? from a PAIFer - birthweight actual v estimated??

KiKiGee · January 2011

Hi ladies -

Hope you don't mind me popping over ... but... I'm looking for some "real" perspective. For my entire pregnancy LO has been measuring about 3-5 weeks ahead. (It's IVF, so our dates are right.... he's just a big kid!). I've passed the GTT twice (just to be safe!) and the peri says it's just genetics. (I was a 10+ pounder, DH was 9lbs 8oz).

At my most recent growth scan on Friday/33 weeks, LO was still in the ">98th percentile" in every category with an estimated weight of 6lbs 9oz. Peri says I'm on track for an 11-pounder judging by his growth patterns so far.

Peri is very concerned... BUT my OB is not... he's super laid back and says that u/s can be off by up to a pound (Peri says she's only ever seen hers be off by a 1/2 pound). I love both my docs. But they're on totally different sides on this one and I'm pretty freaked out. I had severe shoulder dystocia at birth and wound up with a broken arm, mom had a very severe tear. Peri says I need to think about just scheduling a C. OB says he always does trial labors and that he has lots of experience delivering big babies.

Anyone have experience with size/weight predictions that were off or on target?? Any advice on "to C or not to C" ??

thanks.

OrangeSmoke · January 2011

"They" estimated my boys to be over 7lbs each and they were born at 6lbs and 6lb1oz.

I wouldn't be rushing to make a decision right now, but you should keep in the back of your head that you might need a c section.

How attached are you to the idea of vaginal birth?

LVBlvd · January 2011

I had a BPP the day of my induction (turned C-Section, for reasons other than size) with DD. She was estimated at 8lb 0oz. She was born 7lb 3oz.

With my twins, at 35w1d, they were estimated at "between 5.5 and 6 pounds each." They were 5lb 10oz and 6lb 3oz.

If I were in your shoes, I would schedule a C-Section. Not a popular opinion on this board, but with your family history and what your peri is saying, that is what I would do. Best of luck!!

LVBlvd · January 2011

LVBlvd:
I had a BPP the day of my induction (turned C-Section, for reasons other than size) with DD. She was estimated at 8lb 0oz. She was born 7lb 3oz.
With my twins, at 35w1d, they were estimated at "between 5.5 and 6 pounds each." They were 5lb 10oz and 6lb 3oz.
If I were in your shoes, I would schedule a C-Section. Not a popular opinion on this board, but with your family history and what your peri is saying, that is what I would do. Best of luck!!

Sorry - should have said that they were born exactly 2 weeks after that last growth scan.

JustaKidAtHeart · January 2011

Mine were off by like 12oz per baby. My boys were smaller than what they were guessing.

mel72 · January 2011

No advice on the C but our growth scans were spot on for both, can you get it redone?

KiKiGee · January 2011

OrangeSmoke:
"They" estimated my boys to be over 7lbs each and they were born at 6lbs and 6lb1oz.

I wouldn't be rushing to make a decision right now, but you should keep in the back of your head that you might need a c section.

How attached are you to the idea of vaginal birth?

Thanks. I trust my OB, he's great - not at all panicky (if that makes any sense?) so I'm inclined to believe him that these size estimations are not really all that accurate. The hitch is that I'm really not all that tied to the idea of a vaginal birth, but my OB is known as the city's "natural birth" doc, so he's very keen on not pushing interventions (which I really do appreciate, I just know it means he won't automatically make the call for surgery... you know?). I've just heard so many horror stories about women pushing for hours and hours only to need an emergency C-section and then winding up with the worst of both worlds. It also doesn't help that my own mom has told me "There are no trophies for pushing out a really big baby" and being very real with me about her experience delivering me.

PeachyKate · January 2011

At my last growth scan Jax was estimated to weight 6 lb 7 oz and we still had three weeks to go so they were guessing he would be at least 7 lbs by the time he was born. He was 6 lbs 3 oz.

His head was always measuring above 95% and my mfm said she didn't think a vaginal delivery would work. I had already scheduled the c section anyways and his head ended up totally stuck in my pelvis and they docs had a rough time pulling him out. I was so glad I went the C route so thats my vote!

KiKiGee · January 2011

mel72:
No advice on the C but our growth scans were spot on for both, can you get it redone?

