having vag birth after c-section with big baby!

[maddysmummy]

hi.. i was told by my doctor that would have to have another c-section with my next baby.. with my first baby i was induced at 11 days over and was in labour for 15 hours but they decided to c-section me(NOT IN MY BIRTH PLAN AT ALL ) as my baby was too big to fit out! she was 11pd 3oz ...
the doctor said that they cant take the chance again that the next baby could be the same weight or bigger .. any way my question is has this happened to any one else? that the they had another big baby!!

me 28 dad 25
DD november 06

[christy]

hmmm... unfortunately this is something that a lot of OB's like to say. I was told that my second birth may have to be a c/s due to the size of my first (8lb14oz) because this baby would be bigger at 41 +2 weeks I had a scan which showed my second baby to be 10lb 11oz, luckily I knew how wrong their measurements can be because 2 days later I birthed vaginally my second daughter at 8lb 13oz.... 1 oz lighter than her sister . So definately not as big as yours, but bigger side of normal babies.

BTW it has heaps more to do with why you had a c/s to start with. If the reason given to you was big baby I would ask to read your files & do some research. Read heaps of VBAC books & get prepared. Here is my VBAC birth story from the main site.

[sirhokko]

The choice of how to birth always belongs to you. The Dr can give you advice but not tell you what you can and can't do. There are some great books out there like Marden Wagners silent Knife and Henci Goers thinking woman's guide to childbirth. They can give you some real facts.

Maybe you need to think about a different care provider one who is willing to be more positive and supportive to your needs. You could chat with an Independent midwife or a doula who may be able to support you in your quest for a vaginal birth and give you lots of options.
I know women who have birthed at home with babies over 11 lb it is totally possible.
Good luck.
Lisa Barrett

[Janet]

That's Nancy Wainer's "Silent Knife" grab a copy!! No one can guess the size of a baby, and no woman will grow a baby too big for her to birth. Your body births perfectly but I'd see about getting a different careprovider, hey? Pelvises aren't fixed like fences, they swing open like gates, and babies mold. Babies want to be born and do all they can during labour to join in. More information and support, and just plan a beautiful birth. Kelly has great info about VBAC in her articles! I had surgery the first time, and the second time I birthed my daughter in my study. No worries!

[{sarah}]

I'll get Cailin to pop in when She had a c/s with her daughter & then a VBAC with her son & he was a lot bigger.

[shazza]

im not pregant but the doctors told me that if i decide to have another baby i wont get a choice i will have to have a c section as my last baby was big and i delivered her naturally .they said the same ting there not risking it as the baby might be bigger next time

[Rouge]

Yeah I'd definitely see someone else. I did, and even though I was told I there was no way my baby would come out. And even though he was bigger, 10 oz bigger in fact, I birthed him naturally and with barely a graze.

It can be done...

Goodluck!

*hugs*
Cailin

[Trillian]

Jesabell, that is just ridiculous for them to tell you that. My first was over 9lb and if someone told that to me, I would have had a c/s for an 8.5lb baby! There is no rule that says the next baby will be bigger - it might be smaller or it could well be bigger but to say you need a c/s because it might be? that borders on negligence to me.

The way I see it is there is absolutely nothing you can do about it once the baby it in there - it has to come out regardless of what size it is. You just have to know your body and use effective positioning etc to work with the baby during birth. Good luck

[Morgaine]

Yeah what the others are saying. Its ridiculous, I would change care provider. I've heard too many stories of women who have surgery for a large baby, told they would have to have surgery for subsequent babies only to vbac even larger (and sometimes smaller) babies.

The size of a baby doesnt determine the weight of the next baby. All babies are unique as are all births and labours. Your careprovider should be aware of that, being the birth professional that he is!

