast, you can ask if they can slow it down by turning down the pitocin. But, i think you will feel more comfortable with that if you discuss the options with your doctor before hand.

Good luck!!! I hope your baby is beautiful and the birth goes well.

M.,

Don't stress about anything yet. Keep gathering information so that you are prepared for both routes. If you're going to have to get a C-section, though, it should be an emergency that causes it - not because of electing to be induced because you *might* be having a big baby.

I have many women in my life who have naturally delivered 9 and 10 pound babies when baby was ready to come. You don't have to be afraid of that, just prepared with breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and birthing positions. If you're going to be helping a large baby out, I would venture to guess that you will not be laying on your back to do it! Squatting would be the best for opening up the hips and birth canal.

Would your doc be ready to deliver like that? You need to talk to him about what he's willing to do to help you achieve your goals (once you decide what those are). You said in your last sentence "before he makes any decisions" - This is YOUR baby, YOU make the decisions!!

As far as induction, some people think it's great. Physically, pitocin makes your body have stronger contractions closer together, which is where the extra pain you hear about comes from. At that point mom is usually asking for drugs, so they give an epidural which slows everything down and puts baby in distress, which then leads to the recommendation of a C-section. What mom won't say yes if baby is in distress?

So do your research and be prepared with how you and your doctor will respond to each situation. Blessings on your last few weeks!

I don't think it's a good idea to be induced. Not only is it incredibly painful, it's not the healthiest thing for your baby. Babies all "cook" at different rates inside the womb, and when your baby is ready, you will go into labor. Are you completely sure about your last menstrual period date? Due dates are fairly arbitrary because of all the variables that can be involved, including length of cycle and accuracy of dates. Normal gestation is anywhere from 36 to 44 weeks. I am currently 32 weeks pregnant and my baby is also measuring a week ahead of schedule. This might mean that my baby has had a growth spurt or it could mean that my dates are off. It doesn't necessarily mean a bigger baby. It is always the best choice to wait and let your body and your baby do the work of developing and labor and delivery. Don't let your doctor tell you that you will have to have a C section if you have a big baby. Our hips and pelvis bones soften in labor and become flexible to accomodate the baby's head, even if it is slightly bigger than average. Ultimately, you labor and delivery choices are yours alone, so it is entirely up to you whether you induce or choose to wait it out. Your doctor should support your decision, whatever it is. Good luck!

Hi M.,

It is so great that you are gathering information, it's so important to understand the risks and benefits. Is there a chance that your due date is incorrect? Our bodies are amazing and generally can birth the babies we grow. Of course, there are times when induction is really needed and thank goodness we have the technology at those time. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists does not recommend induction for big babies because it more than doubles the risk of cesarean without reducing many of the risks associated with having a large baby. I would encourage you to gather lots of facts and take them to your doctor. Have a good long discussion so that you feel really prepared to make an informed decision. I wish you a safe and happy birth!--C. S.

Obviously you will have to trust your own judgment and that of your doctor.

That said I believe your doctor is jumping the gun here! You are at 30 weeks - you have !10! weeks to go! You should not even be thinking about induction yet. You may go into labor on the early side of the spectrum naturally (I did at 37 weeks) or your baby's growth may slow and put you in "normal" ranges.

You should also know that as your pregnancy progresses ultrasound and external measurements get increasingly unreliable for determining the anticipated birth weight and may be off by by up to a pound. Nowadays early induction or scheduled c/s are often a reason for delivering premature babies, so called iatrogenic prematurity.

Induction just as other medical interventions into the natural process of pregnancy and birth have their place if their benefits and risks are carefully weighed.
Induction prior to your due date will put you at an increased risk of cascading interventions that may lead to a unsatisfying birth experience or cesarean section. Generally it is regarded beneficial only when medically indicated (medical conditions of the mother or fetus) or when the baby is overdue (past 41 weeks).

Talk to your doctor about you concerns and don't be shy about getting a second opinion - I can only recommend seeing a midwife - she may be able to give you a different perspective.

