[mcmama]

Nicki, you are so right about the traditional hospital environment. They have improved in 20 years, but they still have that nonsense of you being flat on your back instead of working through the labor. Sounds like you had some great experiences.
My second was smaller at 8 lbs 15 oz and he is a much smaller build than his brother- he got a lot smaller because of his frequent bladder infections related to the birth defect with his kidney. I had to really fight to nurse him - they wanted to "offer the bottle just in case" - and I really had to show them wet diapers and say "in case of what?" and tell them what they could do with their smelly formula diapers. He really needed me to nurse him through the three hospitalizations he had in 6 months.
The 10+ pounders for me and Khallaust were our first babies - a big baby is never easy, but I think when it is not your first labor and delivery you are physically and mentally capable of coping with it better. What is so important is to be an ACTIVE participant in pregnancy, labor, and delivery - not someone passive who gets told what she's "allowed" to do.
For me, a c sec was a better alternative than what I had with the first one - but it is never a great alternative for the mom - it's major surgery and you are left witht he scars and the weak muscles.
Tell us more about birthing in the water. Sounds like that is a great way to give birth to a large baby.

[nicki]

Waterbirth is pretty cool - very different sensations. It is absolutely fantastic for pain control during labor. I actually labored in the water at a birth center with my second baby but they had a no water birth rule so I had to make the very painful trip from tub to bed during transition and boy was that rough! Ironically with my third baby, I had to make that same painful trip but it was from cough to tub! Just can't win, I guess!

pushing is sort of weird in the water. It is entirely different. Nothing was as intense at all so transition wasn't as obvious, pushing with a little more intentional, etc. But it was so nice. I would do it that way again in a heartbeat! But no more births for me

[blancay]

Boy am i confused. I am having my 5th baby. The 1st weighed 6lbs15oz,#2 weighed 7lbs13oz, 3rd was 9lbs 6oz and fourth was 8 lbs 6oz and I had them naturally.Now my doctor says that my baby now weighs 9lbs7oz that is of april 17,2006. She also checked my cervix and she said it's not ready. But her concern is that this baby is going to be well over ten pounds, the thing is I am only 4'11" and I dont want this baby getting stuck and having to do a c-section anyway.Anyone have any advice to give me please let me know email me blancay@yahoo.com. I would definately appreciate it. And if you have any remarks about a c-section vs a vaginal birth please let me know.Thank you!

[mcmama]

Is your doctor advising you on any decisions? If you have given birth 4 times, and one of your babies was 9.6, you have an idea of what is involved.
I did not make the decision for the c sec for #2 until the due date had come and gone and there was no way he was to be born naturally. I also knew he had some issues that wouldn't be helped by stress or risk. I have never regretted that decision. You really have to look at all the options presented to you and make the choice. With a c sec you are recovering from major surgery - something to keep in mind - but if there is a real concern with you and your doctor about the baby being really too big then it might work for you. Tiny women do give birth to really big babies, our bodies do amazing things!

[beth]

Originally Posted by mcmama

When my oldest was born 20 years ago, he weighed 10 lbs 2 oz. He was 23 inches long. By my reckoning he was 3 weeks late. I had a lot of non stress tests, and they knew he was big, but not that big. 5 years later, my next baby was estimated for fetal weight. I was trying for a VBAC, but when the due date came and went with what was probably a 9 lb baby I said no way, and had another C section.
I was in labor for a LOONG time with the first one. Having talked with others who have had babies over 9 lbs, I think the experience is definitely unique! I usually shut up when women who are pregnant for the first time ask me about child birth. My experience is not typical, and is downright scary. But that was then. This is now.
What are some of the experiences of others who have had large babies? What do you advise others facing the same possibility?

I gave birth to a nice little 6lb 1oz (and that was enough for me as I'm only small) but she and I shared a room with a 10-pounder, who had the biggest set of lungs on her, I could have committed infanticide (hey, I was sleep deprived!!). She's probably headed for a career as on opera singer, she could really belt out a tune! I noticed the mother was in a great deal of pain, I had to feel sorry for her.

