Anyone have an ultrasound around 32 weeks?

Useonfire · January 2012

My doc wanted me to get an ultrasound this week and at 36w to check for size/position since I want to VBAC.

Baby is measuring 4lb5oz. I have a hard time believing I'm not going to have another 8ish pound baby (DS was 8lb8oz about 5 days before his projected due date). The tech seemed to think my DD was measuring average or just slightly above but nothing to be concerned with.

hollace · January 2012

I did. My son was over 5 lbs. estimated at 32 weeks with a big head and breech. None of which I was surprised by, but they seemed to be. Anyway, I went back at 36 weeks as they wanted to see if he would turn, he didn't. He was nearly 8 lbs est. at that point and 8 lbs 10 oz at birth (planned c-section also 5 days prior to my due date).

I wouldn't be concerned about the weight. For starters, it is an estimate and second, 4 lbs 5 oz is nothing to sneeze at for 32 weeks. Maybe you'll just have a 7 pounder this round But I understand the denial of having a possibly smaller child second time around as "they" typically say the 2nd one is bigger.

LindseyJW · January 2012

are you exercising? eating well? feeling as good as can be for 32 weeks?

unless your baby is at risk for macrosomia, those are more important measurements than u/s sizing, which can be off by as much as 2lbs either way at term (and closer to 1lb either way at 32 weeks).

girls tend to be smaller at birth, but only slightly. my vbac girl was almost a full pound smaller than my c/s boy.

i know you didn't ask for opinions, but if it were me, i'd confirm only position and not do a size estimate when you reach 36 weeks. having an artificial number in your head may impact your subconscious will to birth vaginally by creating doubt (baby is big, might not fit, etc.). belief in the body's ability to birth vaginally and confidence that the baby will fit is incredibly important for vbac moms.

this is a new birth, a new baby and both of you deserve a new birth experience! i can say this because i've done it and it's easier said than done, but try not to let your past birth experience interfere with the decisions and circumstances of your next.

victoria1212 · January 2012

I had one at 33ish weeks. They told me DD was small (I don't remember the exact weight) and then when she was born at 36 weeks she was 7 lbs. Even at 36 weeks, they had me all prepared she was going to be transferred to another hospital since Sibley did not have a full NICU. Those measurements can be way off.

Sofka · January 2012

I had an U/S the day after DD's due date and the Dr asked me if "big babies ran in my family" b/c he thought DD would be b/w 8 and 9lbs. I always said I thought she'd be b/w 7 and 7 1/2lbs and I was right on, she was 7lbs 4oz, 4 days late.

DS was a scheduled c-s, 8 days early, and 7lbs 2oz.

I found the OB touching my belly and guessing at the weight that way to be the most accurate, with both kids, only 1-2 oz off!

veruca5839 · January 2012

I'm pretty sure I had an ultrasound somewhere between 30-39 weeks and I definitely had an ultrasound when I was about 5 days overdue. They wanted to see how big DD was measuring because she hadn't dropped at all, and my body had stopped progressing (I had started dilating and effacing a few weeks before I was due but then came to a standstill); my OB was concerned about my ability to deliver vaginally. At my 40+ week ultrasound they estimated DD at 9lbs. She was born 8lbs 11oz, so very close!

Useonfire · January 2012

veruca5839:
I'm pretty sure I had an ultrasound somewhere between 30-39 weeks and I definitely had an ultrasound when I was about 5 days overdue. They wanted to see how big DD was measuring because she hadn't dropped at all, and my body had stopped progressing (I had started dilating and effacing a few weeks before I was due but then came to a standstill); my OB was concerned about my ability to deliver vaginally. At my 40+ week ultrasound they estimated DD at 9lbs. She was born 8lbs 11oz, so very close!

Did you have her vaginally or c/s?

I had a similar situation and my DS was somewhat transverse (not truly sideways, but more at a 45* angle instead of head down (and no where near engaged or dropped). My growth estimate put DS at one ounce more than he ended up being so very close. I'd like to VBAC this time but only time will tell I suppose.

Useonfire · January 2012

LindseyJW:
are you exercising? eating well? feeling as good as can be for 32 weeks?
unless your baby is at risk for macrosomia, those are more important measurements than u/s sizing, which can be off by as much as 2lbs either way at term (and closer to 1lb either way at 32 weeks).
girls tend to be smaller at birth, but only slightly. my vbac girl was almost a full pound smaller than my c/s boy.
i know you didn't ask for opinions, but if it were me, i'd confirm only position and not do a size estimate when you reach 36 weeks. having an artificial number in your head may impact your subconscious will to birth vaginally by creating doubt (baby is big, might not fit, etc.). belief in the body's ability to birth vaginally and confidence that the baby will fit is incredibly important for vbac moms.
this is a new birth, a new baby and both of you deserve a new birth experience! i can say this because i've done it and it's easier said than done, but try not to let your past birth experience interfere with the decisions and circumstances of your next.

