Baby is rather large!
704bride
member
I had another ultrasound today (growth scan because of MTHFR and making sure blood flow is looking good) and the baby is between the 82nd and 92 percentiles (depending on which computer they used) and 5 lbs. 9 oz. and 5 lbs. 12 oz. I'm in the process of searching for percentile charts to see where those percentiles put the baby at birth. DS was 8 lbs. 3 oz. at 39w1d. I'm having a VBAC and JUST switched to a midwife this week. My doctor had been telling me that if it seems like "we're looking at a 9 lb. baby," she wouldn't recommend a VBAC. I'm curious to see what the midwives have to say. I still want to try to labor, but definitely want to do some research on VBACs of big babies. I've been doing hypnobirthing, but I have to say that I am having some doubts at the moment. I need to really dive into the book and finish it to inspire myself a bit more. I was definitely a little thrown off today because I had an ultrasound 4 weeks ago and was told the baby was 3 lbs. 1 oz. and in the 57th percentile. Apparently, when they put the info into a different computer system, it said 82nd percentile. I'm not quite sure why they'd be using equipment that differs so much...
Anyone else having a biiiiig baby? Have you come across any inspirational birth stories about particularly big babies?
BFP 8/2/10 (3w5d); No more heartbeat on 8/30/10 (7w4d); D&C on 9/2/10 (8w) - Baby Boy with Triploidy
BFP 12/3/10 (4w2d); Natural miscarriage 12/12/10 (5w4d) - Unknown cause
Diagnosed with Compound Heterozygous MTHFR
BFP 3/9/11; Baby Boy #2 born on 11/7/11
Currently TTC Baby #3
Re: Baby is rather large!
I also have MTHFR (just discovered) and had DS vaginally, no meds, and he was 9 pounds 8 ounces. I know I've read plenty of birth stories where a mom vbac'ed a baby larger than her first with no issues. It's important to remember that every birth is different and to stay positive that you can do it.
That said, those estimates can be up to 5 pounds off, according to Ina May- have you read her book? So I'd not let a guess worry you too much. I know of a woman on this board (not a vbac though?) who birthed an 11-pounder in her bathtub. I'd suggest researching how to make birth easier just in case the baby is large or positioned awkwardly- stay upright, move a LOT, walk, push in a gravity-friendly position, etc... and stay positive!
GL and also I'd suggest the vbac board for more insight and personal stories.
Oh, and my FIL was 11 pounds when he was born and his mom did it vaginally.
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Konstantino
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Sizing ultrasounds can be very off, so I wouldn't give them too much stock. My friend was induced at 41 weeks because her baby was "getting too big for her to push out." Her daughter was was 6lb 8oz at birth, and mom had an IV which inflates the birth weight some. If you'd like some stories of other women who had their sizing ultrasounds off, including some vbacs, check out the comments here
https://myobsaidwhat.com/2011/09/21/your-baby-is-almost-9-lbs-we-have-to-incude-already/
YOU CAN DO IT!
I was told all through this last pregnancy that I was going to have a very very large baby. He was measuring in the 98th percentile for much of my pregnancy. I had no reason to doubt the docs and ultrasound techs, as my first baby was 10lbs 6 oz and my second was a full 11 lbs. So imagine my shock when my third baby was a "whopping" 7lbs 13 oz. Yes, that same baby that they kept telling me was "just massive". Don't buy it, sweetie. It's all guess work in a white lab coat (to steal a quote from my FIL the surgeon)!
See Corbin30's post above. Jesus, why do the even bother doing these ultrasounds? What possible purpose do they serve?
My kids were not that big: 8lbs8oz each. My SIL had 8, 9, 10+ lb babies all natural. I know several women who have successfully delivered 10+lb babies med free.
Why all the damn ultrasounds?
It is actually VERY rare for a baby to be too big to fit. Most likely you are not one of those rare candidates.
During my entire pregnancy they told me DS's head size was >95th percentile and I was terrified I wouldn't be able to get him through my hips and out naturally.... It took a little longer for him to crown but I delivered him naturally, with only one small tear on my labia. Plus at 38 weeks they estimated he weighed 7 lb 10 oz, and eight days later I delivered a 7 lb 5 oz baby... so don't let them freak you out too much!
And I used a midwife as well and they tend to be very supportive. When I told them about my fears of baby not fitting through the birth canal, they told me if your contractions are good and baby is in a good position you can push out anything! Good luck!
07.22.11
10.22.13