Good info on why inducing for "big baby" isn't usually recommended?

[stardogs]

I have an online friend whose OB is pushing to induce at 39 weeks because at 38w5d her son is measuring at 7lbs on ultrasound and she has "small hips". Her daughter was born vaginally and without induction; she was only about 5lbs.

My friend hasn't heard anything about the "big baby" reason for induction being questionable but does feel like her OB is "induction happy" so she's open to good info. The more scientifically sound the better I think, vs. just anecdotal stuff.

Ready? GO! :D

[LiLStar]

-Because you cant tell the size of one's pelvis *inside* by how they look outside.

-If you could, it will open up bigger with those good birth hormones anyway

-ultrasounds can be off. 

-7lbs at just under 39 weeks is NOT BIG 

-With an average weight gain of 1/2lb a week at 40 weeks thats 7.5lbs. at 41 weeks, 8lbs. at 42 weeks, 8.5lbs.. and thats not big either. 

-even if you think thats big, baby heads mold and baby fat squishes

My "small hips" just birthed an 11lber a month ago :)

[cappuccinosmom]

Everything above.

And adding my own:  and also  to what I think of this doctor's advice.  ugh.

[contactmaya]

Determining the weight by ultrasound is notoriously  unreliable. 

And yeah, 7lbs at 39 week is really not that big.

[sharon71]

Here is a good article I found.

http://www.pregnancybirthandbabies.com/Big_baby.htm

[Katie8681]

It does not decrease the incidence of shoulder dystocia or c-section.

[womenswisdom]

ACOG's guidelines specifically recommend against it.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0701/p169.html
Edited by womenswisdom - 12/20/11 at 5:56pm

[Celticqueen]

No scientific evidence, but tell her that I am 5'1, SMALLY TINY BONED, small hips, and I pushed a 9 pound baby out with no tearing. Small-hipped women CAN push normal to big size babies. I really don't understand why so many OB's are fixated on this false idea that we can't. I was happy to prove everyone wrong 

Women with "small hips" have been pushing babies out since the butt crack dawn of time...Does this OB think that the small-hipped women should have all died off in childbirth because they could only push 5 pound babies out? Ok, off my soap box now 

[coldandsleepy]

Ah, I was just reading about this earlier today.  Go to Google Scholar and type in macrosomia induction (http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=macrosomia+induction&hl=en&as_sdt=1%2C5&as_sdtp=on) and you will get a SLEW of studies about induction of babies for suspected macrosomia (being "too big") vs expectant management/spontaneous labor.  The conclusion of more or less all of them is:  inducing for (suspected) big babies doesn't reduce c-sections or incidence of shoulder dystocia.

[BroodyWoodsgal]

The other mamas have already posted good info...so I'll just add my and and also a big plus to YOU for helping this mama not fall prey to an OB who is probably just "induction happy" because he prefers a nice, tidy schedule.

Big baby?? What the HELL are these doctors being taught in med school these days?? How come anything over 8lbs is considered HUGE these days?? My DD was just shy of 8lbs and she was a peanut! My DS was 7lbs on the nose and he was TINYYYY. Like, SO small. I'm so confused by this craziness over size. 7, 8,9 pounds babies....these are really very normal and common sized kids!! I know so many women who have pushed out even bigger babies that it's not even funny! They just squish down into little torpedo shapes no matter HOW big they are!

[stardogs]

Thanks for all the links and info! I forwarded her a few resources and she cancelled the induction!! She said the OB was annoyed but she didn't care because she was doing this for her and her baby, NOT the doc! :D

[BroodyWoodsgal]

Originally Posted by stardogs 

Thanks for all the links and info! I forwarded her a few resources and she cancelled the induction!! She said the OB was annoyed but she didn't care because she was doing this for her and her baby, NOT the doc! :D

AWESOMMMMMEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sharon71]

If it is any encouragement at all I have a friend who vaginally gave birth to her almost 12lb baby without the use of  forceps,vacuum extraction or the need to be cut.

[stardogs]

Another update - she had her son on Christmas eve - 7lbs 6oz iirc. Everyone is doing well and her doc didn't even attend the birth - another doctor who she didn't know but ended up liking better did! :)

[BroodyWoodsgal]

Originally Posted by stardogs 

Another update - she had her son on Christmas eve - 7lbs 6oz iirc. Everyone is doing well and her doc didn't even attend the birth - another doctor who she didn't know but ended up liking better did! :)
 

Oh. My. Gosh....how did she even get that GIANT baby OUT OF HER VAGINA??? That's INSANE....next time, she should just let them induce...that's too big. Actually, she should induce all her babies at 35 weeks from now on, who cares about prematurity...the woman makes babies that are simply too large to fit. She's lucky it didn't get stuck.

Hahahaha, I wish the other doctor HAD been there, so he could feel stupid and have to look this poor woman in the eye after she delivered a peanut. Geez Louise!!

[sahmof2girls]

Originally Posted by stardogs 

Thanks for all the links and info! I forwarded her a few resources and she cancelled the induction!! She said the OB was annoyed but she didn't care because she was doing this for her and her baby, NOT the doc! :D

That's GREAT!!!!  My Aunt, 100 ponds soaking wet, gave birth vaginally to a healthy 10pd3oz. babe.  I don't know why they think 7pds is big.  my last was 8.8 and I thought he was so small, I actually say on the birth video "omg he is so tiny"..lol