Concerned about my baby's size

bigheyes · May 2011

I know I'm not alone in this. My baby girl was an estimated 7 pounds already at 34 weeks. The doctor is making me do another ultrasound next week at 36 weeks to monitor her weight. This is my first child, and I have to be honest, I'm TERRIFIED of a C-Section. I know her weight doesn't necessarily mean I'll have one, but it seems it greatly increases my chances. Anyways, the doctor has ensured me he will induce at 39 weeks if she's not here before then, because of her weight. I know ultrasounds are sometimes off with this, but next week will be the third one where her weight is checked, so I feel it's pretty accurate.

cluk3510 · May 2011

I had the same kind of thing happen to me on wednesday at 37 weeks. When my midwife measured me she said that DD felt likt she was already 8 lbs and asked me what my thoughts were for a c-section. I want to deliver her vaginally, but I know that if something happens that I cannot push her out we will have to have a c-section. I go in next Wednesday for a songram to see how big she really is. The midwife says that a sonogram can be up to 2 lbs off. So we will see what happens. Good luck to you in the next few weeks.

OSUtiff · May 2011

I am having the same issues with size. Right now I am continuously measuring two week ahead, yet it doesn't really alarm my doctor. She did say at 36 weeks we MAY do a growth u/s but since those are sometimes inaccurate she doesn't want to scare me into a c-section. However, I guess I'm not as nervous as a c/s as I am delivering an 11lb baby!!

Right now, we're just kind of waiting and seeing, whatever is safest for me and LO, I guess.

emsuski · May 2011

My LO has measured in the 89th and 90th percentiles for weight and size so far. I'm only 29 weeks and am going to be getting another u/s in a month and possibly another one a month afterwards to moniter her growth. I also am very afraid of a c-section and want to avoid one at any costs. I plan on trying to deliver normally since there are many people who have had 10lb babies or more! Maybe I'll surprise myself. Do whatever you feel comfortable with and don't let anyone talk you into something that you don't want to do.

Brooklyn2577 · May 2011

I can't tell you what to do - only what I did:

DS #1 was measuring ahead. I had a growth u/s and he was estimated to be 9.4 or 9.6. I delivered four days later (via c/s) at 9.10.

DS#2 I just had a growth u/s. He is currently about 8.5 pounds. His head and belly measure over 40 weeks at this point. I'm having a repeat c/s. A 10 pound baby is not out of the realm of possiblity given the weight of DS#1 - and the fact that I jsut have giant babies.

Talk to your OB, do some research - do what you feel is best for you. Good luck!

amy21tom · May 2011

cluk3510:
I had the same kind of thing happen to me on wednesday at 37 weeks. When my midwife measured me she said that DD felt likt she was already 8 lbs and asked me what my thoughts were for a c-section. I want to deliver her vaginally, but I know that if something happens that I cannot push her out we will have to have a c-section. I go in next Wednesday for a songram to see how big she really is. The midwife says that a sonogram can be up to 2 lbs off. So we will see what happens. Good luck to you in the next few weeks.

This exact thing happened to me yesterday at my 37wk appointment but LO is measured at 9lbs currently. I have a growth ultrasound on Monday. They will let me try to push him out if I want to (which I do) but she said if he's estimated at 10+lbs then there's just a large chance I'll end up with a c/s. At least I'll have tried though. I feel confident in their recommendations because my practice and hospital both have very low c/s rates.

OP--yesterday my midwife told me my office would never induce due to large size because it just sets you up for failure. Large babies who don't come on their own are very "stubborn" in an induction. She told me it's better to wait past the due date, try to deliver vaginally and end up with a c/s if hey don't fit.I wonder why we got such different info?!?!? I'm going to look into this.

LnR70707 · May 2011

A little bit earlier than most of you, but I'm in the same boat. Our (not so) little guy was estimated at 4.9lbs via u/s at 30w4days and my nurse said the OB will be talking to us about a scheduled c/s around 34-36 weeks. My next u/s is at 34 weeks and I'm hoping maybe the last tech was off (though it was done by an MFM tech). The biggest concern they have is his abdomen measuring in the 93rd percentile and the risk of shoulder dystocia, but I'm hoping to at least try for a vaginal birth, even if it means earlier induction (after 37 weeks of course).

