1Q. I am 35 weeks pregnant and my baby dropped in 32nd week. I watched a Lamaze video which suggested that if a baby goes head down, it takes about 2 or max 4 weeks for delivery to start. How true is this?
2Q. I had Fetal growth scan done in my 33rd week, its report showed that my baby was already 2 kilos and 421 grams and my doctor suggested that if baby grows at this pace, she might need to do caesarian, as the paasage may be smaller for a big baby. Can i still have a normal delivery inspite of baby being bigger???

To your second question: this is a common scare tactic used on women. Not only is an ultra sound not acurate in determining the size of a baby in utero, but the pelvis is made of bones that are not attached all the way around. The pelvis can stretch and give lots of room if you are giving birth in a position that allows for this to happen (not on your back).

This is an article I loved reading about the pelvis
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/pelvis.asp

Please read this study about ultra sounds http://www.lamaze.org/NormalBirthForum/tabid/363/forumid/11/postid/30413/view/topic/Default.aspx

I know many women who have given birth naturally to 10lbs babies or more. Some of them were just a little over 5 feet tall. Do not let this doctor scare you into a convenient for him c-section. What is his rate by the way, do you know? May be good to ask. If it is high, and esp. with this recommendation, you may want to get really educated about common practices that are not evidence based and what alternatives you have. He will become relentless. A good doula may be a good thing for you to have at your birth.

maria.

I too would be concerned about an ob who is talking "cesarean" on the grounds that the baby is going to be big. And, like Maria, I recommend finding out your ob's cesarean surgery rate if for no other reason than you will have a sense of to what degree you can trust your doctor's judgment. As for what that rate should reasonably be, any number of studies show that the cesarean rate can safely be under 15% in a run-of-the-mill population of pregnant women. The U.S. national average by contrast is twice that.

In anticipation of what is likely to come up as you approach your due date, I will tell you that studies show no benefits for planned induction or planned cesarean surgery for suspected big baby. Your best bet is going into labor on your own. I also recommend following Lamaze's Six Care Practices that Support Normal Birth, which include Maria's suggestion to have a doula.

-- Henci

Thanks a lot for your replies.

It did help me a lot in making my decision about birth. I did go by ure advice and delivered healthy 4.03 Kilo baby two weeks ago.

Many thanks

Congratulations and all best wishes for you and your little one!

-- Henci

Congratulations!