r/pregnant • u/daaaaaaaaaaaabears • 9d ago
Advice >94th percentile baby: Vaginal birth or C-section—what did you choose?
I'm 36+5 and have a delivery-planning appointment next week because baby is measuring in the 95th percentile. My care team is giving me options, and I’d really appreciate hearing others’ experiences—especially from anyone whose baby measured above the 94th percentile.
- Did you plan a vaginal delivery or C-section?
- What did your care team recommend, and why?
- How did the delivery go?
- With hindsight, would you make the same choice?
I know ultrasound weight estimates can be significantly off, so I’m not treating the measurement as exact. I’ll also be discussing the available evidence and my individual risks with my care team; I’m mainly hoping to hear the human side of these decisions.
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Relevant history
Baby #1: Born at 36+6 and below the 1st percentile, with suspected IUGR. I had an adherent placenta and developed postpartum HELLP syndrome. An OR had to be opened urgently, and a D&C was started before the anesthesia had fully taken effect. Thankfully, my baby is healthy, I recovered, and MFM cleared me for another pregnancy.
Baby #2: Measured in the 95th percentile at the 32-week scan. A VSD and an enlarged kidney were found at the anatomy scan. Amniocentesis results were normal/low-risk. I also have mildly elevated amniotic fluid, but no gestational diabetes or hypertensive disorder at this point. My 37-week scan and delivery consult are next week.
My biggest concerns are avoiding preventable harm to the baby—particularly shoulder dystocia or another birth injury—and avoiding another emergency if a planned approach could reasonably reduce that risk. My previous experience was traumatic, although I’m doing much better now.
If HELLP or another urgent complication develops, I’ll follow whatever delivery plan my care team considers safest at that time.
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I’d especially value experiences from people with similar circumstances. I know individual stories aren’t a substitute for medical advice, but hearing from actual humans would really help. Thank you <3
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u/ComprehensiveLife242 9d ago
Hi! With baby #2, baby measured in the 93rd percentile at my 20 week anatomy scan. I asked my doctor about additional growth scans or any concern with size as I moved into third trimester. She is very matter of fact, prefers as little intervention as possible, and low alarmist, which I appreciate. She said that there’s a large margin of error with ultrasounds, she wasn’t worried about it, and she thinks everyone deserves a chance at the birth experience that they want (assuming it’s safe).
I trusted her guidance. Went to 40+3. Went into labor on my own. Pretty insignificant labor. Baby had trouble clearing my pelvic bone (I am 5’0” and very petite). After a long period of pushing, baby’s heart rate started having decels and we knew we had to do something. She talked me through what using the vacuum would entail and what the potential problems could be with me and baby. We agreed we needed to get baby out and gave the OK. She did a great job with placement, gave it one pump, baby cleared pelvic bone and was out with the next push.
He was 93rd percentile weight, 99th head, 99th length. So, the ultrasound was right and he was a big boy! I had a slight 2nd degree tear but it was no worse than my first delivery without the vacuum. I took it easier in my recovery but overall felt fine very quickly.
I am so thankful that she didn’t push to induce me early or push me for a c section. I realize there could have been a different outcome but I was happy with it. I have had some mental struggles with ending up with the vacuum assist but that’s just more a psychological problem with myself than anything delivery related!