Hi M.,

Way to go for asking this question here, you have more research to do! But as a childbirth educator I know that ultrasound weight estimates are only accurate to + or - 1 to 2 lbs and that late in a pregnancy they are not accurate in estimating gestational age... So you might have a big baby and you might not. Another thing to think about is that the reason your doctor is giving you for possible induction is to avoid a c-section, but induction itself increases risks for lots of things including c-sections. And large babies do not equal c-sections. Some women have had c-sections with a first baby and were diagnosed with CPD (meaning the baby's head was too big for the mom's pelvis) and then went on to deliver a larger baby vaginally.

So do some more research. Think about the Benefits, Risks, Alternatives and what your Intuition says as well as the possibility of doing Nothing (B.R.A.I.N) before you make a big decision to induce.

I can recommend a couple of books: The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. Check them out from the library! Good luck!

Hi M.,

Scarlett (a few posts back) gave you some great advice and resource recommendations.

You are very right to question inducing as your body was made for giving birth and inducing makes contractions so much stronger, longer, and more frequent that it is much more intense for you (and usually not manageable without the epidural, unlike a spontaneous labor) and often puts baby into distress (these unnatural contractions can cause "fetal distress"). Both of these lead to cesarean. First-time mothers who are induced are 4 to 10 times more likely to have a cesarean so I'm not sure why your doctor would say it will decrease your chance.

I think your baby is going to be just the right size for you, and in the very slight chance there were a problem you can just as safely take the medical intervention needed at that point. :o)

Hoping you get the direction you need!

C.

Did you know that induction greatly increases your chance of a c-section? Even more so that a large baby. Keep in mind that it's not the baby's weight that determines whether or not he'll fit, but the head size. The rest is all squishy and soft.

I begged my midwife to induce me at one day past my due date because I was so miserable, and I truly believe had I not been induced I would have avoided a c-section. I also got an epidural, which not only didn't work, but kept me from being able to move around and get into a good birthing position (hands and knees, squatting, etc). My son was 9 lbs.

If I ever have another baby and decide to do a vbac, there will be no induction and no epidural.

Induction usually involves a lot of pitocin, which causes longer, more intense contractions than with a natural birth. My oldest was induced because he was big and there wasn't much amniotic fluid around him due to his size. Looking back, I'm sure he would have come on his own within a few days and I wish I'd avoided all that extra intervention. I am not a doctor and can't give you medical advice, but from what you've written about the baby not appearing to be in danger and your family having larger babies, I personally would not let them induce. Eat sensibly and healthfully until the baby comes and let your body do what it knows how to do naturally!

Don't worry to much as long as they are watching you should be fine. I was induced all 3 times and it resulted in a normal 6-9 hours labor and delivery with all 3. Your dates may be off a little. I went into labor at 35 weeks with my first and the stopped it, due to policy, and they induced me at 39 weeks due to the size of the baby and she came out at 8 lb. 13 oz. We believe I was further along then we thought. I was induced for different reasons with the following two, but it was an easy process for me and was successful.

I really encourage you to research a bit about inductions before you make a decision. One piece of information out there is that women who are induced are more likely to have a c-section than women who start labor naturally. I measured at least 2 weeks ahead with both my daughters and they were both very "normal" sized. My first was 7 pounds 5 ounces and 6 days early (I did have gestational diabetes) and my second was 8 pounds 11 ounces and 11 days late. My OB even commented that I'm not built for big babies, but both mine were born vaginally without medical intervention.

I feel for you. But I do understand. My first child was 10lbs. I almost had i c section. I wish they would of known earlyier so i could of been induced earlier. I must say it can be a long process but i didn't have to bad of a time besides that my daughter was so big. Trust your gut and do what you feel is the right thing to do.

I was induced 3 wks before my due date with my first-born due to similar issues. It wasn't an easy delivery since he was so big and I'm on the smaller side. He was 8 lbs. 2 oz. at birth. (They say they gain a pound a week at the end of your term, so that would have put him at 11+ lbs. had we waited until my due date.)

I pushed for quite a long time and was very close to having a C-section, before finally delivering him. I would say to go with your doctor's recommendation on this one.

