Natural ChildbirthShare tips, support, encouragement, and the natural childbirth experience with other mothers who said no to the drugs and those who are considering it.
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Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
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Lyberti3413233
  - Joined on 05-27-2009
- Mansfieldd
- Posts 9
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
Well first off I totally admire you for wanting to do it the all natural way. Really, I think you should do what is best for the baby, the easiest and safest way he or she can get outta there! My moms an ER nurse and you should totally listen to the doctors, but still get your word in and see what they can do!
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Shannon1983
 - Joined on 05-23-2004
- NY
- Posts 129
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
You are doing the best thing you can do, researching before you go in. These growth scans are really not a great idea once the baby starts getting bigger because they are very rarely accurate, they can be up to 2 lbs off either way. You can refuse any medical intervention they may throw at you. Yes it sucks to have to push for what you want while you're in pain, but it is best for the baby in the long run. Doctors do not know all, or even if they do they will twist things to suit themselves, too. Not saying all do, but I've had a few myself that have done it to me, and know others that have been flat out lied to by their OBs. 8-9 lbs is actually pretty manageable to push out for most women. I would suggest finding a doula who can do the arguing for you while you're in the hospital, and they can tell you if they think the interventions suggested are really necessary. Good luck.
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TawniAline
  - Joined on 03-25-2004
- Camby, Indiana
- Posts 699
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
I went pain med free with my son who was 8lbs 2oz and that was with pitocin for the last 2cm... it's totally possible.. but.. if it makes you feel any better my last check up (28 week scan- to screen against IUGR due to hypertension) said my lil one was 3.5 lbs so best case scenario if he were to gain NO weight between then and the last 4 weeks he'd be 7.5 lbs (not much chance of that lol) and i'm still planning on going natural despite whatever they decide to say about continued growth... trust me :) you'll be fine :) I dont think the size of the baby will make that much difference unless you start getting up there around 13lbs and such but even then sometimes they're just long :) (my step mother delievered 3 babies all between 10 and 13lbs and did just fine (she didnt go epidural free- but i think she could have- she didnt have extensive tearing or anything so :) ) good luck!!
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~Sonia~
 - Joined on 09-19-2006
- Posts 233
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
Say no to the induction, with an induction your risk of a c-section is 50%. Regardless of baby's size, there is no way anyone can tell if your baby will fit through your pelvis until you try. Your OB is obviously a man with little education on the process of natural childbirth and the benefits. The pain of childbirth is not like any other pain...it's not because of an injury...it is not constant...and there is an end. You also have hormones and endorphins working in your favor, which you don't get with an induction or a c-section. Your pain will not be worse with a large baby than with a small baby...size of baby makes no difference.
Your body and your baby have the inherent wisdom to birth naturally...trust in that. You CAN and SHOULD say 'no' to any procedure you don't want...it IS your body, and YOUR choice. They may try to make you feel inferior, or belittle you...which is horrible...but it IS YOUR CHOICE.
I have personally given birth med-free to three children, two of them were 9lbs 5 oz and my last was 10lbs 1oz....and I had one small tear with my second, but none with the others. As a doula, I've seen women give birth to 9+ pound babies (one 11+lb baby) without meds.
I do suggest you hire a doula if possible, they can help advocate for you during your labor and help you stick to your birth plan. They also provide invaluable support physically and emotionally. You can find one on www.dona.org.
Good luck to you and I hope you get the support to get the birth you want!!
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NoLongerDesolate
 - Joined on 02-23-2005
- North LA
- Posts 527
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
He sounds like a crappy doc, IMO. Like another poster said, they could be way off on the size of the baby. Alot of times they are. BUT, even if it's right and you are looking at a 8-9 pounder, that's not really that big of a deal. Not like docs make it out to be. Chances are that they WILL try to induce you which I strongly suggest against. So often inductions lead to a c-sec. Inducing will also require an IV and continous monitoring which will pretty much keep you strapped to the bed lowering your chances of going natural. Not to mention pitocen causes harder and closer together contractions. That makes it hard for any woman to labor without pain meds. Take it from me: big babies can be born vaginally and naturally without being induced. My last one was 8lb13oz. She had a big head and was barrel chested like a dude! I know of others who have delivered bigger babies than that. Your main concern would be a too small pelvis (which is VERY rare) and shoulder dystocia (where the shoulders get stuck and also pretty rare). As for the latter, pushing in just about any position except for on your back will take care of that. Squatting alone can give 20-40% more space. I've also read of a midwives "technique" for shoulder dystocia is flipping mom over (in the direction of the baby's back) to her hands and knees. As for small pelvis, even if a woman is considered petite that does not necessarily mean her pelvis is too small to deliver. About the only true way to decide if the pelvis is truly too small is to try vaginal delivery. Again, try an alternate position instead of flat on back. If baby just refuses to descend then the pelvis may be too small. Then you could proceed with a c-sec but the baby still had the benefits of labor. Please do lots of research before letting a doc talk you into anything! Big babies do not automatically mean inducing and/or c-sec! But you need to be well researched, fully confident in your decision, and prepared to possibly go to battle with doc to get what you want.
