#469: Should 38-Week Induction For Big Babies Become A Thing?

2026-06-10

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This week, Blyss and Stu take a deep dive into the increasingly popular recommendation of inducing labor at 38 weeks for suspected “big babies”.Prompted by a recent social media post from a prominent obstetric influencer, they examine two studies being used to justify earlier inductions for "big babies" and ask an important question: do the data actually support the conclusions being promoted?Along the way, Blyss and Stu challenge listeners to look beyond headlines and social media summaries, examine how studies are designed, and consider whether int...

This week, Blyss and Stu take a deep dive into the increasingly popular recommendation of inducing labor at 38 weeks for suspected “big babies”.

Prompted by a recent social media post from a prominent obstetric influencer, they examine two studies being used to justify earlier inductions for "big babies" and ask an important question: do the data actually support the conclusions being promoted?

Along the way, Blyss and Stu challenge listeners to look beyond headlines and social media summaries, examine how studies are designed, and consider whether interventions are being recommended based on meaningful risk reduction, or simply because they can be.

The episode emphasizes the importance of respecting nature's design, individualizing care, and helping families understand the difference between relative risk, absolute risk, and true informed choice.

References:

AJOG MFM Article: Induction at 38 weeks for large-for-gestational-age or macrosomic fetuses decreases the incidence of cesarean delivery: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

https://www.ajogmfm.org/article/S2589-9333(26)00008-X/fulltext

The Lancet Article: Induction of labour versus standard care to prevent shoulder

dystocia in fetuses suspected to be large for gestational age in the UK (the Big Baby trial): a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial

https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2825%2900162-X

Birthing Instincts Podcast #431: "Hold Your Beer" It's Fetal Macrosomia Guidelines

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MJg92Du4WLUn7P8ypPBVc?si=SJ6YtH6CRMKClgCDGdXXqw

Discussed in This Episode

Analysis of the BIG BABY Trial

Why statistical significance does not always equal clinical significance

What shoulder dystocia rates actually mean

Large-for-gestational-age (LGA) v true macrosomia

Accuracy limitations of estimated fetal weight

How labels like "big baby" often trigger cascades of intervention

Differences between physiologic birth and hospital management

What informed consent should actually look like when discussing risks

The often-overlooked downstream consequences of routine induction

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care

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