My son is now a happy, healthy nine-year-old. Good luck with everything! There's nothing like being a mom -- it changes your life for the better forever. :)

Ultimately, it is your choice. Do lots of research (getting opinions here is great too) and know that you are making the decision that is right for you. Think through all outcomes. There are lots of stories here about inductions that went well....no problems. That is great! Also, you need to think how you will feel if it doesn't go well. In a natural labor, your baby sends a signal (a hormone) to your body that starts labor. If you are induced, that baby has not sent that signal meaning he/she really isn't ready to be born yet. Sure babies are born healthy after inductions, but there is a much higher chance of problems with the labor and with the baby if the labor starts with an induction. Of course, you always have to weigh pros and cons of everything....there's so much to think about. I've had a cesarean and two natural labors (VBACs) and I knew after that cesarean I would do absolutely everything to avoid another one which included no induction unless absolutely necessary for my or my baby's health. The natural labors were unbelievable! Painful, yes, but the most wonderful experiences of my life! And the recovery was amazing not having any drugs in my system. Again, not trying to sway you, just sharing my experience.

Hi!
First of all, ultrasounds can be very inaccurate and should not be used as the only diagnostic tool. Inductions at any time are very risky and dangerous for both mother and baby (not to mention more painful). A big baby is not a bad thing, nor is it high risk. Midwives often have clients with babies over 10lb and experience no complications. Your doctor shouldn't scare you into having an induction that could endanger you or your baby's life. If you do some research, you'll see that the induction rate in this country is far above where it should be according to the World Health Organization and is attributing to our high infant and maternal mortality rates. There have also been a lot of studies lately that have all found that the baby's risk for all kinds of complications increases each week before 40 weeks.
If you need more information, I have links to some great websites! Hope this helps!

Sincerely,
J.

Good luck. I'm sure your Dr has your best interest as the basis for all descission making. Sounds to me that he/she is very consiensious (sp) and will do what ever you need for your comfort and your babies best interest also. Congradulations. Unfortunately I was unable to have children, however my companion of over 14 years has 4 daughters who gave us 4 grandchildren. Three of the girls have children. 2 of the moms were induced and every thing went well. Kids are all very healthy and good people. My Mother has told me (after having 7 babies) that you soon forget any discomfort you had from child birth. I'll bet your Mother told you that also. My sisters, I think have agreed with that. Due to not being able to have my own children my brothers & sisters have made it a practice to share their children with me. It was so nice. I was even my younger sister's labor coach for two deliveries. What a wonderful experience that was. I feel like these are also my children.

I can not speak to your question on being induced and the type of labor that you could have. I merrily wanted to express my congradulations and best wishes for you and all of your family.

Marti S

I was induced for a different reason and I don't regret it because it was necessary for the health of my baby, but I wish things could have been done differently. If I had a choice, I would rather not have to be induced again...it was uncomfortable to say the very least and being hooked up to the monitors all the time made it impossible to try many different positions to ease the discomfort. Of course, labor and delivery isn't really supposed to be comfortable. LOL. I guess I would say, if I had a choice, I would NOT be induced. Do what feels right to you, as long as you and your baby are safe. Good luck.

I just had to say hello becuase I'm also due on the 2nd. This is my second and I was induced at 40 weeks with my 1st due to pre-eclampsia and all went well and I had a great birth experience and my daughter was great. Still, I agree with all the other posts here about waiting to make a decision and that the ultrasounds this late are not as reliable. Wait for the next ultrasound before you panic too much and even then ask for the time you need to make the decision that is right for you. Either way - whatever happens just go into it knowing you were as informed as you could be and what happens after that will be what happens and you can't put regret and guilt on it. Anyway, hope all goes well.

I was induced early with my pregnancy, but not for the same problem you're experiencing. I was at 38 weeks, 6 days according to my doctor, but we disagreed about my actual due date. She said I delivered 8 days early, I think it was only 3. Anyway, we chose to induce because my daughter wasn't moving as much for the last 2 days of the pregnancy. Turns out, the placenta was starting to function less efficiently and she wasn't getting the right nutrients. For what ever reason, my body wasn't sending or receiving the signals it needed to go into labor. The induction was not bad at all. My labor wasn't anymore painful than I expected and it was quick (6 and a half hours). I certainly recommend an epidural. Mine controlled my pain well and my labor progressed well because I was comfortable. I was still able to feel enough to push well. I think I pushed 3 times and my daughter was out. She was 6lbs, 4 oz at birth and was expected to be 7 1/2 lbs. I was told later that her lower weight could have been because she was a little early or because the estimate that they make can be up to a full pound off. Next time you have an ultrasound, ask the technician how large they think the baby is. I found that my doctor's estimate was different from the ultrasound tech's and the tech was closer to accurate. She was always about a half pound less than the doctor said. I wish you well and hope that everything goes well. Congratulations on your new baby!

