95th centile
I'm 30 weeks with my first and was sent for a growth scan today because my bump measured up big. Turns out baby girl is, according to the scan, 95th centile, particularly based on head measurements. It's not overly surprising and both me and my husband were large babies. I've been sent for a second GTT but as my first just under two weeks ago was completely fine, it seems unlikely to me. I'll have another scan at 35 weeks.
What I'm wonder is, I would really like to avoid a c section. I would much prefer a vaginal birth as it's what I've always imagined. Obviously if I have to, I have to, but out of interest, has anyone else had a baby measure up big and been able to avoid a c section?
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My first was 95th also, I had a emergency section as it was a failed induction but when booking my induction my midwife did explain to me there was a possibility she could get stuck and need to be pushed back in so I could be taken for a section 😅
This might help a bit - the guidance on macrosomnia (big babies) in the NHS. https://doclibrary-rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk/DocumentsLibrary/RoyalCornwallHospitalsTrust/Clinical/MidwiferyAndObstetrics/LargeForGestationalAgeSuspectedFetalMacrosomiaClinicalGuideline.pdf
Basically, induction is preferred at 38 weeks or you can choose to go for c-section at 39 or when labour starts if it starts earlier. As you'll see from the guidance, you should be talked through the risks and offered the choice between both options with weight given to your preference for vaginal birth experience.
As far as having a vaginal birth go well, there's actually not much you can do to influence it either way. Most comes down to genetics, age, muscle tone and positioning in the moment. The traditional tips can help - raspberry leaf tea, stretching, keeping active and exercising regularly up to the birth. It's not impossible at all and mums who were big babies seem to be better at giving birth to big babies, so you have that in your favour!
I’m also being told baby is measuring big (GTT negative). I don’t plan to test again for GD. My son was also larger. My midwife told me there’s no evidence to treat big babies differently and that they can be birthed just fine. Remember you can decline further growth scans and GTT tests if you want to. Also press them for WHY they say you have to have induction or c section and what their evidence is. I know plenty of people who birthed big babies so I don’t see the issue
Oh and remember the size estimates are estimates only - might not be a large baby at all
Midwife was very reassuring today. Likely I'll be induced early - fine by me, I'm done being pregnant! And there is still a chance that she's had a growth spurt and will measure up smaller on the next scan. Let's hope so 🤞
all sounds good 👌 also induction may be the right choice for you (I know many who found it positive choice) but i always think hospital should balance advice to induce with a discussion about risks that come with it too, so you can try to manage those and understand what you’re balancing. Just mentioning in case they haven’t had that convo with you yet x
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