Giant Baby

Ktrego

Hi there!  I'm 31 weeks pregnant with a little girl and just had another ultrasound a couple days ago.  Apparently my baby girl is already 5 lbs!!  My doctor actually called her a "giant."  I was only 6 lbs when I was born.  Crazy!

Anyway, is anyone else going through this?  Or Second Time Moms - have you had experience with a "big" baby?  Did you deliver vaginally?

THANKS!

BabyRN2009

Yep. Both my girls were exactly where your LO is at...~5lbs at 31 weeks. I had several u/s with them and they both gained 1/2 pound a week in the third tri. DD1 was 8-14 at 39w when she was born, DD2 was 8-11 at 38w at birth. Both vaginal deliveries (neither of them were induced). :-)

Drgn30

My baby is also appx. 5 lbs at 31 weeks. My OB scheduled me for a more detailed ultrasound with a high risk OB to get an accurate measurement.  Ultrasounds are notoriously inaccurate when it comes to measuring baby.  I wouldn't worry about it yet.

AlwaysForgetful

I sadly know nothing of vaginal birth. I have never been lucky that way. The only contribution is my 5'2 mother gave birth (vaginally) to 2 10lb some odd oz babies and had little to no tearing. I am told she contributed this to my younger brother and I were not her first babies and she literally told the Dr. off and labored how SHE felt like it. As in whatever position she wanted. My dad confirmed that she was very.... forceful with her wished and he backed her up.  

I know there was someone on a different group I am on who refused the Csection for her 9lb+ baby that her Dr said she needed due to size. She gave birth vaginally.

Edited in: I remember where now. The Doula I know was talking about a birth for a mom she had. She (the Doula) was on the mothers side and helped fend off the Dr.

kimba1976

I was told my daughter weighted about the same at that point in my first pregnancy and that she would be about about a 9 pound baby. She was born weighing 7 pounds exactly. I had an ultrasound on Tuesday and was told this baby is already 4 pounds and that I could expect him/her to gain about half a pound a week for the duration. Who knows...I don't put too much stock in measurements done this early. As @Drgn30 said, they are notoriously inaccurate. 

Mead2142

My son was 9.5 when he was born and my doctor didn't say anything about thinking he was big until I was walking back to my C-section. He was breech stuck under my ribs so I don't have experience with vaginal birth. I haven't gotten a chance to ask my dr what she thinks baby girl will be this time around.

My best friend did give birth vaginally to a 10.2 baby and I was in the room. Honestly it didn't seem to be any different than if she had been 8lbs.  

soulcupcake

I like them bigger. My eldest daughter was estimated to weigh 4 lbs., 3 oz at 30 weeks, and 6 lbs., 4oz at 33 weeks. Then at 37w6d the estimate was 8 lbs., 15 oz and "long." I also measured large for dates due to her being LGA and having mild polyhydramnios. I had her roughly 8 hours after that ultrasound and she was 9 lbs.

I had a lot of ultrasounds during the last 8 weeks with her -- BPPs and NSTs. I only had a couple ultrasounds in the third trimester with my second daughter, and the weight estimate was pretty spot on. The tech got 8 lbs. 4 oz at 38 weeks, and she was 8 lbs., 9 oz at 39. My last u/s with my youngest was at 31ish weeks, and it estimated him to be 4.5 lbs. He was 9 lbs at 39w2d. My midwife and I guessed 9 lbs, too.

And this time I was given a similar estimate at 30 weeks, around 4 lbs. So I'm expecting another 9 pounder between 38-39 weeks, and possibly closer to 10 if I get to 40-41 weeks.

DoctorWorm222

DD#1 always seemed to measure on the larger side, so I was planning for a big baby. She came out 6lbs8oz.

BLH2014

I won't be having any more ultrasounds unless there's a medical reason so I've got idea how the baby is measuring (other than consistently a bit ahead via fundal measurement), but my mom had 4 big babies (2 of us over 9lb, the other 2 over 10lb).  I figure it's best to prepare myself mentally for a big one and if she's smaller, it's a pleasant surprise.  I'll be doing whatever I can to deliver vaginally.

BLH2014

 

BLH2014 said:

I won't be having any more ultrasounds unless there's a medical reason so I've got idea how the baby is measuring (other than consistently a bit ahead via fundal measurement), but my mom had 4 big babies (2 of us over 9lb, the other 2 over 10lb).  I figure it's best to prepare myself mentally for a big one and if she's smaller, it's a pleasant surprise.  I'll be doing whatever I can to deliver vaginally.

For some reason I can't edit...I just want to reiterate to say I have *NO* idea how she is measuring.

CandEChicago

Ktrego said:

Hi there!  I'm 31 weeks pregnant with a little girl and just had another ultrasound a couple days ago.  Apparently my baby girl is already 5 lbs!!  My doctor actually called her a "giant."  I was only 6 lbs when I was born.  Crazy!

Anyway, is anyone else going through this?  Or Second Time Moms - have you had experience with a "big" baby?  Did you deliver vaginally?

THANKS!