amanda1128 · May 2011

DS1 was estimated to be 10 pounds, but came at 41 weeks at only 8 lbs 8 oz. I am a very small girl, and had no difficulty pushing him out. A friend of mine was 12 pounds at birth and his mom had him at home, its amazing what your body can do. I wouldn't worry too much.

bigheyes · May 2011

L&R70707:
A little bit earlier than most of you, but I'm in the same boat. Our (not so) little guy was estimated at 4.9lbs via u/s at 30w4days and my nurse said the OB will be talking to us about a scheduled c/s around 34-36 weeks. My next u/s is at 34 weeks and I'm hoping maybe the last tech was off (though it was done by an MFM tech). The biggest concern they have is his abdomen measuring in the 93rd percentile and the risk of shoulder dystocia, but I'm hoping to at least try for a vaginal birth, even if it means earlier induction (after 37 weeks of course).

The hospitals at least here will NOT induce before 39 weeks for insurance reasons. I'd look into that.

amy21tom · May 2011

amanda1128:
DS1 was estimated to be 10 pounds, but came at 41 weeks at only 8 lbs 8 oz. I am a very small girl, and had no difficulty pushing him out. A friend of mine was 12 pounds at birth and his mom had him at home, its amazing what your body can do. I wouldn't worry too much.

This is exactly why I want to try. My MIL had three 11lb babies (within a few ounces of each other) vaginally. I'm sure if she had had growth scans she would've been pushed into c sections. No one truly knows what my body is capable of (even though I am small also, but you never know!)

Also, found good info on inducing large babies from https://www.lamaze.org/ChildbirthEducators/ResourcesforEducators/CarePracticePapers/LaborBeginsOnItsOwn/tabid/487/Default.aspx

Lamaze International recommends that you neither choose induction nor agree to be induced unless there is a true medical reason. A ?large? or even ?very large? baby is not a medical reason for induction. Letting your body go into labor on its own almost always is the best way for you to know that your baby is healthy enough to be born. Spontaneous labor also increases the likelihood that you can experience the other healthy birth practices identified by Lamaze International that lead to a safe and healthy birth?especially freedom of movement and no routine interventions.

The article also says that during inductions of even "normal" sized babies shoulder dystocia (baby?s shoulder gets ?caught? in the birth canal) is more common...so with large babies this is a problem because then there is an even higher chance of that happening.

m00n_fire@hotmail.com · May 2011

amy21tom:

cluk3510:
I had the same kind of thing happen to me on wednesday at 37 weeks. When my midwife measured me she said that DD felt likt she was already 8 lbs and asked me what my thoughts were for a c-section. I want to deliver her vaginally, but I know that if something happens that I cannot push her out we will have to have a c-section. I go in next Wednesday for a songram to see how big she really is. The midwife says that a sonogram can be up to 2 lbs off. So we will see what happens. Good luck to you in the next few weeks.

This exact thing happened to me yesterday at my 37wk appointment but LO is measured at 9lbs currently. I have a growth ultrasound on Monday. They will let me try to push him out if I want to (which I do) but she said if he's estimated at 10+lbs then there's just a large chance I'll end up with a c/s. At least I'll have tried though. I feel confident in their recommendations because my practice and hospital both have very low c/s rates.

OP--yesterday my midwife told me my office would never induce due to large size because it just sets you up for failure. Large babies who don't come on their own are very "stubborn" in an induction. She told me it's better to wait past the due date, try to deliver vaginally and end up with a c/s if hey don't fit.I wonder why we got such different info?!?!? I'm going to look into this.

Wish someone had told me this with my first, I was induced, never got beyond 3 cm in 36 hours and even after breaking my water we never went anywhere. I had a c/s and she was 11 pounds. This time around we are doing a RC/S cause he's going to be big too based on the u/s. Big babies are the best! They come out looking like 3 month olds!

ElatedMom2B · May 2011

Just do your research...I don't trust the growth u/s at all. I have seen too many babies be taken by c/s or early induction that didn't need to be. My SIL has had 3 of them as case in point. Her first of which they told her was going to be in the 9-10 lb region...he was taken by c/s at 39 weeks and was only 5 lbs. 4 oz.!! My SIL was so pissed and therefore caused two more c/s for her - of which the babies were still almost 2 lbs off (each) of the estimated weight. Whenever she tells the story of her first one, she always says that she was asking the doctor where the rest of him was...especially because she gained 60 lbs!!!

Want a personalized experience?

Concerned about my baby's size

Re: Concerned about my baby's size

Choose Another Board

Search Boards