Big heads and small pelvises!

**RedPanda** · 23-06-2006 16:39

Hi everyone! For those of you who had to have a C/S because of the size of bub, at what point did the doc realise that this was necessary? I only ask because I am due today, and the baby's head has still not fully engaged. The OB says it still has a way to drop, and I'm worried because he says the baby is "biggish".

I can feel such pressure on my pelvis and hips (and a grinding, burning kind of pain). I'm worried that the baby's head can't engage because it's too big! Would the OB have picked this up already if that was the case?

**the_queen** · 23-06-2006 16:48

It is extremely rare that your body would grow a baby too big to fit through your pelvis. Be aware of your position during active labour, open your pelvis up when pushing, and keep upright a lot to let gravity assist in the whole process. The hormone relaxin is released during pregnancy to allow the pelvis to let the baby through.

If baby is on the big side, above say 10pounds, do everything you can to allow labour to come on naturally. Induction will more than likely result in a c-section.
http://www.motherandchildhealth.com/...induction.html

Advantages to Spontaneous Labor

The body prepares for birth by releasing hormones, which loosen tissue and bone in the pelvis to prepare for birth. The production of these hormones increases dramatically just before natural labor begins. Pitocin and other induction agents cannot create this effect. Also, when in labor, it is most helpful to be able to move around freely and to feel that you can cope with the contractions. This type of labor situation is rarely possible with an induction because you are usually confined to bed and monitored. Many women find laboring on their backs in bed increases the pain they experience. Also, in this situation you do not have gravity working with you.

**mich71** · 24-06-2006 10:08

dont wont to scare you i think you may lol i do now but cobins nose got stuck when i was having him look a lot of gls have big babys and do have them naturaly but if it comes down to your health or the babys you just do what has to be done to have that little bundle in your arms good luck sweety

**PhAnToM** · 24-06-2006 10:22

Originally Posted by the_queen

It is extremely rare that your body would grow a baby too big to fit through your pelvis.

hmmm... actually when i went to my antenatal classes for first baby, we were told if you want an idea about what your baby's head size will be like, take a look at your partner's head size at birth. Apparently the baby takes after the father as far as the size of the head goes.

Since I didn't pick my DH based on his head circum at birth, i think there is always a chance that your baby maybe bigger than you can expel naturally. (a was the case for both of my children.)

I wouldn't dismiss a cesar. Nothing wrong with it. If it needs to be done for the health and safety of a mother and baby, then it should be embraced!

**Crazyfamily** · 24-06-2006 15:21

Sometimes babies just dont fit. my friend had a baby and went through the whole labour without any drugs. When it came time to push, she pushed and pushed and pushedetc.....no baby...she needed a c/s and her baby had a 39 cm head. Now that is a large head by any standard with a newborn. she was not expecting a c/s but in the end her baby is healthy and so is she. Her baby in other ways was average size. I also had a 9 p6 oz baby naturally but she had a 34 cm head. I guess what I am saying is not all big babies have big heads and not all average babies have small ones. Just stay positive and know you will do whatever you need to deliver a healthy baby and be proud no matter how it happens.

**reAllytee** · 24-06-2006 18:19

I was this close <-> to a c/s but instead had a lot of damage done to me from the size of bubs head & body ( 38cm head 57cm in length & an ounce off 10lb ) so he was big all over & too big for me.
I had a doctor at 36wks see me because i had to have my anti-d injection & he was worried back then & wanted me to have more tests etc but i trusted in my midwives who thought all was fine.
Dont get me wrong my middies were wonderful but they really had no idea how big Boof really was & there was no hope in hell he was coming out properly.
Dont stress too much your doctor seems to be keeping an eye on it for now so just see how things go not every big baby needs to be born via c/s.

**amandaw** · 24-06-2006 21:14

Originally Posted by Lut

hmmm... actually when i went to my antenatal classes for first baby, we were told if you want an idea about what your baby's head size will be like, take a look at your partner's head size at birth. Apparently the baby takes after the father as far as the size of the head goes.

