Does size really matter?

AnnaMPAdams · May 2011

Ok, so I'm a little freaked out about the baby's size. So far, we haven't had an ultrasound since about 20 weeks, so we have no idea how big or small he is. I'm 30 weeks right now. Any second or third time moms have big babies previously, and does it really make that big of a difference... down there....? LOL This may seem ridiculous, and obviously I just want him to be healthy at whatever size he may be, but it's nerve wracking thinking I may be growing a giant baby!

taylorfriend · May 2011

Unless your Dr has noted that you are measuring ahead or behind and has scheduled you a growth u/s, there is no need for you to be nervous. They can tell for the most part if your baby is going to be ginormous lol. If you are measuring right on schedule (30 wks for you) then your baby is perfectly normal size. Personally I think any baby no matter the size is going to change your down stairs a bit..

brenwick · May 2011

Your doctor measures your fundal height right? So they would be able to make an educated guess as far as if you are carrying a larger baby or not. Of course size makes a difference "down there" that's where they come out, a 6lb. baby isn't going to do as much damage as a 10lb. baby lol. But it depends on the mother. My mother was able to give birth to me, 11lb. 2oz without any issue. I barely got my 9lb. 11oz. son out, with a 4th degree tear and fractured tailbone. Don't worry, if your doctor was worried they would let you know.

brenwick · May 2011

KateB1984:
Big babies don't mean it can't go perfectly smoothly. I delivered DS2 naturally and was home from the hospital by lunch the next day. Don't stress too much about it!

Yes

hellaine · May 2011

Just to add my experience to the anecdotes.

My DD was born weight 8pounds 12oz. I had a tear, a few stitches (I didn't feel it happening or being stitched at all so it was a non issue). Had a long labor which I think was more a first time/genetics thing. However, besides how long it took, it was a very smooth labor and delivery with no issues that I felt good about so. Not the biggest baby ever, but pretty large and it all went well Good luck!

AnnaMPAdams · May 2011

She DOES measure my fundal height, and at 28 weeks, I was measuring 27 inches. I have another appointment tomorrow, so I guess we'll see how I measure then. Do they usually do a size check closer to your delivery date? Some of my girlfriends have said that they had an ultrasound to measure the baby and check his/her growth at around 36 weeks, but my doctor hasn't mentioned it....

FyshWyfe · May 2011

I believe that with the exception of some very very rare cases (i.e. much rarer than we are led to believe), your body is growing YOUR baby, and you can birth it just fine. Try not to worry!

AnnaMPAdams · May 2011

FyshWyfe:
I believe that with the exception of some very very rare cases (i.e. much rarer than we are led to believe), your body is growing YOUR baby, and you can birth it just fine. Try not to worry!

Yes Thanks!

mdslater919 · May 2011

AnnaMPAdams:
She DOES measure my fundal height, and at 28 weeks, I was measuring 27 inches. I have another appointment tomorrow, so I guess we'll see how I measure then. Do they usually do a size check closer to your delivery date? Some of my girlfriends have said that they had an ultrasound to measure the baby and check his/her growth at around 36 weeks, but my doctor hasn't mentioned it....

When they measure fundal height they use cm and each cm is equal to a week. Ex: at 28 weeks you should be 28 cm but they usually aren't concerned unless you measure consistently ahead or behind.2 or more weeks. And even so it may not be the baby measuring small or large so that's why they do the growth ultrasounds to get LO's measurements. I have been consistently measuring 2 to 3 weeks ahead and I am going tomorrow morning for my second growth ultrasound. I am confident and see that my doctors are monitoring growth and I trust them. My DH was a 10.5 lb baby so I've been concerned about this too but reading stories from these ladies has really helped eased my mind.

jillybean222 · May 2011

Renwicks Lady:
Your doctor measures your fundal height right? So they would be able to make an educated guess as far as if you are carrying a larger baby or not. Of course size makes a difference "down there" that's where they come out, a 6lb. baby isn't going to do as much damage as a 10lb. baby lol. But it depends on the mother. My mother was able to give birth to me, 11lb. 2oz without any issue. I barely got my 9lb. 11oz. son out, with a 4th degree tear and fractured tailbone. Don't worry, if your doctor was worried they would let you know.

completely innacurate. i tore more with my 6 pounder than my 9 pounder (9 pounder was 2nd child). i also pushed longer and harder with the smaller baby. i dunno, i think if the doctor spends time stitching you up properly, complete normalcy down there is entirely possible.

brenwick · May 2011

I guess that's what I get for assuming! lol It was just an assumption, I only have one experience to go by. I will say that my mother always said my birth was easier than my sisters who were several pounds smaller than I was.

amygoable · May 2011

Renwicks Lady:
Your doctor measures your fundal height right? So they would be able to make an educated guess as far as if you are carrying a larger baby or not. Of course size makes a difference "down there" that's where they come out, a 6lb. baby isn't going to do as much damage as a 10lb. baby lol. But it depends on the mother. My mother was able to give birth to me, 11lb. 2oz without any issue. I barely got my 9lb. 11oz. son out, with a 4th degree tear and fractured tailbone. Don't worry, if your doctor was worried they would let you know.

This exactly. Size can make a difference, but what size is "too big" is going to be different for each woman. If you're worried about preventing tearing, the only things I've heard of to help are EVOO massage on the perineum and choosing different labor positions. From a tearing perspective, pushing on your back is a bad idea, but on your side or other positions can help minimize tears. I have also heard that tearing can be less severe if baby comes out slower rather than faster, but I'm not sure how substantiated that claim is.

amygoable · May 2011

Also, you can probably ask your doc for a growth US around 35-37 weeks, if it'll make you feel better. I'm probably going to have one!

Jennifer2008 · May 2011

This is all super helpful - people keep saying how big I look and it is hard not to worry.

One other thing to add -- if you are worried about tearing, consider skipping the epidural. Women are much more likely to tear if they've had one. I had no idea about this but the doctor and the nurse running our prenatal class explained why.

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