Can a baby be too big for your cervix?

[Curly]

Okay...my DD was 4.27kgs and I birthed her naturally, no drugs.

My OB is expecting me to have another big baby this time, probably bigger than DD. This is getting on my nerves a little, because I don't think there is much I can do about it...DH and I make big babies (with big heads)! (DS was 3.83kgs).

I'm not afraid of another vaginal delivery of a big baby because I've done it before. I know all that stuff about how the pelvis opens up etc etc. Or at least I wasn't until...

...I read something the other week in a blog that is preying on my mind. Somebody was posting about how upset she was that she had to have c-section and her baby was 4.5kgs. Somebody else posted that she shouldn't worry, it would have been medically necessary because the cervix will only dilate to 10cms and the baby probably would have torn the cervix and caused internal bleeding.

I can't get it out of my head and I'm almost embarrassed to say that third time round, I'm getting scared! And I'm starting to wonder if I do have a bigger baby than DD will this happen to me? Is this a valid concern or complete rubbish? Can a baby be too big to fit through a cervix?

[BellyBelly]

You should know from your time on BB that your body is perfectly capable of birthing the baby that it creates These two articles will reassure you....

Small Pelvis? Here's The Truth About Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)
Big Baby? Then You Must Read This Article...

[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

[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