Ultrasound today, they are talking induction UPDATE: NOW THEY WANT TO DO A C-SECTION - Page 2

[turtlewomyn]

UPDATE: C-Section Now!

I talked to my midwife this morning and I am in total shock. So, not only are they concerned because the baby is big, she has a large chest circumfrence, and there is too much amniotic fluid. Also, the baby hasn't dropped into my pelvis yet (one of the things they use an indication of a big baby) My midwife told me that she recommends a scheduled c-section. She told me the office would call me back to schedule the c-section. I asked my midwife how often these things are off, and she told me that they can be off by a pound. She said that if I tried to go vaginally, she would not deliver me. I got off the phone and started bawling.
I talked to my doula and a friend who hypnobirthed last year. My friend suggested going in for a consultation with one of the doctors, so I can feel better about this.
The midwife just called, DH talked to her and told her that we want to talk to a doctor. She said to call the office, the one on duty today is notorius for being a c-section pusher, so we are going to go in tomorrow and talk to the doctor who is in then.

I just don't know what to do, this seems totally ridiculous that this perfectly healthy pregnancy has turned into this (I passed my one hour glucose test, could I have had developed gestational diabetes in the meantime?). I am also blaming myself for not eating healthier and eating too much ice cream. I am scared, I feel helpless, I don't know what to do. I want to say no to the c-section, but if something does happen to the baby, I would never forgive myself. If I say yes to a c-section and this baby comes out a normal size, I will be so livid.

[KKmama]

Can they really accurately assess chest circumference via u/s?

I'm a cautious person; I don't like to take chances. But I really feel like what you've been told doesn't make a lot of sense and that they're trying to scare you into this, and that's just not fair.

Can you just take the day to relax, try not to think about it, and meet with the more reasonable dr. tomorrow? And hey--this is not about you doing something wrong. Not at all.

[annakiss]

I see absolutely no reason to have a c/s. My mom, a CNM, says have your baby at home. Your midwife & doc are avoiding liability and it's assinine. She feels that you will be sabotaged if you try to deliver vaginally with these people. Try to transfer if you can to anyone else that will allow you to labor. Otherwise, stay at home as long as possible. Go to the hospital at the last possible moment. Like when the baby's crowning.

[Eman'smom]

Deep breaths, deep cleansing breaths.


Your body knows how to grow and birth a healthy baby, listen to it.

[aprilushka]

A large baby is not a medical indication for a c-section, especially without a trial of labor. That's assuming they even know it's large, which they don't, since ultrasounds in 3rd trimester are plus or minus 2 pounds of the estimate typically. I can't even count how many women have come to ICAN with huge regrets and bitterness having been sectioned for "large" babies that turned out to be 2 or more pounds less than estimate. I would read empowering birth stories of mamas who gave birth to 9lb + babies-- lots of women give birth to 10lb + babies even with no problem, even after they were sectioned for a smaller baby.

BTW, it's pretty unlikely that anything you ate has anything to do with the size.

This practice sounds like poison to me. I would really try hard to find another care provider. Get on every list you can and try to get a good recommendation for your area.

[orangefoot]

From what I have read before, too much fluid is a problem which can cause pre-term delivery and that obviously hasn't happened!

http://www.umm.edu/pregnancy/special...ydramnios.html

I don't know the 'legal' position over where you are but over here in the UK they can make appointments for induction and ceasarian but you are not obliged to show up or sign for consent if you don't want to.

Do all the walking you can, talk your baby down, eat food that you fancy and go to the movies or somewhere else that you won't be going to for a while.

Then
Hide out at home, dance a round all afternoon and keep warm, snuggly and love your belly a bit longer.

