Did you vaginally birth a "large" baby? - Page 6

[rockergirrl]

DS#1 was 7 pounds 13 ounces - pushed for 5 hours
DS#2 was 9 pounds 4 ounces - pushed for 1 1/2

[ZanZansMommy]

DS was 9lbs & I'm very small person (5 ft 100 lbs)His birth was a million times easier than DD'swho was 8 1/2 lbs.

[babycarrier]

Naturally birthed a 10.1oz boy. My first was 9.3oz

[roamingfamily]

Originally Posted by etsba

I believe women grow the right size baby for their bodies.
I birthed our third who was 9lb 5 .

I'm a bit sensitive to this line of thinking. I pretty much thought that, too. while I opted for a hospital birth, I did all the Yoga, the research, the preparing, etc for a natural birth. My daughter, 9 lbs, 5 oz, and I experienced an EIGHT minute shoulder dystocia. A "true" shoulder dystocia. My own sister was my nurse and she is straight with me (her personal philosophy is that natural is better...give baby time.). She told me that there was nothing that could have prevented what happened EXCEPT a differently built baby. We nearly lost my daughter, the staff in the room (and a Code Blue brings lots of staff) expected her to die in the birth canal. I saw one of those Baby Story shows about a four minute dystocia. They were talking about how the baby may have severe brain damage, etc... I mentioned to my mom and sister that I didn't understand, that no one ever mentioned that to me and my dystocia was much longer. They looked dumbstruck. Apparently no one mentioned any of that because they were amazed that she was alive. My second child, 10 lbs 5 oz, was born by scheduled c section. The 16 months between their births was fraught with periods of feelings of failure and disgust with myself. I was ashamed to be scheduling the c section. I just realize, though, as I type this, that I'm over it.

All that said I would never suggest to anyone that they should not birth a suspected large or macrosomic baby vaginally. True dystocias, not just a sticky shoulder or long labor, are quite rare. But, I'm still in the same body and my children were both fathered by my husband. I get as irritated as anyone with first time mothers who are encouraged to have a surgical birth for large babies. Most mamas can have big babies. It just stings a little when I hear that moms grow only babies that they can birth. Sometimes that is not the case.

And, I'll give you my standard joke about the situation "I used to think that I was big boned, turns out, I'm just fat."

[jasper28]

I am about 110 lbs not pregnant and 5'5. My son, my first and only baby, was 9lbs 1 oz. His weight shocked the midwives because they just really didn't suspect he was that big.

No tears or cuts, long labor, shoulder dystocia (but my midwife did a wonderful job handelling it. NICU was called, but he was fine). I only pushed for an hour.

I don't think I would have been able to birth a baby bigger than him when it comes to the shoulders, but he made it out okay. I was 4 days overdue and would hope if I had another child that I would go before my due date. The shoulder dystocia part of my labor really traumatized me. I just remember the fear that he wouldn't live. I don't want to ever go through that again. He was only stuck about two minutes, but it felt like an eternity. I am not sure that I would sign up for a c-section, but I wouldn't want to deliver another 9+ baby vaginally.

Bethany -- Mom to Liam 2/12/05

[mamato3cherubs]

i am about 5'5" to 5'6" and was about 106 before getting pg with my first and about 130 when i got pg with my 3rd.
they were,
6 lbs 8 oz,
7 lbs 15 oz,
9 lbs 5 oz!
In that order.
My largest was the only one born without me being cut, although I did tear a little but not where my scars are, in the front.
I will have to be honest though, my labor and delivery were much longer and harder with the largest one and I could tell it was due to size making it more difficult to get her into position. But it can be done!!
Good luck Mama!!!!

[EmmalinesMom]

My first daughter was 8 pounds 2 ounces, and was a beautiful vaginal birth without any tearing, stitches, etc.

My second daughter was 9 pounds 6 ounces and was birthed vaginally, with no medications (pain or otherwise), and it was the most amazing experience of my life.

