Big baby, no VBAC?

[pumpkindoodles]

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

Comments

[gen_here]

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.

My first was 9 lbs 3 oz - he took 3.5 hours to push out because he was slightly off kilter. I had a great doctor (family practitioner) who helped me get into different positions to get him more centered. He was born at 41w2d.

My second was "only" 8 lbs 8 ounces - she was 11:57 from first contraction to birth, and only 9 minutes of that was pushing (3 pushes). She was born at 40w3d.

When my water broke with #3 at 39w1d, and having been very sick (viral) for a lot of the pregnancy, I was expecting a smaller baby. After 2 days with irregular contractions, transition patterns without the progress, I transferred to the hospital for pitocin and pain relief. My "smaller" baby ended up being 9 lbs 12 ounces - just over a half pound bigger than her brother. But once I finished dilating, she was also out in 3 pushes. She was born at 39w3d. She had a large head (14.5 inches) that wasn't settling in right on the cervix to finish dilation - that was our biggest reason for needing some assistance.

Like others have said, the babies position is everything. If the baby is big because of extra chub, fat squishes! But if the baby's head is crooked or s/he's trying to come out on an angle, it won't matter if s/he's 6 pounds or 11 pounds.