Yes, I've been going every 3/4 weeks since the first "big" scan at 18w. Scheduled to go back for another in 3 weeks... Peri said she kept hoping we were catching him at growth spurts, but that his growth has been very, very consistent... he's just destined to be a big guy, I guess...?

Thanks for the perspective and advice everyone. I really appreciate it.

krissyh21 · January 2011

I had growth scans regularly in my last trimester of pregnancy, with my last one being 2 days before my son was born. He was a 1 pound smaller then what he was estimated at that scan.

LCB34 · January 2011

I had a growth scan 3 days before I delivered. It estimated that Kate was 6lb 4 or 5 oz. She was born 6lbs 2 oz.

I think that Peri's typically get much more reliable measurements as their machines are usually better quality.

I will add though, that Kate was measuring in the 70% until 33 weeks when her growth practically halted. So, a lot can change in 7 weeks.

Carrie25 · January 2011

I had several ultrasounds. Near the end they told me DS was going to be 9-9.5 lbs...just going off measurements of the body. I never measured big from the outside.

He came out at 7 lbs. 10 oz. So they can be off! Even though he was less than 8 lbs, I still have a 4th degree tear...but that could be from the use of forceps.

Kmarie823 · January 2011

This is a difficult situation. And a very personal decision. At 35w2d my girls were estimated to be 6lbs6oz and 5lbs 11oz.

They were born via c-section (because A was breech) at 38w2d and were 7lbs6oz and 8lbs4oz.

Since I have not experienced labor I can't comment on the delivery but in thinking about it I would hate to have to labor for hours and push and then end up with a C-section anyway. I'm sure this may be an unpopular opinion but I would probably schedule the C. My c-section was great and recovery was pretty easy.

If you think you would regret not giving a vaginal birth a shot then you should go for it.

alchris · January 2011

DD2 measured at the 82nd %ile. Factoring that she was born early, I'm guesstimating that she was about at the 50th; she was 6lb 8.8oz at birth.

browneyedgrl4282 · January 2011

a few days before my c/s with the twins they told me Preston was about 6lbs and Jordana was about 7lbs. At birth Preston was 6lbs 3oz and Jordana was 7lbs 10oz, they were born at 36 weeks and 4 days.

With Brady they said at 36 weeks he was about 7lbs5oz and he was born 8lbs 10oz at 37 weeks.

mrsolsenk12 · January 2011

On May 8, 2009 at my 36 week appointment, my peri estimated my DS at 5lb. 8oz. I went into labor 9 hours later and he was born early in the morning on May 9, 2009 at 5 lb. 10oz.

Even though he was small, I had trouble with delivery. I labored naturally (not my choice but was waiting on some bloodwork before epi) and pushed for 90 min. (with the epi) before it was determined that he was stuck in my pelvis and I needed a c-section. Baby being big isn't always the issue but how your body responds.

I would probably wait a couple of weeks before making a decision and dicuss it with both doctors sharing your pros/cons of both of them with each and come to a decision that will be best. Is your OB or your peri going to deliver you? I saw a peri exclusively and he delivered me so I really valued his opinion. With a family history of big babies, I would be prepared for a c-section no matter what your OB thinks. It is great that your mom shared her experience with you and it is true that you don't get a prize for vaginally delivering a bigger baby vs. having a c-section.

christiney06 · January 2011

I wouldn't do it, they can be WAY off. My son was measuring 4lbs10oz a day before birth and was born at 4lbs 3 ounces. my best friend was in the same boat as you , told her baby was in the 10lb range, had the c-section and the baby was 8lbs even...totally pushable. a lot of Dr's push for c-sections now a days b/c it's a quick in and out surgery and they get to charge a lot of $$ for it...sucks, but it's true. just look at the sky rocketing c-section rates. I know it seems "easier" to just get a c-section, but it is still major surgery and the recovery will be a lot tougher.

your body is capable of amazing things, give labor a whirl and now a days they are not going to let you get to the point of a broken arm or any other major issues. good luck!!!

emmyloustu · January 2011

I never had a growth scan or BPP, but my MW estimated DD's weight to be 8lbs and she was 8lbs on the nose! She also did a physical exam to determine my bone structure and the likelihood of a successful vaginal delivery and she said I was anatomically made for birthing babies! LOL! My MW said the biggest predictor was mom and dad's birth weights and Dh and I were both in the 7lb range.