Did you talk to your doctor about birth options and what might be available and or recommend as you get closer to your due date?

Ktrego

danisgossipgirl said:

Have you been measuring big by fundal height too? Just saying, a single ultrasound measurement (as opposed to a few to compare to, or in combination with fundal measurements) as a single data point can be off by 10%. I know in my time on the NB board, there have been many moms with bigger babies (9-10lb range) who not only delivered vaginally, but also without meds. ACOG guidelines do not recommend induction or prophylactic cesarean until over 11lbs unless GD is a concern so that's something to keep in mind. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0701/p169.html  

My fundal height is measuring "right on target" but I am pretty tall so my doc said the baby could be "hiding" in there.  I have had ultrasounds about every 6 weeks all along (they originally thought I was high risk, but not anymore) and she has always measured a little big.

Thanks for sharing that link - very good to know!!!

Ktrego

CandEChicago said:

Hi there!  I'm 31 weeks pregnant with a little girl and just had another ultrasound a couple days ago.  Apparently my baby girl is already 5 lbs!!  My doctor actually called her a "giant."  I was only 6 lbs when I was born.  Crazy!

Anyway, is anyone else going through this?  Or Second Time Moms - have you had experience with a "big" baby?  Did you deliver vaginally?

THANKS!

Did you talk to your doctor about birth options and what might be available and or recommend as you get closer to your due date?

I have another ultrasound scheduled at 37 weeks, and at that time my doctor said we will "weigh our options."  She did say there is a chance for C-Section if I am showing no progression of labor at that point and if the baby measures very large again.  

I hate that it is all "not an exact science" and that she could actually come out small.  It would be kind of a bummer to have a C-Section and then realize that she is only 7 lbs.  Oh well - at this point there is nothing I can do so I'm just going to try to go with the flow.

nolanova85

My 28 week ultrasound (placenta check) and fundal height measurement both showed baby about 2 weeks ahead and estimated weight of 4 and a quarter.  They initially scheduled me for another growth check at 32 weeks but decided to push it to 36 weeks to get a better guage.  

There have been a few threads about this.  I'm prepared to push back a little if the practice tries to push me into scheduling a c-section just for size alone.  It seems like there are plenty of examples of overestimation on weight.

byrne15

ds#2 was measuring "huge" at 39 weeks he was estimated at 9.5 lbs. He was born 5 days later and actually weighed 7lbs 11oz. He just had a giant head which threw off the measurement.

xc1148

My friend's doctor said her baby was over 10 pounds and they "had" to do a c-section....baby was 8lbs. There is no 100% accurate way to tell, like other people have said it's good to measure fundal height and have several data points to compare.

BLH2014

Ktrego said:

I hate that it is all "not an exact science" and that she could actually come out small.  It would be kind of a bummer to have a C-Section and then realize that she is only 7 lbs.  Oh well - at this point there is nothing I can do so I'm just going to try to go with the flow.

Well, you can absolutely decline a C-section!  ACOG doesn't recommend induction or C-section for babies under 11 pounds (assuming no GD).  Other complications notwithstanding, you are within every right to decline a C-section and say you'd prefer to wait to go into labor naturally.

neonsun0419

My DS measured big, and was big 9lb 7oz delivered vaginally. The most reassuring advice I got during the final weeks with him came from one of the MW of the practice - she asked my shoe size. Bigger feet mean bigger hips. Talk to your doctor if you are worried.

rshamos

I'm in the same boat. LO measured big two u/s in a row. I went to a specialist yesterday for a better measurement and to check blood flow. She wasn't concerned for me, except his gigantic head. My OB and I went through all of our options and are going to try to do it vaginally. Hopefully there's nothing to worry about for you too!

AlwaysForgetful

BLH2014 said: (other than consistently a bit ahead via fundal measurement), 

Fundal height does not necessarily mean the baby is larger. I was measuring 4-7 weeks ahead with #5. Now, she was not one of my 8lb 3oz babies, but she was not my largest baby either. And I never measured more than 1-2 weeks ahead with any of the others, but with her, I know I was at 30 weeks, maybe even at 28 weeks (to lazy to go back to O13 to check). In #5's case, I just had a lot of extra fluid. No GD or anything. 

And yes, my #3 was said to be larger than he was. They thought via ultrasound that he was going to be closer to a 9 1/2-10lb baby,... he was one of my "smaller" 8lb 3oz babies. 

brownmouse

Just want to add, that after an ultrasound at 36 weeks with DD, I was told she would likely be over 9lbs, more like 10.... She came out 6lbs 9oz. Those ultrasounds are notorious for being wrong.

MrsNash37212

Ktrego said:

CandEChicago said:

Ktrego said:

Hi there!  I'm 31 weeks pregnant with a little girl and just had another ultrasound a couple days ago.  Apparently my baby girl is already 5 lbs!!  My doctor actually called her a "giant."  I was only 6 lbs when I was born.  Crazy!

Anyway, is anyone else going through this?  Or Second Time Moms - have you had experience with a "big" baby?  Did you deliver vaginally?

THANKS!

