paul williams wrote:
Wifes now 36 weeks but baby is measuring up to 40 weeks already so it
looks very large.

Consultant has given us the choice :-

1. Elective C-section at 39 weeks.
2. Induce at 40 weeks.

What exactly is the problem with the baby being large...I mean is there
some medical risk to Mum or baby? Is the baby actually really large, or
the bump (fluid etc).

Option 1 seems OK but consultant highlighted the risks involved with
any C-section.

Option 2 seems better if natural birth is possible. However, theres a
higher risk of emergency C-section which is obviously worse.

I really have not looked into either of these myself, but my personal
feeling if it were me would be to aim for the most natural birth.
With an induction you will still probably have a natural birth.

Are there any stats on how many Elective C-sections have problems ?

I don't know those. You should be able to get stats. for your hospital
from the Web (I can't remember the site I'm afraid) which will be much
more relevant to you. Or you can ask the hosptial directly.

What about stats on how many large babies get forced down the
emergency C anyway? What about the extra risks of an emergency C
compared to an elective?

Again, I am not sure about this.

Also, my wifes decided on an epidural anyway in the event of normal
birth. Does'nt this provide problems with larger babies anyway? I'e'
forceps or ventouse delivery? Not what we want either....

An epidural does increase the risk of other interventions. The size of
the baby does not indicate how painful labour will be. Just because she
might be having a big baby does not mean that her body will be unable to
cope. In only rare cases does a woman carry a baby she is unable to
birth. I would advise going into labour with a more open mind. I've
known people who vowed to take every drug they could and were terrified
beforehand, only to have a totally drug free birth and other who vowed
NOT to take a thing, but ended up with everything.

Mary Ann