Need To Hear Some Positive 'Big Baby' Birth Stories...
Hi all,
I'm just at the 30 week mark with bubs # 2 and am starting to worry about birthing another large bub.
DD was 9lb 120z with a 37.5cm head circumference. Birth was 2hrs 50 and was a positive experience, apart from the stitching up of the 3rd degree tearing.
This one is apparently a boy and I have already put on 16kg's, so I'm a bit worried he's going to be around the 10lb or more mark. Ob has suggested perenial massage, which I'm not too keen on and a different labour position - I was leaning over a bean bag with DD.
I'm not a small person at 6ft tall and seem to have child bearing hips. I guess I'm worried about the tearing or possible episiotomy the most.
DS was 10lb 4oz, 55cm long and 38cm head circumference. He wasnt a chubby bub though, was long and lean.
I only had a first degree tear with him though and that happened right at the end, when his shoulders came out.
The amount of weight you put on id really not relevant to how big your baby will be, but given you're not exactly tiny and you DD was a nice weight, I can see why you'd think you'll have a similar sized baby.
The perineal massage your dr suggested is actually supposed to be pretty good i am thinking of trying it this time to see if I can get away with no tearing.
Also the more upright your birthing position the more room you have and more gravity assistance so that can help reduce/avoid tearing as well.
I have heard that tearing is less comon for subsequent births too, so maybe see if you can find some research, but from what I read (I'll try to tack it down as it was good, lots of data) the likliehood of tearing was reduced.
mine was on my back unfortunatley. After a really active labour i ended up with leg cramps, and a midwife who didnt think to remind me I wanted to birth in any position other than the one I was in. I reckon I could have done a bean bag easily.
My midwife reckons if you are on your side left is better than right, not sure why.
Perineal massage is really worthwhile doing, but you have to start it within a reasonable time frame (around 34 weeks) and make a commitment to do it religiously, every day. It can't work if you only do it once or twice a week
Birthing positions are also important, upright positions generally result in less tearing. Also get a hold of a copy of the Pink Kit. It has loads of information on birthing positions and avoiding tearing.
The biggest deciding factor in whether or not you will end up with an episiotomy is, believe or not, nothing to do with the size of your baby. It's the practices of your OB. Some OB's have ridiculously high epi rates and all the peri massage and active labour in the world probably won't protect you if yours is one of them. But since yours is recommending peri massage etc that is a good sign that he/she isn't too "snip" happy
I was wondering about the snip happy thing! This is my first time private and know of a few people who have been private and had episiotomies.
Yes, she seems pretty good and has also mentioned active labour and knowing my history, has only mentioned c-section as an option that is there (at one of my first visits, but not since) but otherwise encourages natural labour and knows that's what I would like. Fingers crossed all goes well.
Thans also for the advice on perenial massage. I think I will at least try it.
Oooh, the Big Baby site looks good!! I had trouble with BF too and there's a topic on that as well! Thanks so much
My labour was induced (again something we want to try to avoid this time) but active labour was about 6.5 hours, lots of pushing with DS' boof head though.
The pain in my legs from the cramping outstripped the contractions, but was just beaten by the pushing pain.
I ended up having gas though, which was amazing for me.
My last two were a good size, DD2 was 9lb 8.5ozs and 57cm (only a small head at 34cm) and DS2 was 10lb1ozs, 59cm and 37cm head. I actually didn't tear with him, only a small graze that didn't need stitching, so after having 1 epi and 2 tears it was so nice not to have stitches. I was on my back for both of them, but semi reclined. Both were also posterior babies and I did have some mild shoulder dystocia with both of them, but they were overall great births. Gravity is so important to help baby move down, so keep upright as much as you can. You've already had one decent sized bub with minimal trouble so I think you're more than capable of doing it again. You can't let the *fear* of a big baby crowd your thoughts - so much of it is mind over matter. If you had absolutely no idea of the possible size of your baby then you would go into your birth with a clear mind and just go about the business of giving birth, but once you let thoughts of a big baby in, then you really need to push them aside. Giving birth to a big baby is no different to giving birth to a small one.
hun I had an 11pound boy, 55cm long, 39cm head.
I had tearing, and lots of blood loss, but it wasn't so bad. I would say my first who was 8lbs 4oz, 53cm and 37cm head was worse!
I didn't put any weight one, only 6kg which when I took the 5kg baby out plus placenta and fluid, was nothing. He was still very big, no reason for it, just big. My 2nd was 9lbs 5oz so it was a big jump to 11.
You will be fine
I put on 30kgs whilst being pregnant. My baby boy was 9lb 13oz. Active labour was 11hrs. I gave birth to him standing up with my right foot perched up on the bed. No idea how women give birth lying down, it's just insane. I got a 3rd degree tear but that was only after he had to be rotated and pulled out a little because he was around the wrong way and had his hand up around his head. All in all I had a great 1st birth experience. Try not to worry too much as it will bring anxiety and heed the birthing process. Just accept that really when it comes down to it you have to let nature take its course and what happens will happen. You have to take every second as it comes. You will be fine. Women are very strong and we can handle just about anything!!!
Need To Hear Some Positive 'Big Baby' Birth Stories...
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks