You definitely need to do some research. 

Induction based on size estimates is contraindicated and advised against by ACOG.  First because growth U/S are off by +/- 2lbs, second, barring any medical complications it's very unusual that your body will grow a baby too big to deliver.  Your size has nothing to do with the baby you can safely birth.  Additionally, I'd be very careful with buying into what your doctor is saying about your pelvis being too small.  Is there a real reason they believe this?  Because it's hard to tell (unless it's some sort of actual malformation) and just because you are experiencing a lot of pelvic pain that doesn't mean your pelvis is small.  I had SPD last time, it's just something that can happen for a variety of reasons.  

Also, if you are concerned about baby coming out safely the number one thing I would tell you to do is not push on your back.  That's pretty much the worst position to push in.  Other positions will help you open your pelvis further for baby's descent.  

Just based on what you've said here I would absolutely not induce.  I'd actually be kind of nervous about what my OB was feeding me if I were you, TBH.  Perspective is very important and going into labor with the mindset that baby might be too big isn't helpful for anyone.   I was recently reading a study that was done that compared moms who had had late term growth U/S with those who didn't and even though their babies all ended up around the same size, the group who had had the U/S done had a much higher rate of C/S theoretically because the providers were less patient and the mom's were worried going into it (again, mindset is so important).

Just proceed carefully and definitely do some research!  I know it's hard navigating the waters.  GL!

Baby's head is in my pelvis, he could feel that there wasn't much room between his head, and my pelvic bone.  There wasn't much play, when he was moving the head from side to side.  That's where he came up with the idea that there wasn't much room, and ordered the ultrasound.

I will keep doing research... thank you for the reply :) 

With my second, he was measuring big (just under 10lbs) via an u/s at just under 39 weeks. With our doc, we made the decision to have a c-section (after me having my first vaginally) because the doc was afraid he was too big and it would put both of us at higher risk for something to go wrong if he engaged naturally. (I'm 5'9", so I I'm not as tiny as you!)

After going back and forth, we decided to have the c-section at 39 weeks exactly; he was born 1.5 lbs lighter than what they were anticipating (and about .5 lb lighter than my first).

In the end, you have the make the best decision for you guys. Just make sure to ask lots of questions and hopefully the answers will help you! Good luck!

What pp said do your research and make the decision you are comfortable with. That being said you don't want much "wiggle" room once baby is low in your pelvis and starts to engage. It will keep you from emegencies such as cord prolapse. On top of that as baby engages and comes out the bones in the skull are made to overlap to allow passage through the birth canal ( why vaginal babies heads are ugly shaped). Hope that helps, but make sure you are comfortable with your choices and don't let your dr bully you.

I have a history of a shoulder dystocia with my first so the size of my subsequent babies, coupled with a history of very quick labor, along with a few other things has concerned by OB.

Currently, my baby is measuring 2-3 weeks ahead with an estimated weight of 7.5-8 pounds which is about right on track with my previous babies.  I go back next week right at 37 weeks and if I'm dilating we may discuss inducing.  I, for one, am not outright against inductions.  Shoulder dystocias can be a very serious complication and having been through that once I don't want to have that happen again.

In your situation I would discuss inducing further with your doctor.  Is he thinking about inducing at 39 weeks or when?  I would be more likely to agree to the induction if my cervix was dilating and it was clear I was making signs towards labor on my own.  I probably wouldn't induce if there was no progress.

I am experiencing the EXACT same thing and just came on here to post about it when I saw your post. I was at the OB yesterday and she said baby is 7lb12oz at 36w2d. She said if I go all the way to 40 weeks the baby could be 10lbs. She mentioned being concerned about shoulder problems. She started talking about stripping membranes and doing cervidil around 38 weeks and the possibility of c-section if it didn't work. I was not pleased!! I've been researching and talking to other people and basically finding out that my OB's plan is not in line with with ACOG. She ordered a more detailed follow up growth scan for tomorrow at another ultrasound clinic (the one yesterday was in her office) and I'm very curious to see what they say because they are specialists there and I trust them a lot more than my OB (how sad is that?!). My plan is to avoid the induction plan and proceed in the way I want, which is to labor at home as long as possible to avoid the hospital interventions and then avoid c-section at all costs unless they can really show the baby in distress.