Not to be contradictory, but you never know what size your baby is going to be. My doctor though my son would be between 7 & 8 pounds and when he was born (1 day late, naturally, without drugs) he was 10 pounds 4 ounces. Second time around, new doctor, I had an ultrasound at 38 weeks and my daughter was measuring 7.5 pounds. I wasn't convinced so they induced me 2 weeks early. This time I had the epidural. But she was born at 9 lbs. 4 ozs. That's nearly 2 pounds off! Doctors also say the measurements can be off either way. They may measure big and come out small. They me measure small and come out big. You never know. But with your husbands size at birth, I'd error on the side of big. My husband & I were both 8 something at birth, so I don't know where this 10 pounder came from. But I was healthy, he was healthy, no gestational diabetes, and my belly measured 2 weeks small. It will all work out in the end. I'd say give it a go. A week early is not going to hurt the baby. People do it all the time! I'm sure you'll end up with a beautiful healthy baby in the end!

Trust your instincts.

I am another mother who changed providers pretty late in the game on #1 (around 8 months)--because I just *knew* I was going to go late and if I stayed in the hospital setting I was going to end up with a regulation-caused Csection, which I wasn't willing to do. As it turned out, I would have triggered hospital policy for compulsory induction (and probable Csection, given how things *did* turn out) four different ways: pregnancy went over allowable term, labor stalled (severely, for like 12 hours), labor lasted more that 24 hours, and now I can't even remember the fourth one anymore.

I had a 38 hour all-natural birth with midwives at their birthing clinic. That was what was right for me.

What I can say, that is universal, accepted by the medical community and the alternative community, is that fear slows or stalls (or prevents) natural labor. If you are in a social or physical situation that causes you to fear, labor will hurt more and will not go as well. So, it is very important to really connect with yourself and provide for yourself and for your baby what environment you feel will best cradle you.

For me, that was anywhere except a hospital. For many of my friends, they couldn't imaging birthing outside of the safe (to them) walls of a maternity ward.

Oh, one extremely unpleasant pitocin related factoid that I've only seen published maybe twice--uterine rupture, which is usually cited as a reason mothers should fear VBACs, is actually very nearly 100% correlated with pitocin use, not the VBACs: VBACs without pitocin almost never rupture ... and in non-scar uterine rupture (virgin tissue), pitocin is (last I heard) always implicated. Not that uterine ruptures are common ... but it speaks to the strength of the contractions pitocin causes.

Also, there is another drug to be aware of, that is used some hospitals to induce that is NOT FDA APPROVED FOR THAT USE and has killed multiple mothers the last few years ... as of last Spring I believe it was still in use ... I cannot remember the name ... but if you choose induction, make sure your attendant or you confirms, for sure and certain, that the drug used is not that off-label one. (The movie "Pregnant in America" talked about it, but I can't remember what it's called now. They didn't even know about it when they started the movie but during filming it became a big issue they ran into, interviewing people.) Hopefully your doc/hospital aren't among the users of that drug, but definitely check. A lot of them it sounds like heard about it through the grapevine and maybe don't know it's really dangerous.

I wish I wasn't such a downer on that drug stuff--but those are two pretty important items I don't see written up much.

In good news, I had 9.2, 9, 8.6, and 10 lb babies, all natural no drugs. And only with the 10 lb one did I do that whole "OH MY GOD I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE!!!!" Hollywood thing ;). And that only lasted about ten minutes actually. (They always tell you transition is going to seem impossible but it ends quickly--the fourth baby was the only one that I really hit that wall, and it was probably more because of all my life-stress at the time--their daddy had left me--than his size, actually.)

So--yeah, the key thing is to listen to yourself, trust yourself (including trusting how much information to collect ;) ), and choose a birth environment and people that feel most safe and supportive, for you.

