Happily Being Induced

[S.T.B.MRSJ]

SO, we went to the doctor today and he confirmed, I'm not having a baby, I'm having a linebacker!!! HE weighs around 9lbs 13 oz already!!! SO, if he does not make an appearance this week end, I am happily being induced on Monday. Judge me not, please. I am soooo ready and happy, and I think as long as that is the mind set I am going in with, I will be happy overall.

[artemis33]

If you feel good about it, that's really what matters most! :

[CookAMH]

Wish you the best!! I'll be interested to see what his actual weight is.

[sanguine_speed]

This is not judgement but caveat, in case you truly do not know: there is a thread in Birth and Beyond right now about fetal weight estimates with many mamas citing discrepancies of a full pound or two. It's great to have a positive attitude if you do end up with an induction, but know that one's attitude doesn't change higher risk of adverse outcome. Just don't want you to be someone who wishes later on that someone had told her, or one who ends up with an induction gone badly and a baby that was actually only 8 or 9 pounds...

Otherwise, if you know all of this.... happy birthing mama!!!

[S.T.B.MRSJ]

I know about the variance, but it seems all my friends babies weight varied GREATER than what was said. They have told me since day one, he would be a big baby. I'm just glad for this to be over and to hold my baby, regardless of his weight.
My cervix although not dilated more than 1.5 or so, is pretty favorable considering I'm almost completely effaced, so hopefully that helps. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of the pitocin (ugh), but I'm still going to do my best not to have any drugs.

[kittywitty]

Crashing here- those are soooooooo inaccurate. My son's was off by 2 lbs. and the u/s due date was wrong. He was barely 7 lbs. and premature and has neurological delays from being induced with a "big baby" u/s.

So good luck if you decide to go through with it. "Big baby" is actually not a valid medical reason for induction. And inductions are VERY risky.

[Plaid Leopard]

DDC crashing.

Fat is squishy. It's not the weight of the baby that matters so much as the circumference of its head. But even big-headed babies can be born naturally and without tearing.
.

One concern about being induced is that if this baby really is as big as they say, you will need to be able to move and change positions in order to deal with contractions and pushing. Having to experience Pitocin induced contractions, being hooked up to an IV and fetal monitor, and not being able to get into favorable positions can lead to need for (more) pain relief which in turn leads to more interventions.

No judgment, but if your baby doesn't make an appearance this weekend it is because your baby is NOT READY to be born

[CallMeMommy]

Sorry, DDC crashing, but even ACOG doesn't recommend inducing soley for suspected big baby (macrosomia). Aside from gestational diabetes and pelvic deformities, your body won't grow a baby too big to birth. And *you* may be ready, but obviously *he* isn't (I have a friend who's scheduled C-section turned into a 9-pounder in the NICU with respiratory distress). And be aware that inducing automatically bumps your C-section risk from 33% to 50%. Be sure you have *all* the facts before jumping into something like this, not just what your OB has decided to share with you.

[loveneverfails]

Fat may squish, but bone structure doesn't and a seriously too large bone structure can be unsafe. Yeah, I got my daughter's 17 1/2 inch shoulders out without tearing. She, however, was born without a heartbeat and had a full resuscitation on my kitchen floor.

I'll agree that for most cases the "big baby" thing is bogus, but I absolutely hate the "fat squishes" rationale. A baby with a bone structure of a baby 3 months old and a plump baby with an average full term size bone structure are not remotely the same thing even if their birth weight might be the same.

To the OP, I understand being miserable. And I understand the concern about a big baby. I just also want to make sure that you know that pitocin induction increases the risk of shoulder dystocia in babies who are very big as well as post partum hemorrhage, which is more common with very large infants. If you're seriously concerned about the size of the baby and the chances of shoulder dystocia, just from my own experiences and what I've seen with my 10 and 11 lb infants, I would consider going for a c-section instead.

[Heinleinesque]

My sister's ultrasound estimated baby at 6.8lbs, "plenty big" to come out when a minor complication came up that would have put her in bed rest otherwise - but baby was really only 4.4lbs, waaaaaaay too small, and she would have been better off waiting. It's a tough call but I hope things work out favourably for you.

[leavemealone]

Good luck! I wish you the best and look forward to your birth announcement - hopefully this weekend so the induction is avoided.