OMG

DH had a 46cm head at birth!!!!

that there's only some truth there!

**becca74** · 26-06-2006 15:32

read this and relax about the size of your baby's head and the size of your pelvis:

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

Your pelvis will have become really loose from all the 'relaxin' loosening it up - it is like a gate that has been oiled to open really wide. (hence all the aches and pains in your pelvis .... its a good sign that you are gonna swing open very well!)

It is extremely rare that women's pelvis's cannot accomodate a baby (rickets doesnt really exist anymore (I'm sure you get plenty of vitamen d), and the only other true problem could be if you have had any severe breakages to any of your pelvis in the past).....also remember that the bones in your baby's head wont fuse till many months after the birth - the reason being so that it can mould to fit!

You are going to get really wide

**Lallas' Mum** · 26-06-2006 16:33

It only became apparant that my first baby was too big after his head crowned. I stressed to the midwives and Drs leading up to his birth that I thought he was going to be large but no one took much notice. I could feel every inch of his body and my belly so HUGE!!!! A 10lb 8oz, 36cms head circumference later (not too mention the 55cms in length) and it was finally realise that a little extra prenatal wouldn't have gone astray. I tore top and bottom. Bub shoulders got stuck (shoulder distorcia) and the paeds were called in to help manipulate him out and to possibley fracture his collarbone so he would fit!!! I had mulitple stitches (of course) and a blood transfusion due to blood loss. Bub managed to escape fractures and nerve damage.
We both recovered really well despite all the birthing drama. Not wanting to make you panic here, but very little people seem willing to tell you of the risks of giving birth naturally to large babies. I have since had a second son who was born via caesarean. He was 11lb 4oz and had a head circumference of 39cms,so given past history he wouldn't have made it out. My Drs ordered an ultrasound at 37weeks to determine whether he was going to be big like his brother. At that point they estimated he was 10lb 7oz already so the c/s was booked. The birthing experience was actually worse emotionally for me and the recovery was worse also. But the main point was my baby had arrived safely and without the risk of nerve damage and fractures.

My biggest point of advice is though it is possible to give birth to large babies it is risky at times. If you have grave concerns ask for an ultrasound to help to determine bubs size and to check your pelvis size.

Good luck to you and take care.

**reAllytee** · 27-06-2006 18:02

Originally Posted by Lallas' Mum

It only became apparant that my first baby was too big after his head crowned. I stressed to the midwives and Drs leading up to his birth that I thought he was going to be large but no one took much notice. I could feel every inch of his body and my belly so HUGE!!!! A 10lb 8oz, 36cms head circumference later (not too mention the 55cms in length) and it was finally realise that a little extra prenatal wouldn't have gone astray. I tore top and bottom. Bub shoulders got stuck (shoulder distorcia) and the paeds were called in to help manipulate him out and to possibley fracture his collarbone so he would fit!!! I had mulitple stitches (of course) and a blood transfusion due to blood loss. Bub managed to escape fractures and nerve damage.
We both recovered really well despite all the birthing drama. Not wanting to make you panic here, but very little people seem willing to tell you of the risks of giving birth naturally to large babies. I have since had a second son who was born via caesarean. He was 11lb 4oz and had a head circumference of 39cms,so given past history he wouldn't have made it out. My Drs ordered an ultrasound at 37weeks to determine whether he was going to be big like his brother. At that point they estimated he was 10lb 7oz already so the c/s was booked. The birthing experience was actually worse emotionally for me and the recovery was worse also. But the main point was my baby had arrived safely and without the risk of nerve damage and fractures.

My biggest point of advice is though it is possible to give birth to large babies it is risky at times. If you have grave concerns ask for an ultrasound to help to determine bubs size and to check your pelvis size.

Good luck to you and take care.

Wow thats a similar story to mine