[blancay]

Originally Posted by mcmama

Is your doctor advising you on any decisions? If you have given birth 4 times, and one of your babies was 9.6, you have an idea of what is involved.
I did not make the decision for the c sec for #2 until the due date had come and gone and there was no way he was to be born naturally. I also knew he had some issues that wouldn't be helped by stress or risk. I have never regretted that decision. You really have to look at all the options presented to you and make the choice. With a c sec you are recovering from major surgery - something to keep in mind - but if there is a real concern with you and your doctor about the baby being really too big then it might work for you. Tiny women do give birth to really big babies, our bodies do amazing things!

Well my doctor say that if she feels that the baby feels over 10lbs she will try to call the doctor on call and see IF they are willing todo a c-section! But until then she's hoping that I go into labor. All in all I think that I jusyt have to pray over all this. was just a little nervous cause I never had a c-section before.

[Khallaust]

In response to Blancay. I had a suprise 10pound 12oz baby back in March 05 and delivered vaginally. Despite having the worst tear my surgeon had ever seen I would still have wanted that over the pain I have seen women go through after a c sect. I had a fourth degree tear and it still healed in the same time that any "normal" tear would heal. Just ensure that the baby and you aren't in risk of any complications and my big vote is for an epidural. I was fortunate enough to have a midwife who never turned my epidural down and as a result I never felt any pain whatsoever (in fact they had to distract me from watching tv during pushing!!!) and the surgeon was able to do his "work" in the labor ward and not in the operating ward. You will be fine - our bodies do amaz ing things in labour (which is why God chose women to have babies I am sure!!!) and whatever the outcome as long as you and your baby are fine a big baby brings many joys!!! Happy delivering and let us all know how everything went!!

[blancay]

Well I am still here, not that it is any surprise. Today is my officail due date!I am barely hanging in there. My hips are killing me and not tomention my back. My doctor went on maternity leave and for the final weeks of my pregnancy I am to see another doctor. But as my doctor said he feels to be about 10lbs, and she said my cervix is still way up high and so is the babys head. So I guess now I have to play the waiting game. Any encouraging thought please don'tn hesitate to send them to me. thanks!!!!

[beth]

Originally Posted by blancay

Well I am still here, not that it is any surprise. Today is my officail due date!I am barely hanging in there. My hips are killing me and not tomention my back. My doctor went on maternity leave and for the final weeks of my pregnancy I am to see another doctor. But as my doctor said he feels to be about 10lbs, and she said my cervix is still way up high and so is the babys head. So I guess now I have to play the waiting game. Any encouraging thought please don'tn hesitate to send them to me. thanks!!!!

Babyies have no respect for official due dates. Going for a long walk can help bring labor on if it's not too far away anyway. Or, you could just enjoy the up-and-coming weekend without baby! Anyway, this time next week it'll definitely be all over and you will have your lovely baby (all 10 pounds) to play with. Best wishes! Let us know what you have !!

[blancay]

Well finally I had my baby!!!! I went in 5/2/06 for a check up and of course my cervix was not ready at all. But the doctor thought it would be a good idea if I went in too get induced. They put in 5 cervix softeners and ofter 20 hours I finally went into active labor . Then I only dialated to seven and my contractions started to get further apart and there I stayed and the baby did not progress at all, so I ended up having a c-section . And at 9:42 pm on may 3rd Raymond Nathaniel was born. He ended up being 9lbs13oz 20 1/2 inches. And here I sit recovering form the c-section grateful that everything went well. Now I only have to adjust to a new routine.

Originally Posted by beth

Babyies have no respect for official due dates. Going for a long walk can help bring labor on if it's not too far away anyway. Or, you could just enjoy the up-and-coming weekend without baby! Anyway, this time next week it'll definitely be all over and you will have your lovely baby (all 10 pounds) to play with. Best wishes! Let us know what you have !!