The answers to your first 3 questions - NO, pretty much and Yes. I'm embarrassed to admit how lazy I've been this pg. I've been eating decently though, and have only gained about 19/20lbs so far, so slightly less than I did at this point with my DS (and gained 29 total).

I'd LOVE the opportunity for a VBAC. My DH's 1st cousin's wife is a doula in this area and I'm strongly considering inviting her to participate (and it would be free!) At the very least, I'll have someone there who would be able to advocate for me.

julie83 · January 2012

i don't have any though on the 32 week ultrasound but saw we lived in the same town & you are doing a vbac. I am also interested in having a vbac for the next baby, who is your doctor and do you like them thus far?

Useonfire · January 2012

julie83:
i don't have any though on the 32 week ultrasound but saw we lived in the same town & you are doing a vbac. I am also interested in having a vbac for the next baby, who is your doctor and do you like them thus far?

Dr. Crowther at Arlington Women's Center. She delivered my DS. I actually went to a different practice this pregnancy up until about 28 weeks, mostly due to insurance, but I have switched back and I am glad I did. Dr. C is VERY pro VBAC.

Jitterbug2668 · January 2012

Yep, I had one at 32 weeks to guesstimate size due to GD. DS measured well over 5lbs but was in the right position. He came out 10lbs Embarrassed

(not trying to scare you, we just breed large babies). At 32 weeks I was already dialating as well - most likely because of the amount of pressure he was putting on my cervix.

veruca5839 · January 2012

Useonfire:
veruca5839:
I'm pretty sure I had an ultrasound somewhere between 30-39 weeks and I definitely had an ultrasound when I was about 5 days overdue. They wanted to see how big DD was measuring because she hadn't dropped at all, and my body had stopped progressing (I had started dilating and effacing a few weeks before I was due but then came to a standstill); my OB was concerned about my ability to deliver vaginally. At my 40+ week ultrasound they estimated DD at 9lbs. She was born 8lbs 11oz, so very close!
Did you have her vaginally or c/s?
I had a similar situation and my DS was somewhat transverse (not truly sideways, but more at a 45* angle instead of head down (and no where near engaged or dropped). My growth estimate put DS at one ounce more than he ended up being so very close. I'd like to VBAC this time but only time will tell I suppose.

c/s

She was in the correct position for weeks but wasn't dropping at all. I was 2cm dilated and 70% effaced for a few weeks leading up to my due date. My OB was concerned about DD's size (she usually measured ahead), and the last ultrasound showed her at about 9lbs and her head measurement was on the larger side. I have a smaller frame, so there was a lot of concern that DD's shoulders would get stuck. My OB gave me about a 20% chance of delivering vaginally. In my gut I knew the c/s was what I was going to end up with (I'd felt that the whole pregnancy for whatever reason), so we scheduled it for a few days later.

Useonfire · January 2012

Jitterbug2668:
Yep, I had one at 32 weeks to guesstimate size due to GD. DS measured well over 5lbs but was in the right position. He came out 10lbs (not trying to scare you, we just breed large babies). At 32 weeks I was already dialating as well - most likely because of the amount of pressure he was putting on my cervix.

That is a big baby! We only had an ultrasound with DS around 36 weeks when he measured at 7lbs and a few ounces which I thought was a ton for still being 4 weeks out. Granted, he was "only" 8lbs8oz but if you saw DH and I, it would make no sense whatsoever. My doc has done a lot of research on the fact that even if you have a larger second baby, it doesn't prevent you from a VBAC so at least I feel good about that. In fact, she said that she often sees first time moms who are unable to vaginally birth due to size or position or pushing for 4 hours and nothing happening, and then the next time around, there is no problem whatsoever. Granted, I never had the opportunity for a vaginal birth, but I am really hoping this applies to me!

LindseyJW · January 2012

i highly advocate for doulas, too, especially for vbac moms. planning and achieving a vbac is largely a head game. it just gets more intense with time. support yourself by making that decision now (to have a doula!).

i get being lazy in pregnancy! i didn't do anything at all (though i had grande dreams of keeping fit) during my first pregnancy. in my second, having a vbac was my goal, so i set myself up for it. because it was so important to me, i found time to walk a few times a week and swim a few times a week. it wasn't every day, but at least 5 times a week i did one of those activities. i think it really paid off in that i felt good and healthy going into labor.

anecdotally, a friend of mine who is barely 110lbs gained less than 20lbs with each of her two pregnancies. both babies were over 9lbs at birth and both were born vaginally. the pelvic bones shift significantly during labor and birth and a slight woman can easily birth a "big" baby, if in the right position (both mom and baby). there are things you can do to encourage optimal fetal positioning. check out www.spinningbabies.com. i think that made all the difference for me with my vbac.

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Anyone have an ultrasound around 32 weeks?

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