[flapjack]

All I'm going to say is, you can do this. A baby who has not yet dropped is a baby who is not yet ready to be born- if they try an induction, you WILL end up with a section, especially with a first.
My firstborn weighed in at 14 lbs, was born vaginally at home with the aid of a good midwife and as near as dammit fell down the toilet He did, admittedly, have a relatively small head (50th centile- for length and weight he was off the scale) Fat is squishy, as has already been pointed out, but IME a long baby will take longer to engage fully in the pelvis- this is based entirely on anecodotal evidence, because as far as I know there's been no studies done BUT the later babies were the long ones.
So, the question is, how stroppy are you prepared to be? Are you going to fight with this midwife, or are you going to go looking for a replacement?
OH- fwiw, I don't believe in the existence of gestational diabetes, at least not in terms of producing large babies (if, otoh, you had any symptoms, that would be different). If some stupid doctor trying to defraud insurance companies by ordering unnecessary tests chooses to think that a GTT is a good idea, let him- there's a reason why most countries with state-funded healthcare don't bother with them (i.e. they're inaccurate.) I have big babies because I have a big bottom and child-bearing hips (i.e. a fat ass), inherited from generations of down-to-earth, baby-birthing, hard-working women who didn't have time for all this namby-pamby nonsense with ultrasounds and medicine because they had lives to lead and jobs to do, unlike dumb quacks. Oh, and I'm only 5 ft 3.
I'm really sorry this is happening to you, but somewhat angry on your behalf.

[flapjack]

Oh, and when your normal sized baby is delivered vaginally (preferably by someone else) find out if you can sue them for breach of contract. Their excuses are pitiful.

[TiredX2]

First, it appears that you actually have a MEDwife instead of a midwife performing your care. I had the first with DD (too bad you can't identify them until it is almost too late).

Secondly, error w/weight on a u/s is not measured by lbs but by percentage of body weight. So saying that u/s is off by 1 lb doesn't even make sense.

Thirdly, my sister had a planned c-section on 9/9 and gave birth to a 7lb 3 ounce, 19", 14" head (no engagement so actually would have been closer to 13" after l&d) baby girl. A full 9 days earlier the baby had been estimated to be at least 10 lbs with close to a 15" head. The baby was breech but the doctor decided to not even try to turn her because she was just too big to turn and probably wouldn't anyway--- since she was SOOO huge and stuffed in there :

Not as extreme (but possibly more damaging) my niece was born by scheduled c-section at 36 weeks. Estimated weight of 7lb 15oz lbs on Friday. On Monday she was born weighing 6lb 12oz. That meant after weight loss they had a 6lb baby on their hands instead of the 8lb one they were expecting.



Personally, I would not schedule a c-section. At the very least, I believe babys should get to come when they are ready--- not when it makes a doctors vacation easier or gives them an easy three day weekend. Labor has many positive effects on the baby I would not easily pass over.

I would also take the time and look into the possible complications and risks of a c-section. You mention not being able to forgive yourself if the baby was actually harmed. Do your homework. Do you really think that *statistically* the baby would be better off w/a planned c-section? Do you think you would be? (at this point you would be almost guaranteed no vaginal births).

Lastly, if ice cream intake determined baby size I would have had 15lb monsters instead of the 7.14 & 8.2 perfectly sized babies I got. During DDs pregnancy I craved pie and ate it at every opportunity I had. I always eat a lot of ice cream (seriously, I have been known to eat two pints of Ben & Jerry's in a single sitting).

Good luck with your decision.

[orangefoot]

And read Pamamidwife's post at the bottom of page 1 here which is about babies 'getting even bigger by next week.'

Darn docs where do they get off? Having a caesarian is the least best option.

[Storm Bride]

I've had one scheduled c-section without labour, and two sections with labour (one "emergency" and one scheduled, but I went into labour the night before). I would never again, under any circumstances (well, obviously if my baby was in serious distress), agree to a section without going into labour first. It was an awful experience for me.

I can't tell you what to do, and the "what if I don't have the section and something happens to my baby?" issue is terrifying. But, the doctors really do use scare tactics. They've got you in a position now where they want you to agree to a scheduled section or induction right up front. They know that once you've agreed, even if only verbally, you're much less likely to back out later or not show up.

Don't let them schedule a section for you until/unless you're sure you're okay with it. I've done it twice now, and I've never regretted anything more in my life!!

Oh - and these reasons sound like bs - my dd was 10lb., 2oz, and her head was, if anything, smaller than average!!

[alegna]

RUN. Seriously. Find a homebirth midwife or go unassisted. These are crazy people. You will end up with a section if you stay with them and it is for no good reason.