Did you talk to your doctor about birth options and what might be available and or recommend as you get closer to your due date?

I have another ultrasound scheduled at 37 weeks, and at that time my doctor said we will "weigh our options."  She did say there is a chance for C-Section if I am showing no progression of labor at that point and if the baby measures very large again.  

I hate that it is all "not an exact science" and that she could actually come out small.  It would be kind of a bummer to have a C-Section and then realize that she is only 7 lbs.  Oh well - at this point there is nothing I can do so I'm just going to try to go with the flow.

--------------------------------
Quote box fail

What does your doctor mean by progression of labor by 37 weeks? If she's talking about dilation and/or effacement, she needs to read up on current research. Neither of those things mean a darn thing. You can walk around several cm dilated for weeks or you can go from 0-10 in a matter of hours. I was 0cm, 0% effaced, with a posterior cervix at 39 weeks and I went into active labor on my own 48 hours later. Your OB sounds c-section happy to me.

ColeyCannoli

MrsNash37212 said:

CandEChicago said:

Hi there!  I'm 31 weeks pregnant with a little girl and just had another ultrasound a couple days ago.  Apparently my baby girl is already 5 lbs!!  My doctor actually called her a "giant."  I was only 6 lbs when I was born.  Crazy!

Anyway, is anyone else going through this?  Or Second Time Moms - have you had experience with a "big" baby?  Did you deliver vaginally?

THANKS!

Did you talk to your doctor about birth options and what might be available and or recommend as you get closer to your due date?

I have another ultrasound scheduled at 37 weeks, and at that time my doctor said we will "weigh our options."  She did say there is a chance for C-Section if I am showing no progression of labor at that point and if the baby measures very large again.  

I hate that it is all "not an exact science" and that she could actually come out small.  It would be kind of a bummer to have a C-Section and then realize that she is only 7 lbs.  Oh well - at this point there is nothing I can do so I'm just going to try to go with the flow.

-------------------------------- Quote box fail What does your doctor mean by progression of labor by 37 weeks? If she's talking about dilation and/or effacement, she needs to read up on current research. Neither of those things mean a darn thing. You can walk around several cm dilated for weeks or you can go from 0-10 in a matter of hours. I was 0cm, 0% effaced, with a posterior cervix at 39 weeks and I went into active labor on my own 48 hours later. Your OB sounds c-section happy to me.

For real? They would be worried about progression at 37 weeks? I wouldn't trust a doctor that used the word "induce" before 41 (better 42) weeks, let alone "c-section." Unless your baby is showing signs of distress, being big is not often a reason for c-section (espeically considering how hit or miss those measurements are late in pregnancy). That sounds very iffy to me as both a mom-to-be and a med student. You might want a second opinion if it comes to that.

drpayne

brownmouse said:

Just want to add, that after an ultrasound at 36 weeks with DD, I was told she would likely be over 9lbs, more like 10.... She came out 6lbs 9oz. Those ultrasounds are notorious for being wrong.

And the ridiculous part is that doctors know this. Yet they still try to scare their patients.

trizzie

Yep.  I grow big babies.  DS was 8 lbs 8 oz 2 weeks early. DD was 9 lbs 13.5 oz, 2 weeks early.  This little one was 4 lbs at 28 weeks.  My ultrasound (high risk doctor - GD) was dead on with DS. The ultrasound at my OB for DD was off - they were way under.  I have c-sections.

OhBaby+2013

DS was 10 lbs 1 oz delivered vaginally. I oly had one ultrasound at 20 weeks and one at 40 weeks. At 20 weeks he was easy ring a week ahead so they changed my due date. He was born 1 day before my original due date, 6 days after my revised date. My OB believes this baby will be big too but not as big. I will have CS this time because DS did very significant damage to my body and had I known he would have been so big, or even estimated, I would have chosen a CS rather than what I ended up going through. Don't be scared by the U/S as many have said they are notoriously off.

BLH2014

AlwaysForgetful said:

BLH2014 said: (other than consistently a bit ahead via fundal measurement), 

Fundal height does not necessarily mean the baby is larger. I was measuring 4-7 weeks ahead with #5. Now, she was not one of my 8lb 3oz babies, but she was not my largest baby either. And I never measured more than 1-2 weeks ahead with any of the others, but with her, I know I was at 30 weeks, maybe even at 28 weeks (to lazy to go back to O13 to check). In #5's case, I just had a lot of extra fluid. No GD or anything. 

And yes, my #3 was said to be larger than he was. They thought via ultrasound that he was going to be closer to a 9 1/2-10lb baby,... he was one of my "smaller" 8lb 3oz babies. 

@alwaysforgetful -- Yeah, I realize fundal height isn't an accurate estimator for baby's size.  I guess my point was that I have no real evidence of how big my baby is, I can only guess that she MIGHT be big based on the fact that my mom had big babies (I was the small one at 9lb 2oz) and my husband was over 9lb too.  I won't be having any growth scans to find out, as the midwives I see don't do them as a standard and I won't be asking for one since I wouldn't consent to an induction or C-section recommendation based solely on the size of the baby anyway.