[chalynm]

My dd was pretty small, so I don't have any personal experience to offer. But the birth center where I'm planning to deliver #2 had a mama a few weeks ago give birth vaginally in water to an 11 lb baby! I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think she tore either. M/W said she used hands and knees and squating positions most often and delivered on hands and knees. It's so amazing what we women can do when we put our minds to it!

[Momalea]

Hello! OP here! My son was born this week and I wanted to let everyone know that he was (and still is) a big, healthy boy. DS was born:

January 17th
at home
10 pounds 5 oz
22 inches long
14 inch head
14.5 inch chest

apgars of 9 then 10

The labor up until the last hour was pretty "easy" and the last hour was painful and quick beyond belief. But, he is here and healthy and happy and so am I. AND, despite his size, I only had one superficial tear that didn't need a stitch.

My midwives were amazed at his size, but I wasn't surprised at all.

Thanks for all of your wonderful messages the last couple of months!

Momalea

[rdkks]

My first was 8 days "early" and was 8 lbs. 14 oz. My 2nd was 1 day "late," and was 7 lbs. 7 ounces. And I was my mom's first, 9 lbs. 7 ounces, my sister was full term and was 7 lbs 4 ounces. So the next ones aren't always bigger. BUT if they are--you can do it!!!

[Electra375]

Congrats!!!

[Rainbow]

Congrats, mama... my last was 12.8 at home and my midwives were also amazed at her size- though I can say I was as well. lol. Welcome to your big baby.. and GOOD JOB, mama

[2+twins]

Congratulations! Sounds like you did an awesome job!!!

[tinyshoes]

Congratulations!

thank you for the update Momalea and for your impressive homebirth stats.

[JenMidwife]

Wow, Momalea, that is SO interesting that you "knew" you were going to have a 10 pound baby & that's what happened. A woman's intuition is powerful stuff!!! Congratulations!!!

I've really enjoyed reading this thread. I'm pg w/ #1 & my hubby was a 10 pounder & is 6'4". It's interesting listening to his mum talk about the births of him & his older brother. His older bro was "only" 8 lbs, but was forceps & hubby was 10 & just slipped out. His mum's convinced that it had more to do w/ different doctor & different hospital than anything she did.

[JenMidwife]

Originally Posted by roamingfamily

I'm a bit sensitive to this line of thinking. I pretty much thought that, too. while I opted for a hospital birth, I did all the Yoga, the research, the preparing, etc for a natural birth. My daughter, 9 lbs, 5 oz, and I experienced an EIGHT minute shoulder dystocia. A "true" shoulder dystocia. My own sister was my nurse and she is straight with me (her personal philosophy is that natural is better...give baby time.). She told me that there was nothing that could have prevented what happened EXCEPT a differently built baby. We nearly lost my daughter, the staff in the room (and a Code Blue brings lots of staff) expected her to die in the birth canal. I saw one of those Baby Story shows about a four minute dystocia. They were talking about how the baby may have severe brain damage, etc... I mentioned to my mom and sister that I didn't understand, that no one ever mentioned that to me and my dystocia was much longer. They looked dumbstruck. Apparently no one mentioned any of that because they were amazed that she was alive. My second child, 10 lbs 5 oz, was born by scheduled c section. The 16 months between their births was fraught with periods of feelings of failure and disgust with myself. I was ashamed to be scheduling the c section. I just realize, though, as I type this, that I'm over it.

What a scary, traunatic thing for you & your family. Wow. Do you mind me asking what position you were in when you were pushing your daughter out?

Blessings to you.

[KayasMama04]

I had a 8lb 9oz baby and I thought that was big lol...she was easy to get out and only had like a skin tear...

[Bekka]

head size matters

Hi, a friend of mine had her ds about 1 week after my dd. He was way over 8 lbs, and she was 6 lbs. We lay them on the floor side by side, and their bodies were the SAME SIZE. His head was HUGE, and made all the weight! He didn't grow into his head until he was 3 or 4 ....