-Angela

[ScotiaSky]

I was in your shoes about 18 months ago...41 weeks NST(who are they kidding non stress test is a stress test to me)

I am 4 11 and weigh 100 lbs when not pregnant.
I had a U/S where they determined my son was 9 8 oz at 41 weeks and that there was no way I could ever deliver him vaginally...so recomended a C-section without delay..as well my son was high quite high at this point.
I was also told they are never ever off by more then half a pound...hmm.

They pulled the Shoulder getting stuck routinue which I know no is a bunch of hogwash.

I declined the c-section as there was no reason for it but they scared the crap out of me as a first time Mother..I went straight away to my wonderful midwives who assured me yes they felt baby was bigger then the avg. size baby but I could do it.

Time did run out when my water broke several days later and after a 24 hour wait for labour to start I did have to head to the hospital for an induction
A whole 5 days after the est. of my 9 8oz...he was born vaginally(with a little help from a vaccum but that was due to my not being allowed to labour in the proper position as I had had a epidural) at 8 10oz after 2 and half hours of pushing.

Medically I had no reason to have a C-section so why would I accept one..I am lucky that my induction was sucessful and did not end in one as their were whispers to that effect towards the end..DF said that made me push harder then ever.

They later told me that it was wrong becaus his femur lenght was long so they take all the meaurements and take the weight from a standard model based on that..well I guess I did not fit in with their standard model. :LOL

Good luck..and I hope you are in labour right this minute...

[Artisan]

Again, you've gotten great advice from everyone here. Here's what I would do: Get a new doctor or midwife IMMEDIATELY. As in, this very second. Do not show up for any scheduled induction or cesarean appointments with old providers. Go into labor naturally, call your doula when you need her to come over, and go to the hospital when the baby is about to be born.

Another option would be to find a homebirth midwife who has some sense in her head and have the baby at home.

Do not listen to the "your baby will die" arguments that medical professionals are going to pull. Your baby is more likely to die after having a C-section. YOU are more likely to die after having a C-section.

[ChristaN]

I measured small with dd#1, gained about 18 lbs total and was told that she would be 5-6 lbs. She was born at 42 weeks after a terrible induction weighing 8lbs.1oz. I have to agree with everyone else who said that trying to guess the size of a baby based on measurements and u/s is quite frequently wrong. First babies are also frequently "late." I would never be induced again and certainly would not schedule a c-section based upon their belief that your baby is large. My cousin was told the same thing, went ahead w/ the c-section, and delivered a 6 lb. baby boy. I would have been furious!

With dd#2, I was determined to avoid another induction due to being post-date, so I was all ready with herbal remedies in hand (and a different midwife!). I found Susun Weed's book, The Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year to be very helpful. With dd#2, my water broke, but contractions didn't begin and I wanted to avoid all of the interventions that they were threatening if I didn't start labor w/in a certain time frame of my water breaking, so I tried some of her suggestions for herbal contraction inducers (cohosh, I believe). It worked wonderfully and she was born w/ no interventions at all weighing 8lbs.3ozs.

I would absolutely refuse a c-section without a good trial of labor first. Don't go into the hospital until you are well into labor. If you show up too soon, they will determine that you are taking too long to progress, give you pitocin and then say that it isn't working fast enough and push for the c-section anyway. Labor at home when your body is ready to -- the hospital is only for the end of labor and the delivery IMO (unless you are delivering at home in which case hospitals are totally irrelevant).

[HerthElde]

Something else to keep in mind is that it is often the stress of the pressure put on when "overdue" that can prevent a woman from going in to labour. It puts the body in a "fight or flight" situation, which is definitely something that can stop any mammal from birthing.
I don't know how you can prevent the stress from getting to you, though. It's not like you can say "stress, leave me alone" and it disappears.
I had a friend who was also overdue and threats of induction were looming, even though she was adamantly opposed. She read the info on the birthlove site and it cemented her stance NOT to be induced and actually relaxed her quite a bit. The next day she went into labour. There may or may not be a connection, but it's certainly possible that there was.
I don't know what to say about the threats of C-section. I don't know what I would do in your shoes, because while I tend to follow my instincts, sometimes fear can mask those instincts. I can say that it's not helping your stress to have to worry about it.
I strongly agree with Christa about a trial of labour being important. At the very least, you may want to push for that.