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NoLongerDesolate
- Joined on 02-23-2005
- North LA
- Posts 527
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
 sjcush:Say no to the induction, with an induction your risk of a c-section is 50%. Regardless of baby's size, there is no way anyone can tell if your baby will fit through your pelvis until you try. Your OB is obviously a man with little education on the process of natural childbirth and the benefits. The pain of childbirth is not like any other pain...it's not because of an injury...it is not constant...and there is an end. You also have hormones and endorphins working in your favor, which you don't get with an induction or a c-section. Your pain will not be worse with a large baby than with a small baby...size of baby makes no difference.
Your body and your baby have the inherent wisdom to birth naturally...trust in that. You CAN and SHOULD say 'no' to any procedure you don't want...it IS your body, and YOUR choice. They may try to make you feel inferior, or belittle you...which is horrible...but it IS YOUR CHOICE.
I have personally given birth med-free to three children, two of them were 9lbs 5 oz and my last was 10lbs 1oz....and I never even really teared with any of them. As a doula, I've seen women give birth to 11+ pound babies without meds.
I do suggest you hire a doula if possible, they can help advocate for you during your labor and help you stick to your birth plan. They also provide invaluable support physically and emotionally. You can find one on www.dona.org.
Good luck to you and I hope you get the support to get the birth you want!!
Well said.
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Mom~of~Munchkins
 - Joined on 09-14-2005
- Posts 236
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
It may be just my personal opinion, as I have no facts to back it up, but I think that the REAL average baby size is probably somewhere between 8 and 9lbs, honestly. Right now, they say "average" is about 7.5 lbs...counting all the inductions and repeat cesareans before baby's readiness. My first baby (induced...which SUCKS) was 7.5lbs. The second baby was born without induction at 8.5 lbs. The third was over 9lbs. And I'm on track this time to top #3. You need a new doctor. Definitely. What a jackass.
Read Marie Mongan's "Hypnobirthing" book. It will either change your mind on pain of labor or just confirm what you already know (and the doctor is STUPID about).
By the way, who gave men permission to talk about the pain of labor? Seriously.
And I also recommend a doula, whether you keep the OB you have now or choose a different one.
I second what sjcush said about inducing vs waiting. If this is your first baby, your cervix and pelvis are going to most assuredly be nowhere near ready for labor before due date. It will be a rotten experience, because, with your PCOS and induction, they'll have you on your back, still, in bed for the duration.
BTW: I got the same schpeel this time around. I am 37 wks and the 36 wk ultrasound showed baby at 7.5lbs already. My nurse midwife (in an OB office) said that we might have to induce so that she could tend the labor, because her OBs wouldn't let her deliver babies estimated over 9lbs at due date.
Needless to say, I bailed. I'm homebirthing, now, with a nurse midwife who values the fact that I labored just 18 months ago for 2hrs with a 9lb baby, pushed for 5 minutes and had no vaginal trauma whatsoever.
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angela~2DS
  - Joined on 04-05-2005
- VA
- Posts 1,794
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
I think you can do it! I had my last one natural and he was 8lbs 8oz. I would be against the induction if you want to do it natural, and expecially since you feel like you shouldn't do it. It's for a reason that you are against it. I was against having an epi with my first, come to find out I'm allergic to morphine so it REALLy would have turned out bad. Trust your instincts and do what YOU feel is right for you and your baby. The drs have an agenda one way or the other. They can always help you out once you are there, but you can't undo what they may want to do if you agree to it. And I totally agree with what everyone else has said!
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macaela3114103
 - Joined on 11-19-2008
- Posts 1,097
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
I would have to agree with some of the other ladies dont do it unless medically necissary. However I know that with high risk patients such as yourself induction may be the best thing depending on how much pcos mocks diabeties. I am a high risk patient I have type 2 diabeties and high blood pressure issues. I am over 33 weeks and at my last u/s at 30 weeks she was estimated to be a little over 5 lbs and approx. 17 inches long. I was told by my ob that the placenta will mature faster for someone with diabeties, so like at 38 weeks the placenta will respond as if it was already 40+ weeks. I do trust my dr in every way that she is giving me the right info only cause she is all for the natural birth she was a midwife at one point and she just had a little one herself all natural. So I honestly feel like she wouldnt lie to me about something like that. But as far as the size of the baby I know of women who delivered big babies vaginally. They did have some help with the pain but they still managed. But that is the only reason I can see that he would think that you need to be induced is not only cause of the size but because of the placenta. I dont know a whole lot about pcos put I do know about the diabeties. She did estimate that my little girl will be approx. between 8 to 10 lbs at 38 weeks which is when we plan on the induction and she is going to let me try to go vaginally, but I honestly think that I wont make it to the induction date keeping my fingers crossed. Also I wouldnt let them induce you before the 38 week mark, cause with diabeties they typically wont let you go past 38 1/2 so most dr's try to get you to that point before they induce anyways. Just do some more research on pcos and the risks of birth and so forth. I wanted a natural birth as well but because of the high blood pressure that went out the window anyways and the diabeties is just an added complication. I wish you the best of luck and I would have to agree that your dr was a butthead about the whole situation.
