Risk of VBACing BIG baby?

[rachdent]

HI everyone

I had a caeser in 2004 a month early due to pre-eclampsia. My ob tried to induce me but it didn't happen and my DS was in distress. I'm totally cool with having a caeser if it's for a medically necessary reason but am wary that many obs think caeser is the easiest option.

My ob was happy (until recently) for me to try for a VBAC as my scar had healed really well and things were looking good, however at my last appointment she did a quick scan and baby is measuring about three weeks ahead of dates. She said this does not bode well for a 'trial of scar'. She is happy for me to try labour naturally if I go into labour before 38weeks but if not wants to do a caeser then. What do people think about this? IS this because she thinks the chances of rupture are higher witha big bub? I want to do the right thing - whatever that is - but find it's so hard to actually know what that is.

Anyone else been in a similar position?
Cheers

[OM]

I think the decision should be left up to you! I honestly cannot tell you what I think is best for you! Sorry. I know what I would want to do in that situation and that would be to at least wait until 40 weeks. I just don't trust u/s for sizing, they are way off alot of the time!;)

[becca74]

CPD is a really grey area, and I have researched so much literature about this because this was the reason they gave me for my last c/sec. My husband is also worried, he is 6foot3 and sees 5foot4 me and thinks that it is his fault.....even though big babies run in my family, and small ones run in his! I was born 8lbs13ozs....so I figure that must be a good idea of what I am capable of giving birth to....my husband's mother birthed babies that averaged 7lbs.....so go figure :rolleyes:

There are many many stories of vbacing women who were told during their first pregs that bubs was to big, so they ended up with a c/sec, only to go onto have a homebirth with a private midwife, and birth a bigger baby than the one that the OB said wouldnt fit the first time! I take faith in these stories, and have actually met women who have been in this situation - most recently a friend at my Birthrites group gave birth to her biggest baby naturally after 3 c/secs where she'd been told her babys were too big for her....she is 4foot10!

I intend to squat to give birth this time, as this allows the largest possible pelvic opening to allow your baby out.

Here is a great article to give you faith in your body :thumbsup:

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/dozen.asp

[gillianf]

I'm in a similar predicament. My first son was 4.07kg and I had a *kind of* emergency c-section with him due to CPD. I was in labour for 13 hours (couldn't feel a thing!) but a check the next morning showed that he'd actually moved back up the pelvis and couldn't engage.

This time round, the obstetrician is pushing for me to have a VBAC and my old gynae is SO not impressed! He feels that subsequent babies are bigger and that CPD will rear it's ugly head again. His thoughts are that we should monitor this pregnancy, see how big the scan estimates bubs to be and possibly decide by 37 weeks if I should have a c-section.

My hope is that this little guy (it's a boy!) will come early spontaniously, so that I can have a natural birth. I would prefer one, as we've moved here recently from South Africa and have no family to help us out when the new little guy arrives. I'm quite worried about dealing with a 19 month old and a tiny baby, if I should have a c-section!

[OM]

Don't let the Dr's pressure you into doing something you do not want to do! It isn't them being cut open on the operating table it is you. They cannot force you to do anything you do not want to do! ;)

[rachdent]

Hi gals

Just wanted to say thanks for your advice, ideas and support. I'm gonna have a really good read and research between now and my next ob appointment and talk to her about my fears.

I'm still hoping for VBAC and I'm gonna try my best to do what's best.

[Briannabear]

Hey Rach!
My ob has told me a similar thing. He's said that he doesnt want me to have a VBAC if my baby is large. He said it will put too much pressure on my scar. He also would prefer me not to go to 40 weeks for that reason. (I had my DD at 37 weeks so I think he's hoping for the same thing this time!)
Id be interested in hearing any research you find on the topic to give me ammo against the decision if that senario is the case.
Good luck with your VBAC!! :fingerscrossed: :D

[becca74]

Again girls, read the article I linked.....it is by a midwife who specialises in vbac and has been with hundreds of women who have been frightened by CPD.....

Your pelvis is an amazing thing......all those aches and pains in it during pregnancy are it loosening up so it will swing open wide :thumbsup:

[becca74]

Another great article by another midwife who talks about the wonders of the female pelvis ;) :

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/pelvis.asp

[Supermum]

There are many many stories of vbacing women who were told during their first pregs that bubs was to big, so they ended up with a c/sec, only to go onto have a homebirth with a private midwife, and birth a bigger baby than the one that the OB said wouldnt fit the first time! I take faith in these stories, and have actually met women who have been in this situation - most recently a friend at my Birthrites group gave birth to her biggest baby naturally after 3 c/secs where she'd been told her babys were too big for her....she is 4foot10!
I intend to squat to give birth this time, as this allows the largest possible pelvic opening to allow your baby out.


Here here! Have been doing quite alot of research on the subject myself. Your body will accommodate a bigger baby and your vagina CAN birth it. Besides which, the medical profession are NOTORIOUSLY ineffective at predicting the size of your baby accurately. Sometimes they get it right - I tend to think this is purely because of the law of averages. And squatting is a fabulous way to birth - facilitates the opening and stretching of everything that should. You are also far less likely to tear if you squat.

[Tracie]

I heard or read somewhere that "your body makes babies which are just the right size for you". :thumbsup: Makes sense because true CPD is very rare.

I hope that you lovely ladies do get the chance to have the VBAC that you want.
There is no underestimating the power, strength and confidence you gain from birthing your baby, your way.

Having a successful VBAC can be very much dependant on the care providers you choose - it is VITAL to find someone who will support you to the ends of the earth. If your current OB is already talking about your VBAC like it is an "iffy" thing then I would be questioning how they really feel about VBAC. (One of the Lamaze International Philosophies is that "Women's confidence and ability to give birth is either enhanced or diminished by the care provider and place of birth")

If your gut feeling is that they will pressure you into a c-section again, CHANGE!
It is a difficult thing to do, especially if you already have a nice rapport with your OB (I did it at 37 weeks :eek: ) but you only get one crack at birthing this baby and it is worth the effort to find someone who has the right birth philosophy for what you are trying to achieve. If you are not keen to change OB then consider hiring a Midwife or Doula to support you - having someone there with you for the entire labour can be SOOOO helpful.....just one suggestion to change positions can make all the difference. (Sadly, in most hospitals, the poor midwives are so run off their feet that it is difficult for them to spend any length of time with you and for that reason it is hard for them to really tune into how you are going)

Wishing you all the best!


"Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale,
and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth." - Virginia DiOrio

[Crazyfamily]

Hi,
I am no medical expert but I can tell you that my first child was born by emergency c/s and my second child was born 20 months later with no complications at all and she was 9 pound 6 oz. Not a bad size considering I am only 5 ft 1. Just thought I would let you know that every doctor and midwife I have discussed this with has told me they have never seen a scar rupture. I know it can happen but it is extremely rare.