If you sense you need an induction, something is probably wrong and you need one. If you sense you don't, things are probably fine and you probably don't. Your chemistry and the baby's (not to mention your hearts and spirits) are very intertwined ... if you can find the space in this crazy world to listen, you will find the answers you need.

God bless you, your husband, your baby, and your birth :).

ridiculous! My baby was "big" too...9 lbs 6 oz, and I was a 10 lb baby...and i had my baby at home and naturally (after 26 hour labor and 8 hours of pushing...but on my OWN CLOCK), and my mom had me in a hospital and was never even asked to be induced....ridiculous! You CAN DO IT...women have been doing it since the beginning of civilization!

The ultrasound is not a 100% accurate way to determine baby's weight, especially later in the pregnancy. Please see article http://prenatal-health.suite101.com/article.cfm/ultrasoun... ACOG (the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists) has recently come out with the recommendation NOT to induce prior to 39 weeks unless there is a valid medical reason to do so such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc (see this article http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases... ). I don't believe you would fit the criteria for an early induction. I wouldn't go for it, personally. I know it is your first baby & it may be diffcult to question your doctor's decisions. I would just let nature take its course. Your body was designed to give birth & you'll go into labor when you & the baby are ready. Induction before term carries a number of risk including an increased risk for C-section. Even if your baby was bigger than average it doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to give birth vaginally. I just hate it when doctors make a medical event out of what is supposed to be natural. No wonder the C-section rate is soaring in this country. Good luck with your decision!

Hi M.,

Here's my story. :) With my first baby (i have 3) I had a lot of the same things going on that you do right now. I had an ultrasound at 20 weeks and everything looked great. I then had another one at 32 weeks and they told me my baby weighed 6 lbs 3 oz at that point! I was like what??? I have 8 more weeks to go, that's crazy! I hadn't gained hardly any weight didn't have gestational diabetes or anything. They just said "oh you are going to have a big baby." At that 32 week ultrasound they were guessing him to be around 9 lbs at birth. Well he was a week late and ended up weighing 8 lbs 15 oz. Pretty much right on with what they estimated him to be. I did end up with a c-section because he was so big he just wasn't dropping down and couldn't fit trough the pelvic bone. I had all three of my kiddos via c-section and every single one of them was easy. I had a quick recovery time and no problems. Best of luck to you and keep us up to date!

K.

Ultimately it is your choice! Don't let him make the choice for you. I had a 9.12 baby. I still tried to have him naturally, but his head was really big and he was also turned the wrong way so after 34 hrs of labor we tried petocin, then at 40 hrs. a c-section. I have since heard of many women who have succeeded in giving birth to larger babies. So you can wait till the natural contractions and still have a happy, healthy baby even if ultimately you need intervention. It's good you are researching, it's hard to question your doctor, but a big baby is not a necessary reason to induce. Some doctors might just want to schedule for their convenience. This is about you, and not him. I am currently pregnant with my second, due Nov. 1st and do have Gestational Diabetes this time. But I am still trying for a vaginal birth/V-BAC. As long as the vitals are fine during labor, and the baby seems fine, that is what we will do:)

I agree with Judy. There is a way to check if baby's lungs are ready. I have been induced. It wasn't 'difficult' but it was a much more painful experience than my non-induced and natural first childbirth experience.

I would be hesitant about inducing early if there is truly no real need except for a baby measuring large, but still within an average range. There is a definite error rate on ultrasounds, so often the baby measures larger than s/he actually is. Either way, women deliver large healthy babies with not intervention all the time. Also, more research keeps coming out about the importance of allowing the baby to stay in the womb as long as possible...every day truly does count.

I would reccomend getting a second opinion. I had more unltrasounds than I can count due to complications during my pregnancy, and on every one baby measured large...espcially toward the end, but the Drs. just kept an eye on him and never mentioned an induction. One time I even asked about it because I really didn't want a c-section but the Dr said she felt no need to discuss it since the baby was healthy and there was no need to intervene. He decided to arrive on his own 3 weeks early at 7 lbs 3 oz, so he certainly would have been quite large full term, but I still don't think an induction would have been necessary for that reason alone.

Congrats on having such a healthy baby thriving in you and best of luck to you and your family:-)

Ultrasound estimates are off all the time! My good friend was told by her doctor that she was going to have a 10lb baby, but he was barely 7 pounds and this was just a couple of months ago.