You have to weigh your own research plus opinions of the doctors. Be ready with lots of questions during your appointments so you understand the pros and cons. Your doctors and you are the only ones who know the full picture of your medical status and baby's status. The general anti-induction stance on here may or may not be appropriate to consider in your individual situation. Good luck! :)

RRL2012:

unless they can really show the baby in distress.

I'm not disagreeing with your plan, however, you do realize that a shoulder dystocia presents at the time your baby's head has already been delivered.  It is not something they can show you while you're in labor.

I feel for doctors who are trying to do what they think will be best for the baby, for their patient and yes, for themselves.  I'm sure that although most women say things about how they want to avoid inductions and c-sections, those same women would sue their doctors in a heartbeat if their child's arm was permanently paralyzed as the result of a shoulder dystocia.  It really puts doctors in a hard place.

Lastly, if you seriously don't trust your OB then why do you continue to see them?

Thank you for all the replies.  I am doing more research.  And I am also coming up with a list of questions for my OB.  I love the practice that I have, and they don't normally push intervention on anyone, which is why I got a little freaked out over it.  I will find out on Tuesday if I am dilated at all.  I don't think I could proceed with an induction if there is no progress.  

I appreciate all the replies. I just want what is safest for me and the little guy.  I also would like to avoid a c-section at all costs.  Decisions, decisions!

itsmevkb:

RRL2012:

unless they can really show the baby in distress.

I'm not disagreeing with your plan, however, you do realize that a shoulder dystocia presents at the time your baby's head has already been delivered.  It is not something they can show you while you're in labor.

I feel for doctors who are trying to do what they think will be best for the baby, for their patient and yes, for themselves.  I'm sure that although most women say things about how they want to avoid inductions and c-sections, those same women would sue their doctors in a heartbeat if their child's arm was permanently paralyzed as the result of a shoulder dystocia.  It really puts doctors in a hard place.

Lastly, if you seriously don't trust your OB then why do you continue to see them?

 

I agree, my mother was terrified that they had to break my shoulder.  I was in a cast for a couple months after birth, and I was at a rather small birth rate.  My brother, who came after me, was 8lbs something, and my mom had to go through an emergency c-section with him, because he got caught in her pelvis.  This terrifies me.  Not that her, and my pregnancies are the same, but we have a very similar stature.  Both very short, and both with very slender hips.

I just want the least complications for everyone.  Again, thank you all for your opinions, I love hearing them all.  And all will help me make a better decision! 

itsmevkb:

RRL2012:

unless they can really show the baby in distress.

I'm not disagreeing with your plan, however, you do realize that a shoulder dystocia presents at the time your baby's head has already been delivered.  It is not something they can show you while you're in labor.

I feel for doctors who are trying to do what they think will be best for the baby, for their patient and yes, for themselves.  I'm sure that although most women say things about how they want to avoid inductions and c-sections, those same women would sue their doctors in a heartbeat if their child's arm was permanently paralyzed as the result of a shoulder dystocia.  It really puts doctors in a hard place.

Lastly, if you seriously don't trust your OB then why do you continue to see them?

 

THIS!!! I get that women want to do what is right for LO but sometimes you have to realize that Dr.s know what they are doing and if you didn't trust that he was doing the right thing you should not continue to see him. I truly believe that your OB is looking out for you and LOs best interest. These are highly educated people who know what they are talking about. These are not used car salesmen who are going to feed you a bunch of bull s*it and put their medical licenses on the line to make a quick buck. I am 33 weeks and if my OB said that we have to induce me next week because LO is too big I would do it, I have faith that my OB knows a lot more than I do, and all the googling in the world will not convince me otherwise. I feel that if you are doubting him in any way you should get a second opinion. A friend of my sister was told she needed to be induced at 38 weeks because LO had been measuring ahead and she was a very small woman, she refused because she was told by a friend that her OB was not following guidelines.... she stopped seeing him and went to the ER at 40 weeks because she did not feel LO move all day. She had an emergency c-sec and LO was gone. I am not saying this is the norm, but had she listened to her OB and not friends and the internet, she may not have had to experience such a great loss. 

Eaky77:

itsmevkb:

RRL2012:

unless they can really show the baby in distress.

