Can a baby be too big for your cervix?

[Curly]

LOL I know! But it is messing with my head! Because I started thinking...okay well the pelvis is the skeletal structure, the cervix isn't really part of that...

[Arimeh]

Mate - is your OB KS? She told me when I was going with her about one of her VBAC clients who had an 11 pounder - so I'd be surprised if she suggests you need a section?

[Ginger]

don't forget that your baby will not necessarily be bigger than your previous ones either.
my ds2 was a lot smaller than ds1, even though everyone told me to expect an 11 ponder.

[Curly]

Yeah it's KS. And she's not going on about it by any means, but DD's size has been mentioned in passing every single appointment I've had and I'm only 23 weeks now and certainly not looking like the side of house just yet. She was also most insistent I get a GD test (not that I wouldn't have) because having a previous baby weighing over 4kg is a risk factor.

I don't know if maybe she's trying to prepare me for having a whopper but that's okay, I already was prepared!

I've decided I'm going to hit her up next appointment about it, maybe I'm being overly sensitive! The GD test will have been done by then, which I'm quite sure will be negative.

I've got my first midwife appointment at the hospital on Wednesday so I'll ask them too.

[Pandora]

She was also most insistent I get a GD test (not that I wouldn't have) because having a previous baby weighing over 4kg is a risk factor.

That kind of depends on the baby.
DS1 was 4.64kg, I had a GD test with him and it was negative.
Yes, he was 10lb 4 BUT he has not macrosomic, just a very long baby. If you'd had a large baby that was macrosomic it might be a risk factor, but not just on weight.

ETA: DS2 was 4.62kg, and I idnt have the test, or GD this time either.

[Arimeh]

She was also most insistent I get a GD test (not that I wouldn't have) because having a previous baby weighing over 4kg is a risk factor.

Yeah she was insistent on me getting one too cos DD1 was 3.95kg - so close to 4kg!!

I didn't have it, just make big babies! However - DD2 was 3.9kg - so a little lighter At least she didn't get bigger!! haha

[Trillian]

I have read about some women vaginally birthing brow presentation and deflexed positioned babies - deflex isn't a brow presentation, but their chin isn't tucked into their chest, so the overall head circumference is larger. These women had a second stage that lasted a few hours because that's how long their body needed to be able to dilate that bit further. Also don't forget that a baby's skull isn't a solid piece of bone, it will mould and shape as much as it needs to so it can be born. My first bub had amazing moulding on his head - he looked like a conehead LOL and at birth his hc was only 34.8 but I reckon if they had of measured once the moulding had gone down the following day that his hc would have been a lot larger. Plus the second stage lasted for 1hr20mins and I think that I needed that long to allow his head to mould the way it did. Seriously hun, you will be fine!

[Curly]

Thanks girls...I just needed some sense talked into me! I could feel this fear taking root, IYKWIM.

Arimeh, not worried about KS being pro caesarean...I know someone who was recently in labour for over 40 hours and was totally fed up and told KS to "cut this effing thing out of me" and KS talked her down and she went on to deliver the baby vaginally.

Maybe I am just more accepting of birthing a big baby than the average bear...I'd taken it as a given from the moment I got the BFP (not to mention my excellent BB education)...and I've taken KS' gentle suggestions of me probably having another big baby to mean that I'm going to have some 5kg giant!

[sunshine_sieben]

Hun, your body is amazing! You have succesfully given birth to 2 "large" babies vaginally. Your body has done it's thing twice before. You should trust that it can do it again. I think deep down you know that, but it's always good to get some encouragement.
Yes, it is possible for a baby to be too large. But it is extremely uncommon and often the result of other health problems (ie. GD, rickets) or malposition. If you are worried, it might help looking into OFP (Optimal fetal positioning) to give you and your bub the best chance.
I personally haven't had very large babies. (DD was 3.9kg, DS was 3.34kg) With both I was told they're gonna be small. They weren't. But they weren't whoppers either.
My babies have gotten smaller. Although I gained more weight the second time around. But my grandmother gave birth to 6 babies, all over 5kg, all at home with a midwife).

Try and focus on how well your body has served you the last couple of times. You will be fine.

All the best!
Sasa
xx

[BellyBelly]

Okay well even if your bub is an extra 200-300g - it aint gonna be all on it's head The weight will be evenly dispersed - and if you could see that much extra evenly dispersed on your baby - it wont be that much bigger really. Make the most of your body and pelvis, keep yourself upright and open, off the bed... and really focus on this because that sort of fear in labour can shut you down!

Remember, no-one can accurately guess baby's size - all forms of fetal measurement are inaccurate. Fundal height changes with baby's position, length of the baby, amount of fluid etc... and ultrasound is also inaccurate... but we wouldn't survive as a species if we weren't capable of birthing the babies inside us My babies are getting smaller! 6lb10 down to 5lb15 - and the smallest was a boy too! Can never take anything into account, that baby is designed the way they are because thats what they are meant to be