The Truth About Big Babies

Is the baby too big to fit?

Is Baby Too Big?

One of the leading reasons for induction of labor is the thinking that baby is too big to fit or that labor and birth might be too much for the mom if the pregnancy is allowed to continue and baby gets "too large."

What is too large and how do we know? Evidence based birth looks into the current evidence of "big babies" and reports that two out of three expecting mamas were given an ultrasound near the end of pregnancy and told that their babies were too big (in reality, the average weight of these babies was only 7lbs 13 ounces!) *See full article here https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or.../

Ultrasounds only have a 22-50% accuracy rate at predicting big babies. And the provider's hands aren't much more accurate. Some mamas (including some I know personally) have been told (rather than offered) that they were going to be induced even that day. **And in this case, baby was only 7lb. 9oz.

Reasons for recommending induction of suspected big babies are largely due to a conundrum physicians find themselves in . . . if the baby becomes "stuck" during labor (a risk of .65% in babies weighing less than 8lbs 13 ounces and up to 14.5% risk in babies over 9lbs 15ounces) and suffers injury, he is liable and might be sued. In order to "first do no harm" he must show an attempt to do EVERYTHING he can to protect mom and baby even if that puts her at risk for major surgery in order to prevent the minor risk of being sued due to shoulder dystocia. He's caught in the legal and money system. And in many ways, he has no other choice but to offer an induction or c-section even if he suspects that baby is borderline too big.

The reality is that the reported death rate from babies getting stuck is 0-1% (according to studies done in 1996 and 2011).

Mama, your body was made for this! Even if it's a big baby. Your pelvis is flexible and baby's head is moldable.

So, before you find yourself scared into an induction for a big baby, do your research. Get a second opinion. Think about it. Feel it out. Get all the details. Know the risks and the benefits, and feel free to tell your provider "No." It's your right as a patient.