Large for gestational age

oceanangel0502

I had an ultrasound today to confirm that our LO was actually Large for gestational age and he is. I am 35 weeks, he's measuring 8 lb 1 oz and about 40 weeks. The doctor wasn't there for me to talk to today and the tech said she will have him call me but now I can't help but wory about him. If he's already measuring that big how is he supposed to stay in there for another 5 weeks?!?
Anyone else have experience with LGA babies?

KTdid81

Sizing ultrasounds can be an entire pound off.  7 lbs at 35 weeks is still a little large.....maybe your EDD was off.  I understand your worry.  It will be ok.

AriaAmante143

At 36 weeks my baby was already over 8 lbs (cant remember the exact number of oz) and at 38 weeks she was 9 lbs 2 oz. My doctor let me know that those numbers can be off by a pound in either direction, but my LO will be coming at 39 weeks because of her size, as well as a few other factors that don't really have to do with your situation.

I would just talk to your doctor. They will know the best course of action.

erinsullivan427

I don't have experience with this but my cousin was induced because she was told her baby would be over 10 lbs... He was only 6 when he was born. Way off. Late ultrasounds can be really unreliable. Hope you find some peace after talking to your doctor!

oceanangel0502

Thanks guys. I'm thinking it may be quite accurate bc 2 weeks ago he was measuring 37 weeks when I was 33 and now 40 weeks and I'm only 35. I am looking forward to hearing from my doctor about what he's planning. I really don't want to have a c section, but as long as baby is happy and healthy I'll be ok with it!

Jcor84

erinsullivan427 said:

I don't have experience with this but my cousin
was induced because she was told her baby would be over 10 lbs... He was only 6 when he was born. Way off. Late ultrasounds can be really unreliable. Hope you find some peace after talking to your doctor!

I'm in the same situation right now, and this makes me feel better!

VineyardMel

I would ask for specific measurements of the head, shoulders and abdomen. Those are a much more reliable indicator of the potential issues for vaginal birth than just weight. You could have a long skinny baby who gets a high weight estimate just because he or she has long legs. Or you could have a baby with large head and shoulders that could be more of an issue. My DD was 10lbs, 1oz born at 39wks and I'm SO glad I had a section--but I still didn't believe she's actually be as large as predicted.

ETA: we knew there was a size concern when her head measured 37wks at a 32wk u/s.

ErinE683

My baby was measuring big at my 32 week u/s. I asked my doctor about what point they would push towards alternatives like a c-section, and she said they wouldn't worry about anything like that unless it appeared the baby was over 11 pounds. I'm pretty hopeful that won't be the case. I'm supposed to have a growth scan at 37 weeks, though my baby is also currently breech, so it might not even matter!

sebullows

I posted yesterday on the dumb questions thread.. My dr told me yesterday she thinks he's already 9lb at least (I am 37+4 today). She has me coming in for a weight US on Tuesday and said she wants to discuss c section if he's too big. A lot of the women that replied said it can be off by many pounds, and one of them sent me to a great website discussing babies estimated to be huge but ending up being 5-6lb (big eye opener for me). However, as PP said, my baby has also been measuring very large my entire pregnancy according to US. I have borderline GD, very small frame, and hip displasia so these are some things to consider. After these women's replies and a lot of research, I have decided that unless the US says he's at least 11lb I won't be opting for a c section. Good luck!

crystaljoanna

VineyardMel said:

I would ask for specific measurements of the head, shoulders and abdomen. Those are a much more reliable indicator of the potential issues for vaginal birth than just weight. You could have a long skinny baby who gets a high weight estimate just because he or she has long legs. Or you could have a baby with large head and shoulders that could be more of an issue. My DD was 10lbs, 1oz born at 39wks and I'm SO glad I had a section--but I still didn't believe she's actually be as large as predicted.

ETA: we knew there was a size concern when her head measured 37wks at a 32wk u/s.

So this - the specific measurements are more important. My little (or I guess big) guy has a belly measuring in the 97 th percentile which puts him in the macrosomia category which is due to diabetes. The rest of him is measuring normally. I am doing a c section because of the GD complication plus the belly size.

ufsandra85

crystaljoanna said:

VineyardMel said:

I would ask for specific measurements of the head, shoulders and abdomen. Those are a much more reliable indicator of the potential issues for vaginal birth than just weight. You could have a long skinny baby who gets a high weight estimate just because he or she has long legs. Or you could have a baby with large head and shoulders that could be more of an issue. My DD was 10lbs, 1oz born at 39wks and I'm SO glad I had a section--but I still didn't believe she's actually be as large as predicted.