I'm not disagreeing with your plan, however, you do realize that a shoulder dystocia presents at the time your baby's head has already been delivered.  It is not something they can show you while you're in labor.

I feel for doctors who are trying to do what they think will be best for the baby, for their patient and yes, for themselves.  I'm sure that although most women say things about how they want to avoid inductions and c-sections, those same women would sue their doctors in a heartbeat if their child's arm was permanently paralyzed as the result of a shoulder dystocia.  It really puts doctors in a hard place.

Lastly, if you seriously don't trust your OB then why do you continue to see them?

 

I agree, my mother was terrified that they had to break my shoulder.  I was in a cast for a couple months after birth, and I was at a rather small birth rate.  My brother, who came after me, was 8lbs something, and my mom had to go through an emergency c-section with him, because he got caught in her pelvis.  This terrifies me.  Not that her, and my pregnancies are the same, but we have a very similar stature.  Both very short, and both with very slender hips.

I just want the least complications for everyone.  Again, thank you all for your opinions, I love hearing them all.  And all will help me make a better decision! 

You can have slender hips and a large pelvic inlet. My cowroker's wife is a rail with no hips and she had zero issues with a 10+lb'er. You can have large hips and a small pelvic inlet. DH's niece is a large framed gal with plenty of hip- she couldn't deliver a 6 lb baby vaginally. There is no way to know until you try.

You doctor has zero business talking induction. Size is not a medical reason to induce (and those measurements are notorious for being way off), and many places the hsopital will not allow an induction prior to 39 weeks without medical necessity. You not wanting a c-section is not a medical necessity.

If you doctor even considers doing it before 39 weeks, you need to stand firm that they test for lung maturity first. NICU stays aren't pleasant, and your chances of one are significantly higher with an induction with a late pre-term/early term baby (which is what 37 weeks is- it is not full term).

 

37 weeks not being full term is totally news to me.... not to mention the 3 books I have read or the 6 OB's in the practice I have that all state that 37 weeks is full term.  Plus, back when my parents became parents, they didn't add the 2 weeks before conception to the "term."  So 40 weeks would actually be 38.  I would be 38 weeks before we even talked about induction.  When I told my mother they have you go to 40, she thought I was crazy.  

I guess you learn something new everyday? 

GhostMonkey:

Eaky77:

itsmevkb:

RRL2012:

unless they can really show the baby in distress.

I'm not disagreeing with your plan, however, you do realize that a shoulder dystocia presents at the time your baby's head has already been delivered.  It is not something they can show you while you're in labor.

I feel for doctors who are trying to do what they think will be best for the baby, for their patient and yes, for themselves.  I'm sure that although most women say things about how they want to avoid inductions and c-sections, those same women would sue their doctors in a heartbeat if their child's arm was permanently paralyzed as the result of a shoulder dystocia.  It really puts doctors in a hard place.

Lastly, if you seriously don't trust your OB then why do you continue to see them?

 

I agree, my mother was terrified that they had to break my shoulder.  I was in a cast for a couple months after birth, and I was at a rather small birth rate.  My brother, who came after me, was 8lbs something, and my mom had to go through an emergency c-section with him, because he got caught in her pelvis.  This terrifies me.  Not that her, and my pregnancies are the same, but we have a very similar stature.  Both very short, and both with very slender hips.

I just want the least complications for everyone.  Again, thank you all for your opinions, I love hearing them all.  And all will help me make a better decision! 

You can have slender hips and a large pelvic inlet. My cowroker's wife is a rail with no hips and she had zero issues with a 10+lb'er. You can have large hips and a small pelvic inlet. DH's niece is a large framed gal with plenty of hip- she couldn't deliver a 6 lb baby vaginally. There is no way to know until you try.

You doctor has zero business talking induction. Size is not a medical reason to induce (and those measurements are notorious for being way off), and many places the hsopital will not allow an induction prior to 39 weeks without medical necessity. You not wanting a c-section is not a medical necessity.

If you doctor even considers doing it before 39 weeks, you need to stand firm that they test for lung maturity first. NICU stays aren't pleasant, and your chances of one are significantly higher with an induction with a late pre-term/early term baby (which is what 37 weeks is- it is not full term).