I think it is a totally personal decision and you have to take your Ob and peri's advice into consideration and go with your gut. If you are asking what I would do, I would give vaginal labor a shot, but I am tend to be an advocate of low intervention labors whenever it is medically possible and as long as it's in the best interest of mom and baby.

Good luck!!

vandelay · January 2011

No advice, but I did want to share my estimate vs. actual. I had an u/s at 37 weeks at which DD was estimated to be 7 pounds, and at 39 weeks she was estimated at 8 pounds. She was born at 41w3d at 6 pounds 7 ounces. So ours was off by quite a bit.

Good luck with your decision!

choco_lab · January 2011

DS was measuring over 98% for the last few months of my preg. I asked if a CS was going to come into play because he was big. The midwife said not to worry about it. I had a midwife making the calls during my 28 hrs of labor. Finally, the dr came along and said I needed a CS. He was too big and not coming out on his own. He was 8lbs, 10 oz. You probably won't know until you get a little closer. But had I known, I wish I would have had the CS sooner.. since 28 hrs of labor took its toll. Probably something to just keep in the back of your mind that it might be a possiblity but then see how it goes when it gets closer.

my*heart*is*his · January 2011

I had an u/s the morning DD #2 was born (at 34 weeks) and the tech estimated size to be 5 lbs., 9 oz. DD was born weighing 5 lbs., 14 oz., so the tech was pretty darn close.

I don't have any advice on delivering a larger baby, but if it were me I'd definitely keep my mind open to the idea of a C-section.

OrangeSmoke · January 2011

KiKiGee:
OrangeSmoke:

"They" estimated my boys to be over 7lbs each and they were born at 6lbs and 6lb1oz.

I wouldn't be rushing to make a decision right now, but you should keep in the back of your head that you might need a c section.

How attached are you to the idea of vaginal birth?

Thanks. I trust my OB, he's great - not at all panicky (if that makes any sense?) so I'm inclined to believe him that these size estimations are not really all that accurate. The hitch is that I'm really not all that tied to the idea of a vaginal birth, but my OB is known as the city's "natural birth" doc, so he's very keen on not pushing interventions (which I really do appreciate, I just know it means he won't automatically make the call for surgery... you know?). I've just heard so many horror stories about women pushing for hours and hours only to need an emergency C-section and then winding up with the worst of both worlds. It also doesn't help that my own mom has told me "There are no trophies for pushing out a really big baby" and being very real with me about her experience delivering me.

that was me! I pushed for 4 hours and wound up with an emergency c - section with the recovery from hell.

Good luck in whatever you decide, but I don't really think you need to make a decision NOW. You still have a ways to go!

crystalgirl · January 2011

Both of my boys were projected to be between 9 and 10 pounds. DS1 was 4 days before his due date at 7 lbs 7 oz. DS2 was born 3 weeks early and was 6 lbs 14 oz thus likely would have been about his brother's size if he'd gone closer to 40 weeks. (Both were also IVF.) So, in my case, they were worried for nothing.

FWIW, DH was 9 lbs 3 oz, and my bro was 10 lbs 5 oz, so I did have some family precedent, too.

xtencornfield · January 2011

DS measured ahead the whole time and they guesstimated that he would be between 8 and 9 lbs. He was almost 10 lbs and only 2 days late, so they were off in the wrong direction. Luckily, I chose not to get an episiotomy and only had a tiny tear. I pushed for 3.25 hours though. I also didn't have GD and was tested multiple times because of my history. In addition, both DH and I were in the 8 lb range, so not crazy huge.

Even if you're 1 lb off in the too-high direction, that still leaves you with a 10 lb'er. I might seriously think about going with the C...but that's just my opinion having gone through a long labor. I would at least give it some more thought as you get further along.

KiKiGee · January 2011

Thanks SO much everyone. Looks like u/s measurements have been off in both directions (heaven help me if they're underestimating by a pound! Wink )

I really appreciate all of your insight and support. I'm also really glad to hear that you all think I have plenty of time to make the decision.

THANK YOU!

AlissaCell701 · January 2011

I was told at my last ultra sound that my baby was over 6lbs and when I actually had him he was actually 3lbs 11ounces..

I would say go for the trial labor and see what happends but if you are totally freaked out about having a "big baby" then go for the C...I would do what you are comfortable with

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