ETA: we knew there was a size concern when her head measured 37wks at a 32wk u/s.

So this - the specific measurements are more important. My little (or I guess big) guy has a belly measuring in the 97 th percentile which puts him in the macrosomia category which is due to diabetes. The rest of him is measuring normally. I am doing a c section because of the GD complication plus the belly size.

My boy's belly measured in the 97th percentile too and they asked me if i had gd but when i was tested i didn't. I also had high amniotic fluid which is an indication. I'm going to ask my doctor about this today

JKS21

I was told this week that my baby at 35 weeks is 7lbs. And that it can vary by a pound either way. My doc didn't seem concerned - I already have a planned C-section so it is what it is. Who knows what size the baby will really be  

 

My son was 8lb9oz about 4 days early - so I am right on track to be right around there. 

jfb29

I had my 35 wk appt today. The OB I saw is the one who always measures my fundal height around 3 weeks ahead (at 31 weeks she measured me at 34'weeks, OB I saw at 33 weeks measured me right at 33 weeks, and today I was at 38 weeks). So they are doing a growth scan next week. I did have an NST today bc she thought she heard something on the Doppler but it was nothing and said the NST was as perfect as it could be. Only extra thing is the growth scan...

lalaith50

In case you all haven't seen this, but the ACOG released new guidelines a couple days ago, trying to decrease the number of c-sections. 

Here's a pretty good summary -

https://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=7958

And you can read in the longer original here https://www.acog.org/Resources_And_Publications/Obstetric_Care_Consensus_Series/Safe_Prevention_of_the_Primary_Cesarean_Delivery

that they don't recommend inductions for "large babies" (Macrosomia) unless the baby is estimated to be ELEVEN pounds.

VineyardMel

I think it's much more complex than a weight estimate. And my ten pounder was ginormous--I am so glad I didn't push her out!!

akg121

Good luck and don't stress!  My 1st (DD) was 42 weeks 8lb11oz and 22.5 inches, I pushed for 15 minutes.  They estimated my 2nd (DS) to be 9lb8oz at 40 weeks and he was 10lb2oz and I pushed for 5 min.  I am 36 weeks, baby is already estimated at 8lb.  I am not worried, doc is not worried, our bodies are pretty amazing.  :-)  Also worth mentioning I am 5'9 and DH is 6'0 so we aren't extraordinarily large, I have never had GD, we just make big long babies.  

rockopera

@lalaith50 Thanks for those links!  Seriously, I totally needed them right now.

I've been measuring ahead 3-4 by fundal height.  So we had an ultrasound yesterday and am measuring ahead about the same amount.  Estimates are that baby is 7 lbs at 35 weeks, and doc brought up potential c-section.  Not to worry about right now, but may be a possibility. I'm loving the new recommendations and they're helping me do my research and come up with my questions for the next few weeks.   

sebullows

It's a huge decision to make. I'm struggling with it right now. Thoughts and prayers to you in choosing what's best for y'all!

carelour

I wouldn't worry; my friend was told her baby was close to 9lbs. When she delivered, her baby girl was 6.5 lbs.

hollyann357

some babies are just big...I've known women that carried to term just fine giving birth to 10lb babies.. not to say that your baby will be that big..but any DR will tell you that every woman is different,and babies can tend to vary with their growth spurts,with my high risk,at Children's,they said that they want to keep an eye on my baby's growth cause i might have a small one...1,both sides have had mostly 6 pounders,2,when i was there they told me he's 12 oz and everything i've read about babies this week,is bout 7-10 oz..i wouldnt worry,but if it makes you feel better get a hold of your DR for reassurance..good luck with everything

oceanangel0502

Thanks for everyone's responses! I spoke to the perinatologist on Monday and he now wants me to go for a nst test every week and have another ultrasound at 38 weeks. The doctor said my fluid levels are also high which he is concerned with. It seems neither the OB or the perinatologist foresee me having a vaginal delivery. But we shall see what the 38 week ultrasound shows I suppose.
My doctor has never once checked my fundal height. He just goes by ultrasound.

Babykawash

I have to admit, I'm slightly jealous that all you ladies are getting scans....I only had the NT scan at 12 wk and anatomy scan at 19 weeks. Doc said I won't be getting anymore, guess I just have to be patient! Would love to have a sense of her size tho, that way I could buy more clothes