Do everything you can to avoid being induced, it makes it much harder, especially for your first. I've had 3 children and had to be induced with the last 2 because I was too far overdue.

Our bodies are amazing! Women give birth to large babies all the time. Don't let yourself get too worried about it though. Just because other family members had large babies doesn't mean you will. Good luck!

Congratulations, you're almost there.

It might be a good idea to get a 2nd opinion. I wish I would have changed doctors, but I didn't.

My sister delived her baby a month late because she was not induced. There were problems with that, too. Are you sure that you did not concieve a month earlier?

Also, talk to your mother-in-law. You said your husband was a big baby. What was her experience like? She might have some ideas about how to handle it since she's been through it before.

Congratualtions! Baby is almost here. Relax in knowing that there are highly educated professionals there to help you and they want you to deliver a healthy baby. Don't hesitate in getting a 2nd opinion if you feel it would make you feel better.

If you do decide to be induced, don't worry. I was induced and my baby is perfectly healthy. She has absolutely no problems. I would recommend the epidural before being induced.

I suggest calling the midwives at Andaluz birthcenter:) They have successfully birthed HUGE babies in so many different situations i.e. breech, home, etc. Women have been having big babies for a LONG time, your grandma probably didn't have the prenatal care available to her that you have now. Besides ultrasounds are not definite. If you induce because the doctor thinks the baby is big you could end up having the baby to early...
Just remember you can do it, your body will know how!!!

i don't know about painful since they would give you and epidural, but you could end up with a c section anyways because your body isn't ready to have the baby yet. Also there is a new concern our that inducing your baby before 39 weeks could be bad for the babies health. By planning your delivery your doctor may just be avoiding an emergency c section (can't say I blame him).

Tough decision. Good luck.

My midwife is 5'2" and delivered a 10.5lb baby naturally. I would just wait and see. Our bodies are amazing and know what to do. :)

Hi M.,
Congratulations on your pregnancy! I was induced with both my children. I had lost a son at birth and so my OB agreed to induce early both my daughters. It was absolutely wonderful. I am not kidding when I say this. It was nice to go into the hospital prepared and ready to have my baby that day. The drugs (usually pitosin) is started and you will not have an immediate reaction. It starts slow and progresses from there. It can be a faster birth, but not more uncomfortable. You can still get a block if you want too. I thoroughly enjoyed both my labors. Having many losses before them, I was very scared, and now consider both my daughter's births to be wonderful, experiences. They were both just 7 lbs. 13 oz. and 21 inches. They would've been about 9 lbs if I took them to term. They are both now way over 100% in height/weight for their age. HUGE! My husband is 6'5", so that explains that. I hope this eases your concern and I truly hope for you to have as wonderful labor as I experienced.

Good Luck!

Hi M.,

I had almost the exact same scenerio as you about 5 months ago and ended up having a scheduled C-section. You can see my thread where I posed the same questions on here. My son was measuring large my entire pregnancy and in the final weeks he was measuring 10+ pounds on the ultrasound. Of course I received a ton of advice telling me to let nature take it's course, etc, and in all honesty I was really upset at the idea of not being able to have a vaginal birth. My doc had us going in for ultrasounds once a week for the last month or so to monitor his size, then at 39 weeks he measured 12 pounds 4 ounces and my mind was made up. Yes, ultrasounds are not totally accurate but if he was measuring that big I wasn't gonna mess around. We told my doc we wanted to go with the scheduled C. My son was born weighing 10 pounds 5 ounces and I am so happy I choose the C because the cord was wrapped twice and his head measured 13cm... so if I would have went with the induction, it would have ended in a C after possibly many hours of labor. Keep in mind that you are more likely to end with a C if you are induced then if you go into labor naturally. All that matters in the end is a safe arrival for your bundle and a safe delivery for you.

PS: Big babies rock! Mine is almost four months now and has slept through the night since he was like 2 weeks. He is VERY happy and healthy (not fat, just big) and because he is so well fed and sleeps so good he is hardly ever fussy.

I was induced with both of my boys, at 42 weeks. The meds make the contractions stronger and very close together. It is hard if you do not have some pain killers because you have no recovery time in between contractions. On the good side, labor is short. I had both my boys in about 4 hours.

