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3rd Trimester
how big is TOO big?
on 11.8.11 my baby girl was measuring 6.12lbs. at 35 weeks!!! im very nervous she is going to be too big! this is my first & im very nervous. i got to my ob apptointment today 11.23.11 and he is going to check me for the first time and possibly have some answers to when this baby is going to come. the nurse said my ob wont allow me deliver a 9lb baby since it is my first. how big was your first? and should i be nervous to deliver a 10lb baby my first go around? i have lots of pressure for about 2 weeks now and menstrual cramps for 10 days now.
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Re: how big is TOO big?
DD1: allergic to eggs & dairy
c/p 4/1/11
DD2: milk and soy protein intolerant, allergic to eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, bananas
MSPI Moms Check-In Blog
I have never heard of an OB not allowing someone to deliver their first baby because he or she thinks its a 9 pounder...unless you have some sort of medical reason to be concerned about. Our first was 9 pounds 1 ounce...The doctors measurements can be way off...I personally wouldn't worry about it...but thats coming from someone who knows they can deliver a large baby without complications...and really, 9 pounds is not a humongous in my opinion.
There's probably some concern you're not hearing.
I was measuring full-term at 32 weeks so they sent me to a perinatologist for U/S. It turns out I have too much amniotic fluid and LO was measuring 7 lbs. In addition to the size issue, he is having trouble figuring out how to get into position--called "unstable lie". He's expected to be over 10lbs--even if he weren't that big, the extra amniotic fluid and the positioning issue are concerns.
All of these factors made my OB schedule a c-section at 38 weeks 6 days--December 9. I have my 36 week appt this afternoon, and my main question for her will be what's going to happen if I go into labor before the 9th. I'm assuming c-section, but want to be sure we have a plan in place.
It is very rare for a baby to grow to big to fit and VERY irresponsible of your OB to "not allow" (which I am assuming means an automatic c-section- correct me if I am wrong) you to give birth based on a size prediction u/s- which are know to be highly inaccurate at this point in the game.
The reasons you hear about so many babies not fitting is usually not because of the size of the baby, but because of the position the mother is in when giving birth. Most women end up on their backs these days- which is the WORST position to give birth in for everyone except the OB or MW. Your pelvis is actually SMALLER when you are on your back.
The ACOG recommends against inductions and c-sections based on "big babies," so I would be asking yourself (and your OB) why he thinks he knows better than the ACOG. I would also ask him for studies to support this practice...which I can tell you he will not be able to produce.
Your OB cannot make you do anything you do not consent to do. You have the power here and the time to do some research and make an educated decision for yourself and your baby...and your future births as well.
GL
1.) As PP's said.. size prediction u/s ARE almost ALWAYS off. They measured my LO off by more than a pound.
2.) I delivered a 9.5 lb baby naturally (and only an hour and a half of pushing), so that just seems strange.
Keep in mind that the nations average size healthy baby is over 8 pounds, your body is meant to move and stretch and accommodate a growing baby. To answer your question how big is too big, put it this way my Grandmother had my uncle on her bed in her house in a country when they didnt have the option of pain medication at the time, he weighed in at about 13.5 lbs.... she is a very small woman and she did it naturally... if she can do it... anyone can. Good Luck.
ps. At my 34 week growth scan I was told mine was about 5lbs 3 oz
My little goofball born 1/2012
DD was 9lb. 4oz.. Dr. predicted she'd be 6-7lbs... Yea - don't go off of the doc's estimates...
Your baby will be the size that he/she is going to be at birth, there's not much of anything you can do to change that... Remember, the body is designed to do the job of birthing a baby, don't stress yourself out about something relating to your L&D that you have no control over...
My first was measuring 3 weeks early and huge right around 35 weeks. They usually don't change the due date or anything ,but just prepare you for a big baby (like 9 -10lbs). They did a couple more ultrasounds to watch the size and decided that if she didn't come by her due date to induce me right around then just so I wouldn't have any problems delivering. She ended up being 8lbs 4oz so she was big, but not as huge as those ultrasounds were indicating.
You should be fine with a natural delivery, so I would really press the doctor as to why the comment about a C-Section. Your doctors should really only issue concerns if they don't think your pelvis is wide enough for a bigger baby (you don't want the baby to get stuck or have shoulder problems). You can also look at how big you were when you were born and your family and see how big those babies were as well to get an idea of what to expect.
Some people just make bigger babies than others. With this baby at my 20 week ultrasounds they told me that she was already measuring one week ahead and to expect another 8-9 lbs baby.
Everyone is different. I have a small pelvis and I physically cannot deliver a large baby. My DD was 6lbs 4oz and I had a very difficult and scary delivery with her. So, contrary to popular belief, some women will have a baby that is too big for their body.
As for the growth u/s, they are not ALWAYS or even ALMOST ALWAYS wrong, they have a +/- 9oz that they can be off. It's also good to have more than one to confirm because one can be off because of the tech measuring. I have been having them all along and all except one have been consistent. THe one that was different than the others was obviously due to the tech doing the measurements, so that one is disregarded. I would not go based on one scan alone, but I would ask for another one as well as combine that with the fundal measurement.
Pelvic size will make a difference in the size baby you can deliver. Ultimately it's up to you. Your OB can't force you to do anything you don't want to do and it's your decision if you choose to try to deliver vaginally. For ME, I would opt for c/s because I have been through a scary delivery where my baby almost got stuck and I would not want to be in a situation where I need to be rushed into an emergency c/s. But that's me and I've been through delivery so I know what my body's limitations are. You have to do what's best for you