[S.T.B.MRSJ]

He has been measuring at least one to two weeks ahead the entire time. According to the date I believe I conceived, I would be 40 weeks today, only 9 days different from what the doc says. My doctor is amazing and discussed all options, including WAITING with me, before we came to a final decision. He did not push for induction or anything, he wanted everything to be completely natural. I pushed for it, it was my husband and my decision.
As far as the fat squishing thing, his bones measure almost 42 weeks in size, so he isn't just chunky, he is large.
Coming into this pregnancy, I wanted the whole home birth experience, but after discussing things with DH, we ended up deciding to go the hospital route. And again, this induction is another decision we are happy with.

[*EarthMama*]

Originally Posted by Plaid Leopard

DDC crashing.

Fat is squishy. It's not the weight of the baby that matters so much as the circumference of its head. But even big-headed babies can be born naturally and without tearing.
.

One concern about being induced is that if this baby really is as big as they say, you will need to be able to move and change positions in order to deal with contractions and pushing. Having to experience Pitocin induced contractions, being hooked up to an IV and fetal monitor, and not being able to get into favorable positions can lead to need for (more) pain relief which in turn leads to more interventions.

No judgment, but if your baby doesn't make an appearance this weekend it is because your baby is NOT READY to be born

Yes, that. I do wish you the best whatever you decide to do. And I do encourage you to tune in to your baby and see if perhaps he/she just may nor be ready to make an appearance just yet... either way it is ALL perfect and I wish you an empowering, safe birth.

[crazyeight]

wow....i am facing induction as well but i'm not nearly so at peace with it! i'm finding it really hard to accept that my body isnt going into labor and although i don't LIKE induction i also don't want this to be a large baby and not because i'm afraid i can't birth him but i have so many fears about him growing up so fast already that even having him be a 9 lber makes me sad.

i'm glad you came to terms with it and your the one who decided though!

[Georgetown HB Mom]

Originally Posted by S.T.B.MRSJ

He has been measuring at least one to two weeks ahead the entire time. According to the date I believe I conceived, I would be 40 weeks today, only 9 days different from what the doc says. My doctor is amazing and discussed all options, including WAITING with me, before we came to a final decision. He did not push for induction or anything, he wanted everything to be completely natural. I pushed for it, it was my husband and my decision.
As far as the fat squishing thing, his bones measure almost 42 weeks in size, so he isn't just chunky, he is large.
Coming into this pregnancy, I wanted the whole home birth experience, but after discussing things with DH, we ended up deciding to go the hospital route. And again, this induction is another decision we are happy with.

40 weeks is not a magical date where a buzzer goes off and the baby is done. The magical date is the date the baby picks. The baby triggers labor once its lungs are mature and completely ready. I am a former NICU respiratory therapist and I have seen so many babies that were induced because they thought the baby was too big, mom was tired of waiting, tired of prodromal labor, etc. etc. and so many of those babies end up in the NICU with respiratory distress because duh they were not ready and they were forced out. You don't know exactly the moment conception occurred. You could be off by several days and those days matter to the baby's development. U/S is not reliable at all in determining fetal size. And your body will not grow a baby so large that it can not deliver. I am glad that at this moment you are happy with your decision but I would hate for you to get on the other side of that and be recovering from a c-section from a failed induction with a baby in the NICU being poked and prodded and have major regrets that you did not wait a few extra days and trust your baby and your body enough to trigger labor on their own. As far as I know no one has been pregnant forever.


Good luck,
Lisa

[HappyMommy2]

Good luck mama. I'm not sure if you were looking for support-only ... or are willing to hear other experiences/options/advice...???

Since you posted this on MDC ... even though you SAY you are happy ... perhaps there is some part of you that knows you should not be induced. I imagine a mainstream pregnancy forum would result in a different response!

In my experience, pitocin contractions are unbearable and required several drugs. Pit is the first of many interventions, and you state you wanted to go drug-free. Once they get you on pit, they get you on an epidural, then they get to strap you in bed with a monitor. Then your body can't move to push out the baby uphill, and then they say the baby is in distress and gladly tell you they will swoop in and save the day with a c-section!

I could not have gone drug-free on pit. I was forcefully induced and it ended in C/S and NICU.

My HBAC contractions were completely bearable, drug-free, and just yelling the F-word allowed my to deal with the pain.