[paquerette]

It's the end of the month. I have heard that the hospital around here with the highest level NICU has a certain quota to fill every month, and if you go in towards the end of the month your baby is more likely to be NICU'd so they can make their $$$$$. Perhaps your hospital has a similar thing with sections. If they don't do a certain number every month, they can't keep the cash flow where they want it. Possible?

[crazy_eights]

Originally Posted by annakiss

I see absolutely no reason to have a c/s. My mom, a CNM, says have your baby at home. Your midwife & doc are avoiding liability and it's assinine. She feels that you will be sabotaged if you try to deliver vaginally with these people. Try to transfer if you can to anyone else that will allow you to labor. Otherwise, stay at home as long as possible. Go to the hospital at the last possible moment. Like when the baby's crowning.

:

My SIL got railroaded into an elective c/sec for her u/s estimated 'macrosomic' 9 lbs.+ baby that turned out to be 6 lbs 12 oz. You see this all the time in L&D, yet the OB's still insist that the u/s can 'only' be off by a pound. At least in Europe they will own up to it being +/- a kilo (2.2 lbs) at term. Bleh.

[dukeswalker]

Perhaps - just to help you see things more clearly you set up an appt. with a midwife - one that is seperate from any Dr.s ASAP - let her examine you - let her talk to you....Ask her questions....You might just feel like swithcing at this late date would be worth it for you and your family - at the very least you will be more informed. She could serve as your 2nd opinion - which you absolutely should get.

C-sections are MAJOR - they are not to be fooled around with. After having had one - I thought with my next 2 - If I ever did have another c-section I would never forgive myself if something happened. to my baby - not the other way around

A cesarean section poses documented medical risks to the mother's health, including infections, hemorrhage, transfusion, injury to other organs, anesthesia complications, psychological complications, and a maternal mortality two to four times greater than that for a vaginal birth

and here:

An elective cesarean section increases the risk to the infant of premature birth and respiratory distress syndrome, both of which are associated with multiple complications, intensive care and burdensome financial costs. Even mature babies, the absences of labor increases the risk of breathing problems and other complications.

(these all came from Childbirth.org)

[starbarrett]

Gosh, I'm so sorry. I know exactly how stressed out you are 'cause I went through this at 36 weeks. I had too much amniotic fluid, baby is big, and he wasn't engaging and my hands-off midwife started mentioning the dreaded c word. After bawling, I flew into action and here is what helped:

The problem with high fluid and a baby that isn't engaged is that they are afraid of baby turning breech in labor. It seems breech these days equals c-section. So two things have to happen-- you have to lower your fluid and make baby engage. Then they'll stop talking c-section. And you may have the time.

Lower fluid level:
* cut all sugar immediately. I think you have the same hunch I had about the gestational diabetes link and the high fluid and big baby syndrome. I passed my test too, but I still think my diet may have gotten me into this mess. I cut sugar out immediately, as well as simple sugars like white flour and white rice. Balance all carbs with protein and healthy oils at each meal and snack. This will lower the glycemic effect of the carbs. you can do this, it's only for a couple weeks.

* drink pregnancy tea-- equal parts alfalfa, oat straw, nettles, and red rasberry leaf. I read of a woman that "cured" her GD by drinking red rasberry leaf consistantly.

I did these two things, and my fluid levels dropped within a week. I was amazed at how fast it worked considering nutritional changes usually take months and years before you see results.

Engage baby:
There's a great site spinningbaby.com that has great exercises for getting baby in the correct birth position. I think they may help for getting baby lower and engaged as well. I personally did it with yoga-- the standing poses with the open legs really did the trick. As does squating.

There's really nothing you can do about the size of the baby (if it really is that big). But if you can lower your fluid and get baby to engage, then your midwife will no longer have a good reason to push you into interventions. You may have to find another midwife, though, if she is unwilling to wait a bit to see if you can change your circumstances. My midwife was completely dumbfounded that I was able to lower my fluid levels. She said she'd never seen it before, and I honestly believe her 'cause I couldn't find anything on it online or even on MDC.

Good-luck, mama. You'll be fine! please keep us updated.