Comments | pregnant: Big baby, no VBAC?

pumpkindoodles in pregnant

Big baby, no VBAC?

May 26, 2011 02:14

Well, after 39 weeks of pregnancy and several doctors supporting my decision to try for a VBAC, I suddenly find myself subject to the scare tactics and pressure into a repeat c-section. I had an ultrasound today and baby girl is estimated to be 9 pounds, 15 ounces (with a 23 ounce margin of error). So, that means I could have an 8 1/2 pound baby ( Read more... )

vbac, size of the baby

Comments 26

mothermelete May 26 2011, 06:58:03 UTC

I was a VBAC baby myself, at 10lbs even. It's not the size of the baby necessarily, but entirely the positions of mom and baby. Two years after me, my mom had another VBAC baby - 10lbs 10oz! She was borderline GD, and that didn't stop her, so if she can do it, you can totally do it!

I'm planning a VBAC this August, and frankly, I won't take no for an answer when it comes to at least attempting. The fewer interventions you agree to, the less likely your chance of a repeat c-section, so that part is in your hands at least. I also plan to get a hypnobabies CD - the one about VBAC - to encourage myself and keep myself positive about the whole thing. I never experienced labor with my (breech) son, so that's one of my biggest fears is finding a way to cope with whatever sensations go with it. You're already ahead of me there. Also, check out spinningbabies.com and see if you can't figure out position. It's possible you may be able to do something about it before it comes time to deliver!

pumpkindoodles May 26 2011, 11:43:19 UTC

Thanks for the advice & good luck with your VBAC!

jewelled May 26 2011, 14:38:46 UTC

I agree with mothermelete! You CAN do it :) I genuinely believe your body would not create something you physically could not deliver naturally! I think it definitely has a lot to do with your positions and relaxation levels during your labour :) Don't let anyone dictate to you what you should be doing in that regard, okay? Be strong! If you want to lean over a bed, or bounce on a ball, or stick one damn leg in the air, you do it! Squatting, or on hand-and-knees is a very natural, ancient way of giving birth also :) ♥ GO MAMA!!!

fleckerbug May 26 2011, 07:08:12 UTC

Can you tell us more about you first delivery? Most difficulty in pushing babies out is due to bad positioning during labor. You'd have the best chance of a VBAC if you don't have an epidural and if you're able to get up and walk around, squat, get on hands and knees. Squatting opens the pelvic outlet up to 30% more. Also, when you labor on your back, you're going against gravity.

Generally, bigger babies are just fatter babies and fat squishes, so size shouldn't really matter. Head circumference is more of an issue.

pumpkindoodles May 26 2011, 11:38:12 UTC

Yes, I agree... I really do feel that my first delivery ended up in a c-section because my son was posterior, and I was stuck in bed on my back with an epidural. The pitocin was evil. That's why this time I have been completely against induction and am really hoping to be able to labor at home for as long as possible. I've also been sitting a lot on my exercise ball, which I didn't do with my son, and I've been trying to sit forward as much as possible, vs. reclining back. As of my ultrasound yesterday, the baby was facing my left side, which I know isn't the best, but at least it's not totally posterior. Still holding out hope that I'll go into labor on my own in the next few days! Wish I would have looked on the ultrasound/asked how big her head is.

phamos818 May 26 2011, 07:08:16 UTC

You know, from my understanding it's usually more a question of position, not straight-up size. My guess is that for a VBAC attempt, they're probably not going to want to induce you, and if labor is natural rather than induced your kiddo is more likely to have ended up in a suitable position. So don't give up hope quite yet. Fingers crossed for you!

pumpkindoodles May 26 2011, 11:40:48 UTC

Thanks, avoiding induction is what I'm hoping for. I never went into labor on my own with my son, before being induced for high blood pressure (40w5d), so I'm a little nervous that she'll take her sweet time in getting here as well. But, this time I've had a lot more BH and false labor, so I'm hopeful that something is going on. I just wish she would hurry up!

gen_here May 26 2011, 07:48:15 UTC

I can't speak for VBAC, as my three were vaginal births. But I can speak for big babies, and big first vaginal birth babies at that ( ... )

ias May 26 2011, 08:34:35 UTC

Personally, having had a c-section with my first who was also posterior (and had a head circumference in the 95th percentile although he only weighed 7lbs 3oz), I would think the positioning is far more important than the size.

Head circumference is, as fleckerbug said, more of an issue than estimated weight - some babies are long, some are wide and some have big heads and it is the latter which are more problematic than the other two.

Size alone isn't a reason for a c-section.