Ultrasound size compared to delivery size

Katrina919

I was told two weeks ago my baby is 7.5lb give or take a pound. They are doing another ultrasound tomorrow to check her size. I am due on Sept 19th and they want to make sure we shouldn't just go ahead and schedule a csection instead.

To those who have had ultrasounds in their final month, how accurate or close was the measurements/weight?

els831

I had an ultrasound at 36w4d and baby was also weighing 7.5 lbs. In no way will I be scheduling a c-section over this! I urge you to read/research about giving birth to "big babies" and about how unreliable these late ultrasounds are. Check out birthmatters website for really good information. I'm still planning on an all natural, med free birth and will only head toward c-section if things aren't going well for me or baby.

kheitic4

I've had 2 NST ultra sounds this week (for high BP I'm 39 weeks) and they were like 30minutes long and the techs both said they're not even allowed to tell me how big the baby is at this point because at the end it's so inaccurate. They can predict and be off by up to 2 lbs.

chelseajeanene

At 36 weeks my growth scan measured him at 7 lbs even. He was born 2 weeks later weighing 6 lbs 14.9 oz

kheitic4

When I had my son the day before I had him the doctor felt around my stomach with her hands checking if he was head down and etc and she said "this is a 7lb baby" and left the room. I gave birth to him the next day and he was 7lb 1oz! But that wasn't ultra sound lol

morgy_bee

They induced my sister early because of large size. She ended up having a 7 lb baby, not 9 lbs...... Late U/S are really unreliable and I would not schedule a C-section over it.

blondehairblueeyeditalianbaby

I had an ultrasound at 37 w 4 days and she measured 7 lbs. the midwife felt my stomach during labor and guessed 7 1/2 lbs. She came out weighing 8 lbs 1 oz. I was 39 weeks when she was born.

jkjdd

In had an ultrasound at 40 weeks one day. My son was estimated to be 9 pounds, 2 ounces. He was born at 40 weeks, 6 days at 9 pounds, 1 ounces. Pretty close I'd say!

str13

The US can be right on, but typically they are not. I'd at least ask the doctor if you could have a trial of labor, instead of having to schedule a c-section.
My last US was damn close, but for every story like that there are other mommas that it was pretty far off.

CEW225

The ultrasound showed 6lb 13oz at 38 weeks. The doctor estimated more along the lines of 6.5lbs give or take. She was 4 days late (born yesterday) and was 6lb 15oz. We figured she might have been a litthe bigger based on the fact that she was late, so the ultrasound was definitely not accurate unless she only gained 2 oz in 2.5 weeks.

ginaannechelan

I'm due the same day as you (the 19th) and just left my appointment. Though my Dr didn't do an ultrasound he really felt around and thought little guy is about 7 lbs. This didn't worry him. I'm 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced.

Honestly, unless there's another pressing medical issue, I wouldn't schedule a c section. I've heard the weight can vary greatly from the Drs estimate to birth weight.

PregNancyClark

One contributing factor to our son's surgical birth was an inaccurate (sonogram) weight estimate. They said 9lb 2oz and scared us. (I'm a small boned woman - people refer to me as tiny).
We induced a week later, and the process failed. We had a c section after going into distress and he was 7lb 9oz.... A perfectly average size.

WDDCH

A big baby is not a medical reason to have a cesarean.

May14th2011

They told me my daughter would be at least 8lbs, she was born at 39 weeks weighing a hefty 5lbs 14oz.
This baby was measured at 5lbs, and when he came 3 weeks later was 6lbs 12oz.
Ultrasounds are not reliable, and big babies are not a good reason for a c-section. I would not let them force you into a c-section, I would personally fight to at least try for a vaginal birth.
I have a friend who delivered a 10lb baby at home, pain-med free- so it's possible. Don't let them scare you into doing something you don't want.

2chihuahuas

At 38 weeks I was told my baby was 7 lbs, 15 oz. I had him today via c-section (vaginal wasn't working) and he was 8 lbs 10 oz.

lauraf2187

I was told I was having a 9 and a half pound baby. She ended up being 7lbs 8oz. Weight estimations in utero are nitrous for being wrong. I definitely wouldn't schedule a cs.

AmandaNacora

I had an ultrasound two days before I gave birth they estimated 6 lbs 4 oz and she was exactly that

Boobopgirl

I have known a number of people who's docs told them baby was "too big" to be born vaginally based on ultrasounds only to have a csection and find out baby was 8 lb or less.  I'd be pretty unhappy about that if it was me, just sayin'.

thinkpink101

They estimate mated my LO to be 8lbs at 38 weeks. He was born weighing 8lbs 10 oz at 39+2.

troopersmom

Ultrasound said 5.5 and he was 5.10

RosieStadj

My 35 week said 7 lbs & 10 oz. I delivered at 38+6 @ 8 lbs & 8 oz.

TracyYoung819

I have an ultrasound tomorrow at 38 weeks. My doctor is cool though because she doesn't make any assumptions one way or the other unless there is serious medical evidence. No decisions about birth are due from the ultrasound.

At 29 weeks my guy weighed 4lbs, and measured big. However, she said there are a lot of factors playing into the ultrasound weight whether it's actual weight, amniotic fluid, or his positioning. Personally I think he is long legged and you can see it on the 20 week ultrasound. I think he has dropped but can also feel kicks higher. I think he may be big, but I'm not banking on the ultrasound weight. Its fun guessing about it instead of worrying about it. Tomorrow will tell if my guesses are somewhat on as we have ultrasound followed by doc apt.