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scarlet_willow
 - Joined on 12-14-2007
- James 23 July '08, Henry 26 Oct '09
- Posts 984
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
Ultrasound estimates of baby size can be close but they can also be way off. They estimated my cousin's baby was going to be huge and she came out at 7 lb! My SIL was estimated to have a 7 lb baby and he did come out 7 lb, so you just never know for sure.
However, even if that is an accurate estimate in your case, I wouldn't let that change your mind about natural birth. Maybe try doing more research (unless you already have) on delivering larger babies naturally, like how to avoid tearing, etc. I delivered an 8 lb baby (WITH pain meds), but no forceps or vaccum extractor and I am a small person, so it IS possible to push out a big baby!
I don't think you are putting your baby in any harm's way by trying to give birth naturally, I think in most circumstances it is usually better for the baby. I have never heard of natural birthing being only for small or average sized babies! I think the comment that Dr made was really out-of-line! Yeah giving birth is painful, but I think that goes for small OR big babies. Aren't the contractions that painful part, and those don't really have anything to do with the size of the baby.
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cutieclc
- Joined on 05-28-2009
- Posts 2
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
You all have made me feel so much better! And a little angry at the doc. Luckily he is not my OB. I will see her on Monday and find out what she thinks. If she is not on board with my decision we will have some problems. Unfortunately cause I have Kaiser, I won't be know who will deliver me til the time comes. I think I will refuse to be induced unless they come up with a better reason than size. My glucose and blood pressure have been fine so far so hopefully it will stay that way! I am not a small girl, pretty average sized so I think I will be fine. I know I can do this but I am so tired of the resistance that I am getting on this subject. I don't want to be bed bound or doped up! My little guy is worth the pain! Thanks for giving me strength! You guys have been great!
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NoLongerDesolate
- Joined on 02-23-2005
- North LA
- Posts 527
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
macaela3114103: I I was told by my ob that the placenta will mature faster for someone with diabeties, so like at 38 weeks the placenta will respond as if it was already 40+ weeks
I'm not saying doc is right or wrong on that but that statement does make me wonder a little. If the placenta has matured earlier b/c of the diabetes wouldn't the woman go ahead and go into labor? Seems to me there would be no reason to induce then just b/c of diabetes. I've not dealt with gest diabetes so I don't know alot about it. I'm just wondering out loud.
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macaela3114103
- Joined on 11-19-2008
- Posts 1,097
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
NoLongerDesolate: macaela3114103:
I I was told by my ob that the placenta will mature faster for someone with diabeties, so like at 38 weeks the placenta will respond as if it was already 40+ weeks
I'm not saying doc is right or wrong on that but that statement does make me wonder a little. If the placenta has matured earlier b/c of the diabetes wouldn't the woman go ahead and go into labor? Seems to me there would be no reason to induce then just b/c of diabetes. I've not dealt with gest diabetes so I don't know alot about it. I'm just wondering out loud.
Not always that is one of the reasons why there is a higher risk for still born babies with women who have diabeties among other risk factors. For some women the placenta will give out while baby is still in the womb, that is why they induce to be on the side of caution. Here is a website to give you a better understanding of why they induce with people who have diabeties. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diabetes/managing/pregnancy_and_diabetes_001905.htm
As my dr explained that the cause of the majority of stillbirth associated with women who have diabetes is do to the placenta maturing faster and in some cases will give out or cause placenta abruption before baby is born. That is why I am hopeing that I go into labor before my induction date cause one I dont want to be induced and risk the chance of having to have a c-section and second I dont want her to be to big. I dont have gestational diabeties either I have type 2 diabeties I have been a diabetic for the past 2 1/2 years so I knew this would be the case before I even got pregnant luckily I have been keeping my blood sugars under control so far. I hope this helps you better understand. Trust me if there wasnt a higher risk of stillborn for me because of the diabetes and placenta thing I wouldnt allow them to induce unless it was necisssary.
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melonjuice
 - Joined on 07-13-2006
- southampton, england
- Posts 87
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Re: Big baby on the way, but I really wanna go natural...Help!
my son was induced 5 days late due to him not moving and his heartbeat being hard to find but he was 8lbs 3oz when born and the only pain relief i had was gas and air towards the end. i pushed for a while but had him naturally with no gas and air and had no stitches. if you want to do it naturally go for it and just see what happens when you're in labour, the doctors can only advise you as to what to do not make your decisions. good luck and all the best. H x x x
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