Trying not to freak out.. But failing!!

fierynut

Quick disclaimer - I know and am aware that ultrasound measurements are not exact and there is a margin of error.  I am taking that into account.

 Quick background - I have had 5 BPP in the last 7 weeks due to Pre-E (watching LOs growth and blood flow through his cord).  I do not have GD (was tested 2x and passed the 3 hr with flying colors).  At my first BPP at 32 weeks he was in the 90th percentile for size (large but no reason to be concerned off of one BPP), at my next BPP he was in the 80th percentile (still big but within acceptable limits).  My 3rd BPP at 35 weeks he was estimated at 6lbs 6oz (I don't remember the percentile) still big but no cause for concern.  At 37 weeks 4 days he was measuring back in the 90th percentile (8lbs 14oz).  I was then sent to a new OB due to his size and my Pre- E.  New doctor was not as concerned as my OB and said lets wait until Monday (this was last Thursday) and see repeat your NST (have those weekly for 7 weeks now) and the BPP.  Well I went for my NST on Monday and LO is doing great but the hospital couldn't do my BPP until today (my doctor wanted it sooner but whatever) so today at 38 weeks 6 days LO is estimated at 10lbs 15oz (which is greater than 99th percentile). 

Freak out - My LO is estimated to have grown by 2lbs in 9 days!  Even with the 1lb margin for error in either direction that is still a huge growth in just over one week.  My doctor and I have been discussing inducing me tomorrow after my appointment IF my cervix (which has been closed up tight) was more favorable.  I can't help but worry about 1.) why did/is he growing/gaining so much so fast?  Is there something wrong with my baby that dispite all the testing and watching of me and LO that we have undergone for the last 7 weeks they have missed? 2.)  If he is that big (even taking into account a 1lb margin for error) how am I going to push him out?  3.) What if my cervix isn't more favorable?  Will they try to induce and hope it works or because of his large size will they skip straight to c-section (which I am absolutely terrified of)?

I am trying to stay calm but it is really hard.  I can't help but feel that something is VERY wrong for him to have grown so much in the last few weeks.   The tech did call my doctor with a verbal report and was faxing the written report later today.  (She said she had to notify him immediately because when LOs measure over the 90th percentile they have to notify the ordering Dr immediately) He told her to tell me he would see me tomorrow for my appointment as scheduled.  I am freaking out!  I know she wasn't supposed to tell me (per policy) that LO is so big (and now I have a better understanding WHY)..  Anyone been in this boat?  Any words of encouragement?  Do you think it is possible to develope GD after passing the testing?  I am grasping at straws and avoiding "Dr. Google" because I fear what I may find that will freak me out more...

Drea1771

My best friend and I call this "pre-worrying". I totally understand your concern, don't get me wrong, I would be nervous as well. Try to look at it this way- you can't do anything about it right now. Take deep breaths and realize that your doctors are going to do what is best for you and baby. 

You will make decisions based on what is best for you and baby as well. There are things that they can do to make your cervix more favorable- my water broke with my first child at 36 weeks and I was not progressing AT ALL. They got me there, and although it was an intense labor induced with Pitocin, my son was born healthy and relatively quickly (8 hours).

You will be fine. If it happens to turn into a c/s, you will be fine after that too. It is not going to help you to worry right now, take a bath, get your SO to give you a back rub and take things one moment at a time. My thoughts are with you. 

KBBH

First, take a deep breath.  You WILL be okay.  There are several things to keep in mind during all of this.  I am going to try to calm you down because I was estimated to have a 9 lb 7 oz baby growing inside me, and that was at 38w.  Please know that after COUNTLESS conversations with my doctors, I have been assured that the ultrasounds have a margin of error, and I was told that they do tend to measure on the high end.  They can only tell so much by those ultrasounds.  Your child may have a larger than average head, or be longer than the "average" baby, and when they take those measurements into account, this is where they are estimating the weight from.  My doctor felt my belly in various places at my last appointment and told me that my baby is NOT that big.  She was very calm and said that we have to keep in mind the margin of error and that it can be a bit smaller.  A significant bit smaller.  That's the first thing to keep in mind.

Secondly, I asked my DH the same thing, because I was worried that there was something wrong with OUR LO.  I wanted to know if the weight it gained was because of something wrong with it.  (I know it's not 10 lbs 15 oz or 2 lbs in 1.5 weeks) but just the fact that it's a "big baby" it made me nervous.  They assured us that all was well, and some babies are just on the bigger side.

I asked the doctor about developing gestational D after passing the test and then having it go unchecked.  He told us that it is VERY rare, especially if you passed the FIRST test and didn't need to go on to the 2nd.  He said if you have to do the 2nd, there is a very SLIM chance that you could get it, but it's still rare.  If you passed the first test, it's slim to none.

When you go to have your baby, the hospital will take good care of you.  They know how to get you prepped and ready.  They have things that they can do to work through the birth with you, no matter how big the baby is.  They may be hesitant to "allow" you to have a vaginal birth, but you have the right to advocate.  If you don't want one, you can ask about a c-section.  A woman's body is MADE to have a child.  You will be okay.

Just take deep breaths and don't freak.  You freaking affects the baby...and all will be OKAY!!!

sccalla

When I was pregnant with DS I had an U/S a few days after my due date and they told me he was measuring 9.5 lbs.  He was born a few days later at only 7.25 lbs.  With DD they told me 7lbs 10 oz, 3 days before she was born and she only weighed 6lbs 5oz.  Don't put too much stock in ultrasounds.  They get more inaccurate the closer you get to your due date.