Growth scan - large baby (38 weeks)

Hi! Went through this a few weeks ago.

Baby went to 99th centile at 36w scan - offered induction or section at 38w

Opted for section - so pleased I did - very smooth experience, really was genuinely lovely. From birth (09:08) to leaving hospital was 28 hours. I'm on pain meds to help with recovery but it genuinely isn't as bad as I expected and my mobility is building already (just woke up after first night home).

Happy with my choices for elective - for me the section was the safer option (and it turned out the scans were correct, she was a chonk at 9lb3)

Yes I have my darling and am currently going through it again. My last baby was 9lb 9 and I birthed her at home in water. It was the best experience ever. However, I have also had a growth scan at 38 weeks (now 39) and they offered me the same thing as you speak of as well as the associated risks o you mention. However, I do have the advantage (according to another home birth consultant) of having birthed a big baby with no issues before so my body is capable of doing it again. She also said about 4 in 10 of these growth scans actually get their predictions correctly so do not worry about it too much. I was adviced that induction for me wasn't necessary at 39 weeks and to see if I go spontaneously. We have another meeting booked in just before 40 weeks to reconvene but as it stands I have rejected induction to give baby a chance to come on their own. My first born was induced due to GD. I had a pessary, a sweep and the contractions were so painful I ended up having an epidural.

It wasn't the best experience and left feeling very traumatised. Surprisingly enough he was the smallest of my children with nothing to even be concerned about weighing 7lb 12. I say initially to go with your instincts and make sure if you do go against inducing that you get them to let you know in detail how they plan to support you going forward. I know it's not an easy decision as I'm currently going throughout it too...its actually horrible but here if you wanna chat more. Xxx

I’m going through this at the minute! Had my 38 week scan yesterday and baby weighs 7.5! I’m having an induction on Tuesday. I’ve read so many scary stories about induction but I’ve also read so many positive ones as well which has made me feel so much better about it. For me I wanted to avoid a c section if I could so opted for the induction, I know it can end up in a section so I’d rather be induced first and see how I progress that way x

Reading this is really interesting as I went for a growth scan yesterday at 38+4 and was told my baby is approx 7lb 8oz. Yet absolutely 0 mention of induction or C-section  xx

I’ve also been going through this since 30 weeks. Baby was on the 99th, 95th and is now on the 62nd but was weighting 7lb 8 at my 38 week growth scan. I am being induced for different reasons but am also quite petite so weight of baby is a concern in the back of my head. Like others have said, go with your gut and what you think is right. I didn’t want to be induced however I’m 2cm dilated and has a membrane sweep yesterday so feel a lot calmer about being induced now as I know my body is naturally trying to go into labour. See how your sweep goes today and then make a decision xx

Our baby is estimated 8lb 8oz after my scan yesterday at 38+5 and 94th centile. I'm tall but slim so that seems massive to me considering me and my husband were 6lb babies 😅 I've been allowed to continue with my pregnancy as normal in the hope I go into labour naturally but had they advised intervention I was going to opt for an induction. I had an induction last time and our little boy was 7lb 14oz at 40+5. It was a really positive experience and to be honest he still looked really small considering the weight of him. From friends and family experiences whilst everyone has struggled with the recovery from a c section, opting for planned rather than an emergency one ends up being a better experience overall.

I think it's due in part to size of mum - I'm 5ft4 so at 36 weeks when she was already 8lb4 they knew she was going to be large if she went to term (dad is 6ft2 and was a 9lb+ baby too)

I had a c-section for my first baby who was estimated to be 98th centile. Fears of shoulder dystocia etc.

He actually came out smaller than predicted though has always had a big head so that might have been hard to push out!

Routine c-sections are usually at 39 weeks so that was all fine. I was happy I took the c-section route and am having another this time too.

Hey my baby boy was measuring big my whole pregnancy I had gestational diabetes and opted to be induced I would chose this 10 times over i have no regrets. I got to 10cm dialated and ended up with an emergency C-section. The recovery from a section has been really hard so I think if you can I would atleast try xx

I have the same mindset as yours. I'll be induced tomorrow at 38 weeks and see how it goes. I'm with GD and moderate preeclampsia. Good luck and God bless us all x

I’m a type1 diabetic so having a bigger baby was always expected for me. Throughout my growth scans he was above the 95th percentile and was advised for him to be delivered before 38 weeks.
3 weeks ago I welcomed my beautiful baby boy into the world via c-section and I don’t regret my choice. I heard a lot of stories regarding induction that put me off. I’d not had the best experiences being pregnant so wanted to make it kinder for myself. I’ve had no post op complications, recovery was quick and pain was minimal and I have the most beautiful baby boy🤍 I think the experience of an elective c-section is nicer than an emergency one tho x

3 days ago I've given birth vaginally to a 4.6kg beautiful girl and unfortunately my birthplan went out the window (no epidural) as I couldn't push enough to get such a big baby out and she was going into distress so they've had to give me an episiotomy and use forceps.
I would consider c section if I were you, I was induced and it wasn't timed really well as the first tablet (pethidine) didn't do much but the second one got my waters broken, 6cm dilated and contractions all in 3 hours so could only get gas for the pain

I was supposed to be induced due to GD, but water broke 37+5 but I had no contractions till midnight 17 hours later, went into the hospital, was not dilated, had a pessary, then a drip to increase contractions. I went from 1cm to 7cm, baby was 9lb when she came out, pushed with just gas and air