Questions & Answers

They are pushing for it because my 2 year old girl was 9lbs 10oz and had a bad dislocated shoulder. They said I'm measuring 7 weeks ahead cause of a lot of amniotic fluid and that the baby is big. I'm going to go get a second opinion from a different clinic though. I don't want to have a csection then have a baby who only weighs 7-8lbs.

Totally understandable. I had an emergency c-section with my last and I only had one other older child 8 to look after and my hubby had time off. Yes your right it would make it extremely difficult for you if you didn't have full time support initially as no driving or living and you really have to take it easy. I found I was heaps better after about a week. I really hope everything works out for you. X

Personally, a c-section would have to be completely medically indicated for me to go that route. We all have our birthing preferences that we don't need to justify and vaginal is mine. There is a line you have to walk when it comes to trusting any given provider's advice. When I was in labor with my dd, they were telling me that, if I hadn't had her by a certain time, they would take me for a c-section. Their only motivation was that it would've been 12 hours since my water broke. I'm not one to cross a bridge until I get there, so I didn't say anything in the moment, but knew I wouldn't agree to a c-section based only on that.

I agree that u/s isn't a great indication of baby's weight, but previous births can be, so it's a big decision to make.

I agree with Amanda, estimations of size can be wildly off. We were told my son was going to be over 9 lbs and the doctors were shocked when he was born only 6.14 at 39 weeks... he may have gained weight if he stayed in another week or two, but he came on his own and was never going to be a 9 lb baby. We were told to expect our daughter to be at least 8 lbs because she was already measuring 6.04 at my 36 week u/s, but she was born 3 weeks later weighing just 6.13. If that is their only reason for pushing a section then you definitely do not have to do it.

Thanks. I know they are doing it for both the baby and I but between my boyfriend and I we have 5 going on 6 kids and he doesn't get that much time off. I'm mainly scared my other two births have been vaginal deliveries so I wNted this one to be one too. I Just wanted to have this baby the same way.

I'm glad to hear you're going to get a second opinion. Weight estimates in utero are SOOO subjective! The fact that your previous pregnancy resulted in a big baby does make the risk that this baby is also big (if not bigger) higher, but that doesn't necessarily mean you MUST have a c-section. If you labored for like 36hrs and baby wouldn't budge or baby started having problems, then fine, go the surgical route, but I'd be so hesitant to listen to them at this stage in the game. They're merely guessing and it's not fair to present their guess as fact.

They called back it is because she's big that they are giving me a csection. I asked to get induced early but they said not until 39 weeks and even then she'll be too big to have vaginally. I'm hoping to go into labor naturally between 37-38 weeks

I wouldn't take their word that she's too big. Their main tool is an ultrasound, which is helpful but not foolproof. With my son, he never dropped and they said it was because he was 10+lbs. I ended up having a cesarean but it turns out he was only a bit over 7lbs. He didn't drop because his cord was wrapped so I'd still have had to have the surgery but they can't force you if you want to try a vaginal birth. It's your body and your baby, not theirs.

Women have huge babies every day, that's not an automatic cause for a c-section. I'd venture to say there's to more to their reasoning than just a big baby, but who knows. I would definitely talk to your provider and tell them in no uncertain terms that you do NOT want a c-section. If they're not willing to at least try and work with you, I'd switch providers.

They're only trying to do what's best for you and the baby. Why are you so against a csection if that's what they advise. Maybe their decision is based on a number of factors from your past history and the current situation of this pregnancy. Also most places will not induce until 39 weeks unless for major medical reasons that they need to get the baby out. It's good that they're going to monitor you weekly I would just discuss everything with them further until your happy. Hopefully as you said you'll go into labour on your own prior before she gets big. Best of luck :-)