Induction vs C-section
My baby has consistently been growing on the bigger side (I’m only 4’11 and my partner is 6’3). They haven’t been pushing an induction with me but a C-section instead however I’m really trying to push for natural labor with it being my first.
I’m so overwhelmed with what decision to make as I will be full term in 7 days and have been scared of just waiting past my due date due to higher risks of shoulder dystocia and still birth. Do I opt for a C-section knowing the recovery for this is harder and there’s more health risks to baby afterwards or go for an induction in the hopes that I go into labor? I’ve only heard horror stories about induction so if anyone has any positive stories I would love to hear from you!
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What percentile is he and estimated weight?
My baby was estimated at 10lb 4oz at 37 weeks if it makes you feel a bit better!
Scans often have large margins for error there’s a good chance your baby isn’t as big as they say. Is the whole baby on the 99th centile or just the AC?
Look at the big baby trial. Induction is not indicated for LGA only. Sara Wickham also has great info on big babies.
Your best chance of birthing a big baby vaginally is going into spontaneous labour.
I’ve had two big babies .. remember your body your baby your choice. You absolutely can go against their recommendations.
Shoulder dystocia is actually just as likely with a smaller baby as a bigger one and most are resolved in one manoeuvre. They can also occur in a c-section something they rarely tell you x
It’s always hard to make the right decision as everyone is so different!
Try and think about what would impact you more mentally - trying for a natural labour and worse case scenario it ending up in a long induction, exhaustion, and emergency c section, or going straight to an elective c section and not getting the chance to try for a natural one, but less exhausted, but not what you ideally wanted.
Maybe you could find a medium ground where you try natural but have an internal boundary where if nothing progressed after 12 or 24 hours you change to c section?
Setting yourself up for the best post partum experience from a mental standpoint is just as important as the physical recovery, and exhaustion and tiredness plays such a big part in that. X
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