 

I'll let my doctor know that you disagree with  him even considering induction given my history of a shoulder dystocia and having had three large babies prior to 38 weeks already.   I'm sure he'll get a kick out of it since you won't be the one there dealing with it if I have another one.

itsmevkb:

GhostMonkey:

Eaky77:

itsmevkb:

RRL2012:

unless they can really show the baby in distress.

I'm not disagreeing with your plan, however, you do realize that a shoulder dystocia presents at the time your baby's head has already been delivered.  It is not something they can show you while you're in labor.

I feel for doctors who are trying to do what they think will be best for the baby, for their patient and yes, for themselves.  I'm sure that although most women say things about how they want to avoid inductions and c-sections, those same women would sue their doctors in a heartbeat if their child's arm was permanently paralyzed as the result of a shoulder dystocia.  It really puts doctors in a hard place.

Lastly, if you seriously don't trust your OB then why do you continue to see them?

 

I agree, my mother was terrified that they had to break my shoulder.  I was in a cast for a couple months after birth, and I was at a rather small birth rate.  My brother, who came after me, was 8lbs something, and my mom had to go through an emergency c-section with him, because he got caught in her pelvis.  This terrifies me.  Not that her, and my pregnancies are the same, but we have a very similar stature.  Both very short, and both with very slender hips.

I just want the least complications for everyone.  Again, thank you all for your opinions, I love hearing them all.  And all will help me make a better decision! 

You can have slender hips and a large pelvic inlet. My cowroker's wife is a rail with no hips and she had zero issues with a 10+lb'er. You can have large hips and a small pelvic inlet. DH's niece is a large framed gal with plenty of hip- she couldn't deliver a 6 lb baby vaginally. There is no way to know until you try.

You doctor has zero business talking induction. Size is not a medical reason to induce (and those measurements are notorious for being way off), and many places the hsopital will not allow an induction prior to 39 weeks without medical necessity. You not wanting a c-section is not a medical necessity.

If you doctor even considers doing it before 39 weeks, you need to stand firm that they test for lung maturity first. NICU stays aren't pleasant, and your chances of one are significantly higher with an induction with a late pre-term/early term baby (which is what 37 weeks is- it is not full term).

 

I'll let my doctor know that you disagree with  him even considering induction given my history of a shoulder dystocia and having had three large babies prior to 38 weeks already.   I'm sure he'll get a kick out of it since you won't be the one there dealing with it if I have another one.

::insert massive eyeroll:: Was I talking to you or anything about your situation? No. She is a first time mom. You having a history is a completely different ballgame and you know that.

 

 

 

Well, that's your OB's medical opinion. He may be correct, maybe not. If you would like to try for a natural birth (ie, not being induced), then you are well within your right to do so.

 

I think you will get better information if you thoroughly discuss this with your OB, though, rather than people on the internet. Unless everyone replying here are OBs and MWs. Share your concerns with him/her, and ask about the accuracy of growth u/s's, the pelvic inlet argument, etc. If he/she is worth their salt, they will be able to back up their opinion with solid data and then you can move forward.

Here's some anecdotal evidence against those growth u/s: My doctors told me my entire pregnancy that my pelvis was probably too narrow to deliver vaginally, that my baby would end up being too big for me, etc. And you wanna talk petite? I'm 4'6'', 100 lbs at 40 weeks pregnant. At 36 weeks, they estimated my baby to be 6lbs 1oz. I pushed to be allowed to do a trial of labor. She was born (vaginally!) at 40w 5d, at 6lbs 2oz. Growth u/s aren't always correct, and are often times wrong.

So, yeah, I'd say those growth u/s can be off by a bit. I'd take them with a grain of salt if I were you, and be sure to do your research! Good luck.

Not considering the issues with his size ( I have no experience with this )... I was induced and it was an easy, great experience.  I had my water broken at 7:30am and DS was born around 1pm.  One hour of pushing.

My OB told me with my 1st child that the baby was probably going to be too big, and my pelvis was not very accomodating. I went on without an induction, water broke laboured for 36 hours fully dialated and tried to push her out. She wouldnt budge and I ended up with an emergency cesarean because the doctor on call could feel that she wasnt coming down at all during pushing. That being said, I didnt know if I didnt try to birth her naturally. Ultrasounds arent accurate, fundal height isnt accurate. You just never know.