Why is 8.5 lbs at almost 39 weeks considered big?

MsMom1 · December 2011

I'm so frustrated and tired of hearing about how big my baby is. Yesterday, I had an ultrasound at a specialist (they had seen something peculiar at a growth ultrasound and sent me there- turned about to be nothing, thankfully) and while everything else looks good, the baby is measuring at 8.5 lbs and my AFI is 30 (high fluid). He said that he is recommending twice weekly ultrasounds and that I go no later than my due date. UGH. I just don't know what to do anymore, but in all honesty, 8.5 lbs doesn't sound that big to me! Thanks for letting me vent.

Jessimurph · December 2011

At 39 weeks my daughter measured over 10lbs by growth u/s and was born via csection the next day weighing 8lbs 12oz. Later my OB told me they can be +/- 2lbs, but we're back to the big baby scare tactics this time. I'm refusing a growth u/s this time.

I don't know anything about high fluid or the problems that can cause, but I have read that if you have high fluid you should drink a TON of water and increase your protein.

MAprincess · December 2011

I didn't have growth ultrasounds because of what pp said (can be off by 2 lbs). I'd ignore them when they throw around "big baby". Not sure if the extra fluid is a problem? I don't know much about that. But don't let them push you around for the big baby issue.

YaraC · December 2011

I don't think that is big either. When I had my daughter at almost 42 weeks, she was 8lb 13oz and all the nurses kept talking about how big she was. That amazed me. I mean, yes she was larger than average but given how many babies they see, I can't imagine she was anywhere close to really "big."

Kristine Schilling · December 2011

I dont get it either. Drs seem to be getting lower and lower on wt when it comes to "measuring big"....

Big babies are over 10 pounds. none of this 8pound BS. They tried to tell me with DD#1 that she was going to be big when she Measured 6pounds at 37 weeks. I look back at that know and laugh. (she came out 5pounds and change at 39 weeks. and I had GD!)

My Dr for this PG said LO is likely around 6.5 pounds at the 36 week US. Even if she gains a half piund a week, she will still only make about 8 pounds max before 41 weeks. She was completly unconcerned, even with me attempting VBAC.

You want big babies? One of my sisters has 3 boys. S#1 9pnds. S#2 10pnds. S#3 12 pnds!!!!! thats a big baby!

kcvasquez · December 2011

I agree with PP in that ignore the growth ultrasounds. Even if they say you need them you can decline any medical intervention you don't agree with, they can't force you. They can make you feel bad, which a lot of them are good at doing. The problem with high amniotic fluid however is that the rate of cord prolapse during labor can be much higher, this occurs in any pregnancy with high fluid levels. I only know that because they were telling me mine was on the "high side of normal" but my OB said she is still okay with a TOLAC as long as my fluids don't get higher.

And even if your baby is 9lbs, there are plenty of people out there who have had vaginal births with that big of baby or bigger! I'm sorry you have to go through this and I am sorry that anyone who wants their VBAC has to fight so hard to get it! Oh but want to sign up for a first time elective surgery in which you don't need?! No problem!

MrsVictoriaB · December 2011

That's around what my baby was measuring at, but luckily my OB is awesome and told me that yes my baby was measuring big, but he wasn't going to let that stop my VBAC. Justin ended up being delivered a week later at 9lbs 5 ounces and people still commented on how big he was, but I had no trouble pushing him out (and I'm little!)

MsMom1 · December 2011

Thanks ladies! It's funny that all of the doctors who have been telling me this are doctors that WON'T be delivering me. They got me all worked up about it! Thankfully, today I spoke to one of the OBs who might attend the birth and she didn't mention a word about it. I'd like to decline any further ultrasounds, but the fluid is a concern because it may mean that the placenta is not working as well as it should, so for personal reassurance I feel I should continue with them. Hopefully not much longer though...

delg23 · December 2011

My doctors don't consider that big. They say its not small but its not big either.

BlinkingLight1 · December 2011

I'm getting so annoyed with this too! It seems like very often lately I've seen people refer to their 8-9lb baby as BIG or HUGE. That is NOT big and huge! I hate that 6-7 pounds has become the new normal because everyone is scheduling their inductions or c-sections at 38 weeks for babies that aren't ready to be born!

amandac26 · December 2011

BlinkingLight1:
I'm getting so annoyed with this too! It seems like very often lately I've seen people refer to their 8-9lb baby as BIG or HUGE. That is NOT big and huge! I hate that 6-7 pounds has become the new normal because everyone is scheduling their inductions or c-sections at 38 weeks for babies that aren't ready to be born!

I totally agree with this. With my daughter, I didn't really know much & I just listened to everything my OB advised. I was induced at 39wks 2days because of a "big baby" they thought she was 9+. I also had high fluid. I ended up with a c-section after 3 hrs of pushing because she was again, "too big" to guide out. She measured in at 7lbs 15oz... NOT BIG!!!! Then, because I believe she wasn't completely ready to be born, she had jaundice

kkfeb04 · December 2011

I would've loved a 8.5 lb baby at 39 weeks! DS was born at 39 weeks and he was 10 lbs. Now I did have the growth u/s weekly and they were dead on with the estimates, they estimated him to be 10 lbs 2 oz on the day of delivery, he technically was 10 lbs 0.5 oz.

mrs.jenRN · December 2011

Kristine Schilling:

I dont get it either. Drs seem to be getting lower and lower on wt when it comes to "measuring big"....

Big babies are over 10 pounds. none of this 8pound BS. They tried to tell me with DD#1 that she was going to be big when she Measured 6pounds at 37 weeks. I look back at that know and laugh. (she came out 5pounds and change at 39 weeks. and I had GD!)

You want big babies? One of my sisters has 3 boys. S#1 9pnds. S#2 10pnds. S#3 12 pnds!!!!! thats a big baby!

This exactly!.They were right on with my growth scans, but I still don't consider my 8lb 15 oz baby to have been huge. That is a pretty standard size baby in both mine and H's families for generations, and I am one of the few who have had a c section.

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