Need good words/articles for friend...

[GreenRose]

A friend of mine had her 35 week ultrasound last week, and the baby is measuring a little large. Not gestational diabetes large, just large enough for her doctor so start talking c-section..
I don't know anything about this doctor - he could be trying to make his life easier, or he could just be trying to give her all possible info for all possible scenarios. I don't want to judge. But I DO want her to remain confident she can do this without a c-section or early induction! She's very healthy, doing prenatal yoga, etc. but she is very petite, size 0, and has a BIG husband, so she's worried.

I know ultrasounds are not that accurate later on and I know it has no bearing on how big the baby will actually get... or the abilities of her pelvis ..
but if anyone has great words, or articles, I can send her way I would appreciate it! Thanks

[mama_nym]

Not only is ultrasound inaccurate at 35 weeks, it can be off as much as + or - FOUR POUNDS!!! When I was pg with my first I was told after an ultrasound that my baby was 10.5 lbs, 9 days overdue and needed to be induced. He was actually 7lbs 2oz and a little early.

It is VERY unusual for a woman's body to grow a baby bigger than she can birth. I've birthed a 7lbs 2 oz baby up to a 10 lbs 14oz baby and the largest of my babies were the easiest to birth! (7 min of pushing each time with the larger babies, 45 minutes and 18 minutes with my smaller babes.)

My words of advice ... have confidence in your body...have confidence in your baby ... your body will know when baby is ready to be born much more accurately than the doctor will ... and when it comes time, do not push laying on your back - squat, semi-squat, hands and knees, birth on a birth stool ... these are the optimum positions for birthing a baby!

[GreenRose]

Thank you mama_nym! I will share your experience with her .. I hate that her confidence is being lowered by this guy.

[ellymay]

That is insane that a doc would say anything about a c sec! I would be switching docs asap! That is just crazy! WHy would any doc WANT to do a c sec on someone for no medical reason????? That is crazy!

[mama_nym]

Originally Posted by ellymay

That is insane that a doc would say anything about a c sec! I would be switching docs asap! That is just crazy! WHy would any doc WANT to do a c sec on someone for no medical reason????? That is crazy!

If she's 35 weeks, she's due around Dec 20 and the OB could be making sure his schedule is clear around Christmas. I was induced Dec. 22 with my "large/late" baby. :

[flapjack]

One thousand c-sections need to be performed to prevent ONE death by shoulder dystocia. I'll get the links up later tonight or tomorrow.

[ellymay]

Originally Posted by mama_nym

If she's 35 weeks, she's due around Dec 20 and the OB could be making sure his schedule is clear around Christmas. I was induced Dec. 22 with my "large/late" baby. :

Ug if that is what he is doing he is a BAD doc! I could see offering for her to be induced not that she should do that but what the heck!? Surgery why? for what?

[GreenRose]

Originally Posted by flapjack

One thousand c-sections need to be performed to prevent ONE death by shoulder dystocia. I'll get the links up later tonight or tomorrow.

thanks flapjack, that would be great.

i hate to badmouth her doc at this stage.. i know it would probably be worth it to switch but i can sense she really, really doesn't want to consider that option (because she's been very happy with her dr team up until now)
I don't want to force my opinion on her.. just provide some facts and figures and general advice for her consideration.

[flapjack]

Good basic laymans explanation... and the SD page
with references and links. All UK midwives (the radmid articles) are the equivalent of your CNMs, btw- in fact, I believe US CNMs have to do additional training before they can practice over here.

[LoveChild421]

Not only are ultrasounds not accurate late in pregnancy at guessing weight and fetal size, they can be downright ridiculously WRONG!

My friend recently was told that her baby was around 6 pounds and they scheduled a c-section early because of it. The poor baby came out weighing 4 pounds 13 ounces and had to be in NICU because he couldn't maintain his body temperature. I have another friend who was told her baby would be 10 pounds! The baby ended up being 6 pounds 8 oz!!! Can you imagine!?!

I would never let ultrasound make me nervous after seeing this sort of thing happen.

[CalebsMama05]

I had a 9lbs 10oz baby boy, nonpg I'm 5'7" and about 110lbs sopping wet.

[CalebsMama05]

Originally Posted by flapjack

One thousand c-sections need to be performed to prevent ONE death by shoulder dystocia. I'll get the links up later tonight or tomorrow.

not only that but there is NO WAY to predict it...a woman can have this with a smaller baby just as much as with a larger baby...and it is different with every BABY as well as every mother...