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Expectant and Postpartum Moms
DOULA FOR BIG BABY?
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Anonymous
| I am a 1st time mom, just a few weeks from my due date, 6/23/2008, and my baby is measuring 9 lbs 7 oz already. I want to avoid a C-section and think I could use a doula for extra help with a vaginal delivery. I know it is very late but I would appreciate a doula recommendation or other advice. |
Anonymous
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One piece of advice is not to put too much stock into the fetal weight estimates. Pretty much every one I have ever heard of erred on the side of being larger than the db actually was. Mine was estimated to be significantly over 10 lbs and was only 8lb 9oz, for instance. I became sooooooo anxious about it, and in retrospect wish I had never participated in the late term fetal monitoring in that regard. My OB said that there was a margin of error of 25% for the sonogram weight estimates - which is a HUGE margin and means your db could be a 7lb db at this point rather than the weight they quoted you.
Best wishes for you and db! |
Anonymous
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Sorry, I don't have a doula recommendation. But I can advise that you read Ina May Gaskin's "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" to learn about what a woman's pelvis can do! Talk to your doctor or midwife about whether different positions for delivery are possible. Lying on your back is not the best position...
Also, remember that even if your baby ends up being large, that doesn't mean its head is unusually large! (And vice versa--my 7lb14oz baby had the head of a 9- or 10-pounder!) Once the head is out, the rest will follow |
Anonymous
| Wow, I can't believe your doctor actually told you the baby is measuring 9 lbs 7 ounces? I would be dubious. My doc said the best she could do was guess at the size - like "probably no more than 8 lbs." And she didn't even get that right. Have heard the same from others when their docs speculated. |
Anonymous
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Contact mother and baby matters in Reston or their website first at motherandbabymatters.com
I am only using the post labor care as my baby will be delivered by midwifes who are more attentive and around than ob's. |
Anonymous
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As others have said, there is no way an ultrasound can determine exactly what size your baby is right now. They can be wrong by 2 or more pounds. If you do indeed have a "larger" baby, then you will have the easiest time pushing it out if you stay mobile during labor (ie, don't lay down in the hospital bed!) and if you choose an upright position (such as squatting or on your hands and knees) during the pushing phase. Squatting can open your pelvis by 20-30%. Remember that the baby's head is made up of flexible plates of bone which are meant to squish during delivery. Your body is designed to birth the baby that you are growing.
Please do not make ANY decisions (such as induction or c/section) based on this highly inaccurate ultrasound information. All it does is place fear in your head, and that's the last thing you need as you try to deliver your baby. Finally, yes, a doula could be a huge help to you in helping you understand the facts about ultrasound, encouraging you to feel confident, and supporting you during labor itself. It is not too late at all to hire a doula. |
Anonymous
Um, my advice would be to get an epidural instead of a doula. 
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Anonymous
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My late ultrasounds were nearly exactly right for both my babies. (I had big babies - they seem to run in my family.)
I was told that u/s in the last few weeks can be a few ounces off. I'm pretty sure that u/s are never "two pounds" off. I would not get medical advice from this board - I would ask your ob. People here have real political agendas about childbirth. You need to have all the scientific facts from a doctor before you make your own decisions. I hope all goes well and you find a great doula. Good luck! |
Anonymous
Ultrasound can indeed be two pounds off. In fact, I bet that if this thread stays at the top of the page moms will start posting that they themselves had an extremely inaccurate ultrasound. Yes, sometimes u/s is exactly right, and other times it is far off. This is well known and accepted fact. The other thing I find interesting about your post is the assumption that doctors are somehow fair and unbiased regarding childbirth. I would propose that of ANY group, obstetricians themselves have the greatest "political agenda" of them all. Also, doctors do NOT always practice based on the scientific facts. This has been documented time and time again throughout the history of obstetrics. It is ALWAYS helpful when a woman does her own research to cross-reference the information that any medical professional gives her. |
Anonymous
Actually, when there truly is a large baby, remaining unmedicated can make it much easier for the baby to be born. If the mom is unmedicated, then she will be able to move as much as possible, walk, sqat, etc. Movement is essential in making sure a baby is positioned correctly to be born, and if the baby is very large then it absolutely must be in the perfect position or else it will not come out vaginally. When big babies get "stuck" it is frequently because the mother got an epidural, thus immobilizing herself at precisely the moment she should be walking and swaying her hips so that the baby can come out easily. Additionally, the mother has much greater power during the pushing phase if she is unmedicated; another bonus when you have a very large baby that you are trying to push out! |
Anonymous
Okay. Then I'll get my medical advice from an anonymous online weirdo who hates doctors. Thanks. |
Anonymous
| My baby was said to be over 9 lbs at 37 week ultrasound and I was urged to have a scheduled c-section by my doctor. She was born at 40 weeks and was 8 lbs, 2 oz. They really can be off by a lot. OP, I have a friend who delivered her 11 lb, 2 oz baby vaginally (and quickly) this past fall...it can definitely be done! |
Anonymous
I'm not sure what exactly I said to piss you off, but clearly you're feeling quite defensive. For the record, I don't hate doctors. I had my own baby delivered by a doctor. That said, doctors have agendas exactly like everyone else on this planet. Doctors are only human and make mistakes. Doctors don't always have time to keep up on the latest research, and they almost never have the chance to view how another care provider (for example, a midwife) handles certain situations. Most people recieve better medical care if they do independent research, as well as listening to the advice of their doctors. People also tend to receive better medical care if they have a personal advocate. There's nothing weird about any of that. |
Anonymous
| Do you want moral support or do you not want to feel pain? If you're looking for the former, then go for a doula. If you're looking for the latter, get an epidural. I had an over 9 pound baby and no kinds of squatting, walking, breathing or coaching would've helped me. Seriously. Maybe that's just me.... |
Anonymous
It is just you in that it is all just us - everyone should have the birth that is best for them. Women should be told that an epidural can make laboring with a large baby harder in some respects and easier in others; the epidural could still be right for you but that doesn't mean we shouldn't all know the ups and downs. |