Big baby expected and a little worried (vent)

sophie206 · July 2013

I've been measuring big all along with this pregnancy and had a growth scan yesterday, at 37w5d. Baby is estimated to already weigh 8lbs 11oz, in the 95th percentile. (And she was estimated at 90th percentile at 30 weeks.) I have my OB appt tomorrow where we will discuss the results, but I am feeling a bit panicky at the idea of baby being close to 9 pounds with more than 2 more weeks until due date to continue growing! Her abdomen is measuring at 42+ weeks, so it looks like she's going to be a round one.

They did overestimate a bit with DD, so I know that these ultrasounds can be off, but I am feeling the urge to get things moving. Bring on the walking, sex, and spicy foods!

And then another part of me is like "Calm the eff down, woman, your body knows what it's doing...just be patient!" DD wasn't exactly tiny at 8.3lbs and I birthed her without the need for intervention. Anyone want to share their experience with expecting a big baby, and how it went for you?

penguingrrl · July 2013

At 37w 1d I was told my son was measuring 9 lbs 14 oz! I was induced due to pregnancy induced hypertension 5 days later and he was 8 lbs 12 oz, so big but not nearly as big as they feared. AND he was my easiest delivery by far. DD1 I pushed for 2 hours then was forced into an unnecessary c-section, DD2 I pushed for 3 hours and had a forceps assisted delivery, DS I pushed for 15 minutes and he was out! He was also my biggest baby by a lb.

holz · July 2013

DS1, they estimated to be 10lbs. A week before my EDD the doctor sat me down and told me he wanted to induce. I refused and he was born at 40w3d weighing 8lbs11oz.

DS2 measured ahead my whole pregnancy. I carried him lower and bigger and was sure he was going to be bigger than his brother. Before his EDD one ultrasound tech told me there was no way I'd be able to birth him naturally, while another told me there was no way he'd be as big as his brother. I went to 42w and be was 8lbs9oz.

As you can imagine, I'm a little skeptical of the measurements... Believe me, I know all about being done in those last few weeks, so do all the spicy foods and such you want, but I wouldn't waste any headspace worrying about the baby's size. Good luck!

sophie206 · July 2013

Thanks for the encouraging stories Kate and Penguin! I am happy that this is my second delivery, so my body has been through it before...And DD had a big head at 95 percentile!

eaglesfan700 · July 2013

I am going through the same thing! I had a freak out over it a couple weeks ago, but I have come down and am just going to see what happens.

I was induced early with DS because of an abnormal NST (unnecessarily, IMO - but it was my first so I didn't know to say no, I was scared) from nothing and it was horrible. The induction started on a Monday and he wasn't born until Wed morning. I was only 38w 4d and he was 8lbs 14oz with an enormous head. I did have a vaginal delivery, so I was thankful for that, but swore I would never be induced again

DD was late and they pressured me to schedule an induction because she was looking big and I refused. SHe was born at 41w, 9lbs 7oz and delivery was a breeze. Three big pushes and she was out, my recovery was amazing - nothing like with DS

I know this baby is big and I was seriously considering induction if it came up this time around. My OB hasn't mentioned it but he has talked about this being a big baby. But I decided I am not going to worry about it. MAYBE if I am at or past my due date and have progressed, I will consider it.

I know it's a crazy time, you kind of want to be done being pg but want to have the best deliver possible. I want to do whatever will prevent me from having a cs. Good luck whatever you decide!

sophie206 · July 2013

holz:
DS1, they estimated to be 10lbs. A week before my EDD the doctor sat me down and told me he wanted to induce. I refused and he was born at 40w3d weighing 8lbs11oz. DS2 measured ahead my whole pregnancy. I carried him lower and bigger and was sure he was going to be bigger than his brother. Before his EDD one ultrasound tech told me there was no way I'd be able to birth him naturally, while another told me there was no way he'd be as big as his brother. I went to 42w and be was 8lbs9oz. As you can imagine, I'm a little skeptical of the measurements... Believe me, I know all about being done in those last few weeks, so do all the spicy foods and such you want, but I wouldn't waste any headspace worrying about the baby's size. Good luck!

Thanks! Good to hear that they often over-estimate and you had successful post due-date deliveries!

sophie206 · July 2013

eaglesfan700:
I am going through the same thing! I had a freak out over it a couple weeks ago, but I have come down and am just going to see what happens.
I was induced early with DS because of an abnormal NST (unnecessarily, IMO - but it was my first so I didn't know to say no, I was scared) from nothing and it was horrible. The induction started on a Monday and he wasn't born until Wed morning. I was only 38w 4d and he was 8lbs 14oz with an enormous head. I did have a vaginal delivery, so I was thankful for that, but swore I would never be induced again
DD was late and they pressured me to schedule an induction because she was looking big and I refused. SHe was born at 41w, 9lbs 7oz and delivery was a breeze. Three big pushes and she was out, my recovery was amazing - nothing like with DS
I know this baby is big and I was seriously considering induction if it came up this time around. My OB hasn't mentioned it but he has talked about this being a big baby. But I decided I am not going to worry about it. MAYBE if I am at or past my due date and have progressed, I will consider it.
I know it's a crazy time, you kind of want to be done being pg but want to have the best deliver possible. I want to do whatever will prevent me from having a cs. Good luck whatever you decide!