It's not too late to change your mind. (If you choose)

[Chamomile Girl]

DDC crashing also...

I am going to reiterate that pitocin contractions are not something you want to deal with. I ended up with a C-section after 30 hours of pain-killer free labor...26 natural and 4 with pitocin. After those last 4 hours I was begging them to get the kid out of me however they could.

In retrospect I realise I had not fully educated myself on the risks of a C-section because I really never believed that I would have one. C-sections suck. I'm not going into details here because I think you probably need support more than fear, but if you are going to take this route at least do a little bit of research on C-sections so that you know what might happen.

On a side note announcing an induction on MDC is akin to throwing raw meat to wolves. No disrespect intended.

Love and strength to you! The last week/s of pregnancy are in some ways harder than everything that comes before. One way or another you will get to hold your sweet baby soon XD

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by loveneverfails

To the OP, I understand being miserable. And I understand the concern about a big baby. I just also want to make sure that you know that pitocin induction increases the risk of shoulder dystocia in babies who are very big as well as post partum hemorrhage, which is more common with very large infants. If you're seriously concerned about the size of the baby and the chances of shoulder dystocia, just from my own experiences and what I've seen with my 10 and 11 lb infants, I would consider going for a c-section instead.

I can't find stats linked to pit induction and shoulder dystocia but seeing how you are usually confined to bed on your back, it makes sense. Movement and hands & knees are the best for prevention and getting over sticky shoulders or shoulder dystocia. Position is more of a concern than size. Average sized babies account for over 50% of shoulder dystocias.

Unless you have a very small pelvis, those weights are not actually risks for shoulder dystocia and NOT a medical reason for an elective c-section.

[loveneverfails]

The way I understand it, the pit can also force harder contractions. Harder contractions can make for a more forced descent, which can leave the pelvis with less time to expand. A less expanded pelvis give less room for a baby to maneuver, and less room for a care provider to do the necessary maneuvers to reduce a shoulder dystocia. Also, pit has a known risk of fetal distress, and the dead last thing you want going into a situation where shoulder dystocia is a greater risk is to have that baby's oxygen already somewhat compromised.

That is why I personally plan home births but would evaluate measurements on ultrasound for a baby with weight suspected to be 10 lbs or more to see how head circumference and abdominal circumference match up. And if the head circumference was significantly smaller than abdominal circumference, I would go for the elective c-section. If the baby size is that big a risk, my personal feeling is that I would feel safer going for the caesarian. A 3 minute dystocia where your baby is born essentially dead really does color your view on things.

I'm going to assume you mean that normal weights aren't a risk for shoulder dystocia, not that true 10 and 11 lb weights are not a viable medical reason for an elective c-section. It's not a clear cut case like a placenta previa, but one where people's individual comfort levels, histories and prudential judgment really do come into play.

Shoulder dystocia and macrosomia are complicated, multifocal issues that really can't be reduced to "OH NOES!! THE APOCALYPTIC LARGE INFANT OF DOOM!!!" or "pfft.. that's fine! Your body wouldn't grow a baby you couldn't give birth to, and babies ALWAYS come when they're ready!" I don't trust ultrasound measurements of fetal weight, because I found a Henci Goer post citing a study where 60% babies referred for ultrasound for suspected macrosomia and identified by ultrasound as macrosomic were found at birth to be under the 4000 gram cut off. That's obscenely inaccurate. But I would trust my own feelings coupled with my midwife's judgment that by palpation an infant was around the 10 lb mark, and that's where *for me* concern about size starts to get really understandable.

To the OP, I hope that everything goes as smoothly as possible and happy babymooning!

[mataji4]

Just ddc crashing to say that 3 years ago I birthed a 10 pound 12 ounce big boy with big bones at home, on his due date. He was so smart, and didn't actually restitute (turn his shoulders) so his shoulders came out crooked and did not catch on my pubic bone. My contractions were never very close together or hard (as sometimes is with larger babies) but it took a long time- 40 hour labor. I think it worked out because nobody was messing with him or trying to get him to come faster or to be in a different position. My body did know how to birth him and it felt like he was an active participant in it all working out. I don't think that "big" babies are something to be afraid of, as long as they aren't artificially grown big due to Diabetes/too much sugar in diet or consuming too many dairy products containing artificial growth hormones. Just my two cents- it's an interesting discussion.
Good luck and blessings to the original poster~~!