So, anyway, my doc said depending on 38 week ultrasound with 29 week weight in play if he's a certain weight we may have to have a c-section doc on standby (I guess she doesn't do them?) But we will still try things naturally because birthing big babies isn't unusual.

Don't take docs word without asking your own questions if that's not what you want. Reference that you have read ultrasounds aren't always accurate. Be empowered, not overpowered!

jnlebean23

I was told during biophysical ultrasound that baby was about 7.1 lbs at 38w6ds. At birth he ended up being 7lbs 5oz 39w3ds

Texascat

My 37w ultrasound estimated he would be 8lbs 12oz at full term, but my 40w2d ultrasound estimated him at 9lbs even. NO ONE believed it could be true. I delivered a 9lb 7oz baby at 40w6d and while I did have to push for a while and did tear, I didn't know the difference bc I am a FTM. I'm recovering normally and labor was pleasant. I refused to be scared by the big baby hype and was SO happy to avoid a c section. Good luck!!

AshleyMB86

My 38 week appt baby was estimated at 7lb 2 oz. I delivered last night at 39w2d and he was 8 lbs even.

Katrina919

Thank you for all the responses. At my practice I see all the drs. I unfortunately saw the alarmist last time because they switched it last minute and one time before that. She was telling me about broken baby shoulder or emergency csection. I made sure to see the experienced dr who is more experienced. He said he always wants you to try first, which was good. I made sure to bring that up to the alarmist dr , I want to see what happens first. My fluid level is abundant, and she is healthy in there. Just annoying about this one dr, ftm I don't need extra worry. I love my practice just not this one dr...watch she will be the one who delivers my baby.

Elizabeth043086

With my second, they did an ultrasound in the delivery room to make sure he was head down and she guess his exact weight.  With my first a few weeks before he was born they guessed 5 lbs 7 oz and he was 5lbs 15 oz at birth.  so for me, spot on really.

raspell

Overall, the estimates can be off by at least a pound. Also, a "big" baby is really no reason for an office to push you into being induced or having a c-section. Unless that is what YOU want, I would avoid it. Your body is made to handle this and you will do fine.

If it helps any, my "little" boy has been three weeks or more ahead this entire pregnancy. They are estimating him at at least 10lbs if I make it full term. I am scheduled for a c-section, but only because he is also complete breech presentation and they've done everything they can to get him to turn.

Knottie89103461

I was lucky enough to have my baby's weight off by just ONE ounce! But yet again, my darling was born at 36+2, still quite early. At 6Ibs 10oz.

ReneeJ2011

At 35+3 an ultrasound with the maternal fetal medicine doctor showed my little man to be 5#13 oz he was born 3 days later and weighed 5#1.3oz. So pretty close but that was way off for this MD usually he is within 2oz even in the 3rd trimester.

smiversen

I didn't have an ultrasound but my doc estimated low 7 lb baby. Even while pushing the other doc (mine wasn't on call) and nurses were guessing and they said 7 lb 2 oz and another said 6 lb 9 oz. he ended up being 8 lb 9 oz!!! Surprised everyone lol still not sure how he fit in me. I was pretty small

St3ph4ni3

I was told my son was 7.5 pounds from an ultrasound at 37 weeks. Ended up with a c-section at 38 weeks due to pre-e and he was 6 lb 4.7 ounces.

camaguire21

Being induced today due to growth concerns. Doctors last prediction was 5.5lbs so we shall see

maiatene

I was told my baby would be 7ish pounds and he came out almost 10lbs! I I pushed him out normally but I did have a 2nd degree tear. It's crazy how some of your doctors are quick to do a c-section if your baby is an ounce over 6lbs! They all get a side eye from me because that screams lazy and I would rather be golfing to me...

seamonkey4

My sizing sono at 38+6 said 7 pounds even, delivered today at 40+1 and she was 6 pounds 15 oz. so actually fairly close, though it would have been slightly off had I delivered when the sono was done.

BrittnieMariee

I had a growth scan done earlier today and they've estimated his weight to be 7.5 lbs. We will find out how close they were in the next week. We scheduled our induction for next Wednesday due to my GD. I will be exactly 39 weeks then, but still hoping he decides to come on his own before then!

AksanaAnais

LO weighs 8oz less than ultrasound depicted. Pretty darn close.

amp61470

At my 36 week 4 day Scan they said 7lbs. He weighed in at 7.11 at 38w 6d. So I was expecting an 8lb baby so it was close. I was going to be induced at 39w 2 days so we were pretty close.

Boobopgirl

I have also heard that somehow with the way it works that the farther your baby is from average, the more likely they are to be off by a bigger margin.

shelbydd

Based on my 35 week u/s and the estimated 1/2lb a week that baby gains near the end my little dude was estimated at 7lbs 13oz at 39 weeks (I had him at 39 weeks) he came out at 8lbs even. So it was pretty accurate.

ymcadance

I had an ultrasound the day DS1 was born, and it had said 8 lbs 1 oz, he was 7 lbs even. To me, that is a big difference and makes it seem silly they even tell us at all! If it can be off by up to two pounds, are they just picking random numbers?