Thanks! I can't believe how close we are to the finish line! Yay! Hope you're doing well!

My doctor is not big on interventions, so I am not anticipating him wanting to schedule an induction--at least not until after due date. He did mention stretching my membranes if I am at all dilated tomorrow. (I was firm and closed last appt) I'd really like to go into labor on my own, so I'm hoping he's on-board with waiting it out for now. My fluid is also on the lower end of normal so I'm sure he's going to take that into consideration, as well, though.

nosoup4u · July 2013

I had a VBAC with a 10 lb 10 oz, 23.5 in baby. Had a second degree tear, but was an easy recovery anyway. My first was two pounds and inches smaller, and ended in a c section.

You've done a vaginal birth before, so your chances are very good that you'll be able to birth a larger baby. Stay upright in labor as long as you can, and refuse those sizing ultrasounds! Good luck, you'll be fine!!

emriley84 · July 2013

I had gestational diabetes on insulin, so I had growth u/s weekly towards the end. They estimated DS to be 8#7oz at 37 weeks. At 39, they couldn't give me a weight he was "off the charts". His head, abdomen and femur were measuring 42 weeks at 39 weeks. My 1st DS was 8#15oz, vaginal delivery, but he was a shoulder dystocia. After discussing my options, we decided to have a C-section. He was born 8#7oz. I definitely could have had him vaginally, but it is what it is.

penguingrrl · July 2013

sophie206:
eaglesfan700:
I am going through the same thing! I had a freak out over it a couple weeks ago, but I have come down and am just going to see what happens.
I was induced early with DS because of an abnormal NST (unnecessarily, IMO - but it was my first so I didn't know to say no, I was scared) from nothing and it was horrible. The induction started on a Monday and he wasn't born until Wed morning. I was only 38w 4d and he was 8lbs 14oz with an enormous head. I did have a vaginal delivery, so I was thankful for that, but swore I would never be induced again
DD was late and they pressured me to schedule an induction because she was looking big and I refused. SHe was born at 41w, 9lbs 7oz and delivery was a breeze. Three big pushes and she was out, my recovery was amazing - nothing like with DS
I know this baby is big and I was seriously considering induction if it came up this time around. My OB hasn't mentioned it but he has talked about this being a big baby. But I decided I am not going to worry about it. MAYBE if I am at or past my due date and have progressed, I will consider it.
I know it's a crazy time, you kind of want to be done being pg but want to have the best deliver possible. I want to do whatever will prevent me from having a cs. Good luck whatever you decide!
Thanks! I can't believe how close we are to the finish line! Yay! Hope you're doing well!
My doctor is not big on interventions, so I am not anticipating him wanting to schedule an induction--at least not until after due date. He did mention stretching my membranes if I am at all dilated tomorrow. (I was firm and closed last appt) I'd really like to go into labor on my own, so I'm hoping he's on-board with waiting it out for now. My fluid is also on the lower end of normal so I'm sure he's going to take that into consideration, as well, though.

One other thing I'll throw in. Because I was a VBAC we were limited on induction methods and I had to at least dilate enough to use a foley bulb induction or had to have a c section. The week I was checked Sun (in the hospital, spent the weekend being monitored) and was closed up tight, checked Monday (in the office) and still nothing. Tuesday night DH and I had sex and Wednesday at the office I was 3 cm! I was so relieved since had I still been closed up we likely would have had to just schedule a section.

Minipenguin · July 2013

Those things can be way off. I had DD at 41w3d and I went to the office while I was in labor. They told me that she was still measuring behind, barely 37weeks, and that they had every reason to believe she was healthy but that she would be tiny. She was 8lbs 10 oz. I wouldn't put too much stock in what they say. Good luck!!!

susanmosley · July 2013

I AM SO EXCITED TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE 38 WEEKS!!!!!!! YAY SOPHIE, so SO SO very happy for you.

My baby (this last one) was smaller than my MFM measured and I went to term. They were saying 8+ lbs at 37 weeks, he was 7 lbs, 12 oz. I guess there is no real way to know. Good luck and hang in there. So happy she will be here soon!!

roxy_jj · July 2013

DS was 9lbs 5 oz and my doctor had predicted that he would be about 9 and a half pounds, so dr. was very close. I know those predictions can be way off, so I wouldn't worry too much. Like you said, your body knows what it's doing. My daughter was a preemie and was half the size of DS and giving birth to my big baby and small one really wasn't any different. Also, I had a much easier recovery the second time even with DS being so much bigger.

Arielle27 · July 2013

They are always wrong. My first was supposed to be 50th percentile. He was born at 40 weeks at 9 pounds. My second was supposed to be 50th percentile. She was born at 37.5 weeks under 6 pounds.

ChristyML · July 2013

Well, I was "supposed" to have a tiny baby (no more than 7 lbs), but DS was almost 8lbs, so I know OBs can be very wrong. I pushed him out just fine (with the help of a vacuum assist, but that was just because the epidural stalled my labor and I was exhausted from being pregnant and from pushing for more than 2.5 hours).

kcisthebombdotcom · July 2013

U/s were way off for me. They told me my 10lber was going to be 7lbs and my 7.5lber was going to be over 9lbs. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.