But I would see no reason to induce just because the baby is big. Induction actually causes an increased chance of tearing since the body is forced faster then is natural. I had stage 3/4 tearing and still do not have full feeling down there. If the body is allowed to do what it does naturally, then I have heard of woman having babies as big as 11 and 12 pounds without any tearing.

I had no choice, I was over due and the placentas could not support my little guys, but I wish I could have had a more natural experience. You will do what is right for you.

I had two ten pound babies. Ten pound babies run in my family. We women are built to grow and produce them. My first was 4 hrs and the second 2. No meds. They came too fast. I was made to deliver babies.

But the real person you need to ask is your mother, because it is your pelvis and how it built that will make or break the delivery. That comes from your mother's side. If she has regular to small babies I would go for induction. Giving birth is a right of women's passage that you should not miss if you can.

Of COURSE you are extra excited!! -- what a great experience. The only suggestion I have is to be sure you ask you doctor to test to be sure the baby's lungs are mature ( my son -- now 33 --- was born at 9lb, 5 oz -- so plenty big- and was taken by C-section at 37 weeks because he was so big- but his lungs were immature and he was really in danger. There is a test they can do of the amniotic fluid -- I think that's right---that will tell if the baby's lungs are ready- that's really as important as the baby's size-- when you ask your doctor to check that - they will almost certainly say '' well, of course we will-''' but it's always a good idea to check.

Many blessings,
J.
aka- Old Mom

So this is just my opinion...

Once you interfere with the natural progression of labor it can lead to c section anyway. This is because the hormone communication between you and your baby are slowed, increasing the time of labor and if you labor too long... they will c section anyway.

I am 26 weeks pregnant and I have been researching natural child birth for well... 21 weeks. A good movie to rent is called orgasmic birth. You can find it through net flix. It sounds a little weird and it does have a different view of childbirth but, it explains a lot about pitocin and other drugs given throughout the laboring process. It will be worth your time!

Good luck and God bless!

My freind had the same problem with her baby. He was really big and the doctor thought she would be okay to deliver naturally. The day she went into labor she had to go into emergency c-section because he was to big to fit through the birth canal. It is okay to get a second opinion but just be prepared that you may need one if it is truly a big baby.

I would say just wait and see. If he is too big probably you will end up with C section anyway, so just let your baby grow up, so it will be ready for that. I would get second and third opinion too. I'm one of this moms that I'm sorry I fully trusted mine. Good luck!

The birth process is so individual thus making it hard for me to write this but I really, really urge you not to be induced. It is an incredibly painful process that ends up in cesarean births often. My induced labor lasted 3 days before I was so worn out and distraught that I begged for a c-section. Everything ended fine, w a healthy baby but it was a terrible and long 3 days of fighting nature. Babies don't come out until they are ready. Good luck!

I would not induce unless you are many days over your due date. I have always fought this. They induced with my second child because they thought he was large. Well I ended up having a c-section which I was totally against. My son ended up being 7lbs.14oz. For my next son, I took a more active stance and ended up switching doctors at 38 weeks of my pregnancy because my doctor basically told me I had to have an epidural in case something went wrong since I was trying for a V-Bac. I found a doctor who supported my birth plan. My baby was 9 days late before he admitted me in the hospital and induced. I ended up having naturally a 13lbs.5oz. baby. Everything went fine. Women do deliver large babies, and it's ok.
One more story...my niece was forced to be induced before she was due because they were afraid the baby was large and the shoulders might get stuck. They induced her 2 weeks before she was due, and her baby ended up being 6 lbs. It is what you feel comfortable with. Don't let doctors scare you. You do what feels right for you and your baby. Like someone said before, your body can do amazing things. We just need to be allowed to let them happen!

I hate this! Ultrasound measurements (especially this far along) can be totally off and often are! Even if your baby is "big", it is not a reason to induce! Ask your dr what he means by big. Average sized babies are 8-10lbs! As long as you and baby are healthy and you have a normal shaped pelvis, then you don't need to be induced! Induction will lead to a c-section much faster then waiting on your "big" baby to come on it's own!
I have had 3 babies naturally without being induced..
Feel free to email me with any questions and if I can't answer them, I can find the resources that do..
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