[mrmoo]

Really it's up to you how you want to birth. You've got to be 100% one way or the other (always allowing room for unexpected situations) in order to achieve the desired birthing experience you truly want. Too many women are losing their right, their voice, their choice to birth vaginally. You have that power within you. If a VBAC is what you truly want, then gather together as many positive articles, stories and support people as you can and every day focus on them. If you are constantly being told of the negatives then you'll more than likely end up with the birthing experience you don't want. Focus on what you want and only keep that in the forefront of your mind. You only need to read and hear of any of the negative aspects once, you've gained the knowledge now move onto focusing on the birthing experience you want. Good luck.

[bigbird2girls]

First of all well done on having a 11pnd + baby i take my hat off to you!

Here is my story:

My DD was a big baby (10pnd 5) my ob never said to me at all that i would have to have a c/sec if anything he made me feel as if i could naturally deliver a bigger baby.

I am now having bubba 2 due soon. Yippee! He has told me that it is going to be another big baby but once again he has not mentioned a c/sec at all. I am a little worried to be honest as the baby is measuring full term 40wks but i am actually only 36 weeks

I think it is personal choice at the end of the day but you still need to have an open mind as sometimes things don't go to your birth plan. Maybe your doc is telling you this because you had some complication during your first birth in which you don't recall? Maybe ask for some more reasons on why he is suggesting this to you. I know i had a complication after giving birth and went into shock but i can't remember the full details and had to get my Ob to go over it with me.

Maybe you could also say to your doc that you want to go naturally this time round so that he knows how you feel? Maybe get a second opinion as well?

Womens bodies are made to give birth to Big/small babies so i can't see why you should not be able to give birth naturally unless you have a medical condition or the baby is in stress etc.

HTH and good luck with everything i am sure you will be fine

Jen

[shazza]

i agree i delivered a 12 pound 8 baby naturally and i am alive so i dont know wjy i cant do it again but there assured me i will be going early and having a c section which i think is crap when i get pregnannt again it should be my choice

[doulacara]

There is a great article by Gloria Lemay about birthing big babies and that pelvis size doesn't matter which has been posted before:

Article: Pelvises I Have Known and Loved (about 'small pelvises')

HTH
Cara

[BellyBelly]

I've put them on the main site now...

Pelvises I Have Known and Loved
Small Pelvis? The Truth About CPD...

[Cherie]

My first baby was born via c/section weighing 10 lbs 11 oz (although his weight was not the reason for the c/section).

My OB is fully aware that I intend to vaginally birth my next one, and is supportive of that. He did say to me that subsequent babies are often larger, but he was just giving me information, not trying to dissuade me from having a VBAC, and I know that he will be supportive when the time comes.

As others have said, I would suggest chatting with another Dr, because not all OB's will have the same opinion.

[mumofbundlezofjoy]

My vbac with my son was successful; and he was 4625gm ( 10pd 4) so it can be done!!!!

[Eternalbear]

no woman will grow a baby too big for her to birth

Sorry I have to disagree here. I had GD and my body DID grow two babies too big for me to birth. I laboured with my eldest and he could not even engage into my pelvis he was just to big. I was fully dilated and ready to push but he was up to high. He was 4500gms at 39 weeks with a 34cm head. I had to have an emergency C-section with him. My second son I had planned a VBAC but a scan at 36 weeks showed he was 4000gms already so a c-section was scheduled at 37 weeks (pre-eclampsia complications) and he was 4380gms and had a 39cm head.

I admit I am small 158cm with a small bone structure, the dr's have told me that 8lbs is about my limit. I just wanted to point out there are complications that can mean your baby is too big to deliver naturally.
Mel

[Meg01]

Eternalbear, I had a similar instance. I am also 158 cm and ended up with an emergency c-section because my son couldn't engage (he was 3980g) in my pelvis, even though I was fully dilated. I am due to give birth in four weeks and am very apprehensive that my doc won't give me enough time to labour before he decrees a 'ceasar'. he said I'll get approx. 6 hours once I'm in hospital. I've been madly drinking raspberry leaf tea and have started taking Evening Primrose Oil, so that when I do get into labour, things run smoothly. I am dreading recovery from another c-section whilst dealing with a jealous two-year-old!