Your babies too big to have a VBAC

Something is happening internationally, more women want to have a natural birth after a caesarean, also known as a VBAC, and many women are forcefully weaned off the idea.

When we think of a baby being too big, we think of our babies not being able to pass through our vagina or birth canal and this is actually a concern for many mothers. Unfortunately, this seems to be yet another tactic to scare mothers into choosing a repeat c-section using mis-information.

There has been no scientific evidence to suggest if a mother carries a large baby she is unable to birth her baby, or the baby will be unable to pass through her birth canal and through her vagina. 

This all sounds a little crazy, how can someone predict how big your baby is and and then set you up for a line of interventions, even before you go into labor based on conjecture and a guess.

Many mothers find they face a series of emotional challenges from day to day during their VBAC journey. Feeling incompetent to have a natural birth and be normal is one, having a lack of confident to birth your baby is another, as well as feeling unsure due to all the information you are given, making your decision tough.

So, you have been told your baby is too big to be born, right??

I want you to know there is big chance your baby is not 'big' and that the guess is way off. I was told my first son was 9lbs, then 10lbs and was forced to have an induction...

I can assure you my baby was only 7.3lbs- and way off from the predicted large birth weight. And this happens to many mothers internationally. 

Jenny Lesley, the amazing beautiful author of the Book entitled birth after caesarean has a whole chapter on this. She says:

"There are no accurate methods for estimating the size of the baby, including predictions made using ultrasound and abdominal palpitation (using hands to feel the baby through the abdomen). A recent study showed an ultrasound proved to be 8%- 15% out."

Another issue is mothers are being forced to be induced if they are thought to have a big baby, If a mother has a c/s scar she has to have a repeat c/s.

Acog says:

Suspecting a large baby is not a medical reason to deliver before 39 weeks, according to new recommendations.

If there are concerns that the baby may big large, it is practice to keep an eye on the mother but we cannot take the information as evidence as they likely are wrong and should not result in a caesarean delivery.

Acog says:

There are certain medical indications that require early delivery, including preeclampsia/eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, placental abruption, multiple fetuses, and poorly controlled diabetes. However, suspecting that a baby is macrosomic (large) is not an indication to induce or deliver by cesarean before 39 weeks.

Delivering a baby early can increase certain health problems for the baby and the mother so it shouldn't be done unless absolutely necessary such as the mother and baby are in danger..

The nice guidelines state:

1.2.10.1 In the absence of any other indications, induction of labour should not be carried out simply because a healthcare professional suspects a baby is large for gestational age (macrosomic).

What can a mother do to get through this hardship?

If the hospital says you cannot have a VBAC due to your baby being too big, there are several things you can do.

1. Ask to see another professional

2. Request they recheck the guidelines because a caesarean should not be performed on the basis of a predicted large baby.

3. Show them these guidelines listed above.

4. Let them know it's your decision and you choose not to be induced o

r have a repeat c/s

5. Ask to see the Midwife in charge

6. Click here to contact us  for support

7. request to see their hospital policy and the Nice- who GUIDELINES supporting their claims.