"Babies Just Get Bigger..."

[bmcneal]

Ever since I told my mom I am pregnant, all she's been saying is that "Let's hope this baby isn't like DS (10 lb 7 oz). You know they tend to only get bigger. So... you might have to rethink your VBAC idea. This baby could be huge." and things similar. I have no way to know how much bigger DS was than DD would have been if she had been term (She was 5 lb 12 oz, born at 35w5d, so I'm *thinking* she would have been ~10 lb too, if she had gone to term.), but it's bothering me, because both the OBs I've seen (It's a practice of 4, I've seen 2), have said thing to the extent of, "There's a *huge* difference between a 10 lb baby and an 11 lb baby." or "Let's try and keep this baby 'normal' size, your DS was toddler!" and talking about the possible of needing a c-section for a big baby. I'm *not* wanting a RCS (Obviously if it's necessary, that's different.). Mostly I'm just curious as to the truth of this, but also, trying to prepare myself for having to fight for a VBAC, so trying to arm myself with information.

[phathui5]

Are there other providers in your area you could see who would be more supportive of your desire to have a VBAC?

[mom2r]

Well, my mom had three kids: My oldest brother was huge, the second brother medium-sized, and I was tiny. So the theory of subsequent babies being bigger was definitely not true for our family :)

[womenswisdom]

If it helps at all, babies gain about 1/4 to 1/2 pound per week in the last month of pregnancy, so very likely your daughter would NOT have been a 10# baby.

It sounds like they are setting you up for a RCS honestly. How are they going to determine your baby's weight in order to determine if it is "too big" to deliver vaginally? We know that u/s estimates can be off 1-2# in either direction, and I would personally not base the decision to have major surgery on a test with a 20-40% error margin.

What was the reason for your cesarean? I'm assuming something like CPD? Are you doing things to ensure the baby is in an optimal position at this time, like getting chiropractic care, watching your alignment, and reading about positioning techniques for labor (like www.spinningbabies.com)? I have very frequently seen issues with "CPD" or "FTP" from babies who are badly positioned and I know that personally my son, who was 8#2oz was not moving at all after 4 hours of pushing but my daughter, who was 8#2oz came out just fine. The difference was my son was direct posterior and my daughter was able to rotate (probably because I did not have my water artificially broken).

Here is a good inspiration video for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFVkDV45MM.

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by phathui5 

Are there other providers in your area you could see who would be more supportive of your desire to have a VBAC?

There is a second one in the same city as the one I'm going to, but the way their website makes it sound, they have more strict policies than the one I'm going to now. I'm talking to DF about possibly switching to one in a larger city, but it's 30-some miles away. (Shouldn't be too difficult, with DS, we had to go 40+ miles for a VBAC.)

Originally Posted by womenswisdom 

If it helps at all, babies gain about 1/4 to 1/2 pound per week in the last month of pregnancy, so very likely your daughter would NOT have been a 10# baby.
It sounds like they are setting you up for a RCS honestly. How are they going to determine your baby's weight in order to determine if it is "too big" to deliver vaginally? We know that u/s estimates can be off 1-2# in either direction, and I would personally not base the decision to have major surgery on a test with a 20-40% error margin.
What was the reason for your cesarean? I'm assuming something like CPD? Are you doing things to ensure the baby is in an optimal position at this time, like getting chiropractic care, watching your alignment, and reading about positioning techniques for labor (like www.spinningbabies.com)? I have very frequently seen issues with "CPD" or "FTP" from babies who are badly positioned and I know that personally my son, who was 8#2oz was not moving at all after 4 hours of pushing but my daughter, who was 8#2oz came out just fine. The difference was my son was direct posterior and my daughter was able to rotate (probably because I did not have my water artificially broken).
Here is a good inspiration video for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFVkDV45MM.

I was wondering that, too, how would/could they tell? With DS, it was off by a little over 3#, saying he would be 13+ pounds.

My c-section was because the OB I had claimed I had pre-eclampsia (Which I, DF, the midwife I initially saw with DS, and many other people I've talked to question, because she didn't do any testing, just basing the diagnosis on +1 protein in my urine at one appointment, and a BP of 140/91 at two appointments, and insisted that I had to be admitted for induction that very day. A failed attempt at induction later, they were trying to convince us to consent to c-section, and  insisting that no one wants to be in hospital for Christmas (admitted 12/19/05, attempted induction 12/20 to 12/21), when we said we didn't mind being in hospital, if it meant DD could have more time before she was born, they started saying how she would die if we didn't have c-section immediately. As soon as they started saying that, we just agreed, even though we felt like something wasn't right, because... who would want to refuse c-section if the baby was going to die without it? (And the OB lost her license a few years later, for malpractice, so I feel a little more... correct in my feeling that something might have been off about her or the situation.)

