WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO GIVE BIRTH TO A 10-POUNDER . . .

GEMMA WILCOCK, 35, is a stay-athome mum from Hemel Hempstead, and has a three-year-old daughter, amelie. Her son, luca, now 19 months, was born weighing 9lb 13oz.

‘NONE of my scans showed cause for concern throughout my first pregnancy. The midwife said it would be a healthy weight but it was nothing to worry about, which was a relief,’ recalls Gemma.

But in fact, Gemma went on to endure an agonising 28-hour labour as Amelie’s size (9lb 6oz) and position made the birth very difficult

‘Her shoulder was stuck and it was all a bit panicky. They gave me an episiotomy before trying to get her out with forceps but she just wouldn’t budge,’ says Gemma.

Gemma was rushed to theatre for an emergency caesarean.

After such a difficult first birth, it’s no surprise that when Gemma became pregnant again, she worried about the baby’s size. But the fundal measurement, again, showed nothing out of the ordinary.

‘The midwife actually said: “We don’t think this baby’s going to be as big as his sister,”’ recalls Gemma. Thirteen days past her due date, Gemma was induced and after 15 hours in labour and a ventouse, her son Luca, now 15 months, was born weighing 9lb 13oz and leaving her with a third degree tear which took nearly six weeks to heal.

‘In a way, I’m glad I didn’t know he would be that big, as I would have panicked, but the idea of having to go through another difficult birth has put me off having any more children,’ says Gemma. ‘I’m stopping now!’