[dayiscoming2006]

If you can find a more vbac friendly doc, do it. I had a 9lb 3 oz baby unassisted. I've read of many women having 10-11 lb babies vaginally. Don't let that be the reason you get a RCS. At least if you attempt the VBAC, you know you did your best. If it ends up turning into a RCS for a good reason, then you know it was needed. HTH

[folkgirl]

I hope you're able to find the support that you need and deserve.

Plenty of people VBAC babies of all shapes and sizes. My c-section was for a 7 lb 10 oz baby, and yes it was assumed that I physically "couldn't" birth her. My OB wanted to do an X-ray to prove my pelvis was small and was furious when I refused.

My second baby was 8 lbs 11 oz. My third? 11 lbs. Both those two were VBACs.

Frankly pushing out the 8 lber was more difficult--it took longer and the recovery was longer, although both of my vaginal recoveries have been pretty breezy.I;

I'll be thinking of you.

[LeighPF]

My first was 9 lb 2 oz, and I pushed him out just fine (well, it really really hurt, but I did it). He was a fair bit bigger than the ultrasound the day before predicted (when the ass OB in the practice made sure to tell me big babies often lead to a C-section, oh and do you want me to induce you today?)

My second was 8 lb even and came out so easily.

[fruitfulmomma]

It was true for me from #1 to #4 and then they started getting smaller. I think #6 may have been one of my smallest if she hadn't of been puffed up from me being on iv fluids all night.

[34me]

I honestly don't have a fourth because they kept baking longer and getting bigger by a pound each and my oldest was 8lbs even (then over 9 and 10.5). You are smart and getting informed. Go with your gut

[olaz-b]

My first was 8lbs13oz, born vaginally with 2nd degree tears, my second was 10lbs14oz, born vaginally with no tears and a much quicker recovery.  The ultrasound predicted a 9lb second baby.  Wrong!  Get the right info and make a decision that feels right to you.

[firespiritmelody]

For me, my girls did get bigger - 8lb5oz, 8lb10oz and 9lb7oz. All vaginal births, all with no tears or repair work needed. I'd really really like this baby to not be bigger then his sisters, but we'll see. I'm not worried about it. I've known several women who delivered 10 & 11 pound babies naturally at home with no or minimal tearing. Trust your body and try to find care providers you trust to help you make the best decision FOR YOU!

[etsdtm99]

 while my 2nd was 1lb bigger than my first - he was born 2 weeks later, 41 vs 39 wks, so it doesn't really count and my 3rd was about the size of my 1st born at 40 wks .. so basically all my kids would likely have been the same size..   born at the same time.. this time i have cut way back on sugar in the 3rd trimester and focusing on positioning in hopes of growing a baby my body can more easily handle..  my kids have all been average size (7-8lbs) but still difficult to push out.. 
 

[CountryMommy]

My first was 9lbs8oz at 40w+1day
My second was 9lbs exactly at 40w+4 days

[LittleBirdy]

My first was born at 40w6d and was 8 lbs 2 oz

My second I was really unsure of dates (my periods were still irregular from breastfeeding when I got pregnant).  He was born at what we think was 38w3d but once he was out the midwives remarked that he looked more like a 40 weeker.  He was 7 lbs 13 oz.
 

[gurl8203]

That saying definitely hasn't been true with my babies. My first was 7/10 born @40 weeks, second was 7/8 born @ 39 weeks, third was 8/2 @ 39 weeks and fourth was 8/0 @ 40.5 weeks.

Your c-section story sounds almost identical to mine. My first was born by c-sec for failed induction and fetal distress. My OB told me I had pre-e and that the baby and I would die unless we went to the hospital immediately for an induction. I had only a small amount of protein and 140/90 bp as well. I am pretty sure she did it because she was going on vacation the next day, which I found out later. She also told me that it would be better for me if I "just had c-sections from now on." I've gone on to have 3 homebirth VBACs since then. I definitely agree you should find a provider who is more VBAC friendly if you can!

[jldumm]

my third baby was the smallest... just her size she has remained on the more petite side and just now hit 20 lbs at 19 mo.
 

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Mine got smaller.   If it helps, maybe start a thread about large babies an vaginal birth and/or VBAC. I'm sure there are lots of 'em. Good luck, mama!

[JayGee]

Mine also got smaller. I had a c-sec with my first baby under almost identical circumstances to you (possible pre-e, failed induction). Second baby was smaller at 8 lbs. 4 oz. and a successful VBAC. Third baby was smaller again (7 lbs. 14 oz) and a successful HBAC! All three were delivered after their estimated due dates. Good luck to you Mama!

[emily11megan]

My second child was 1/2 lb smaller than my first. 

And, more importantly, the baby's head is the "big" part, and they are very close to the same size in 7lb and 10lb babies. 

A good friend of mine had an ELEVEN pound baby at home perfectly fine.  Then her next baby, 2 years later (both boys) was 9lb.  Also born at home perfectly fine.  She has had 6 babies, and her first was a c-section.  All other five were born vaginally and naturally.  Get some people around you that support your decision and trust your body.  You can do it mama!