Growth scans..... 10 pound baby??

bearysweet10 · May 2012

Im preganant with my second baby, due in June. At my growth ultrasound they estimated my baby to be 7lbs at 35 weeks. The doctor said I need to consider my options as we are looking at the possibility of a 10lb baby. (i know there is a big margin or error with growth ultrasounds) I think my doctor was especially concerned because her chest/shoulder area was the largest, not her head. So the risk is shoulder dystocia, and the very slim risk of nerve damage. At this point we are going to wait and see, and do another ultrasound closer to my due date for a second opinion.

My question is, has anyone else been told they could have a 10lb baby? What is your doctor reccomending? What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

oohgrrl11 · May 2012

DD was "measured" (guessed) to be 8 lbs 11 oz at my 36 week us. It really didn't surprise me since DS was 9 lbs 10 oz at birth. I ended up with a c-section after 40 hours with DS because his heart rate was dropping and it had been so long since my water broke naturally. When he was born he had a mushy bruised head from trying to come out. Given DD's potential size and an extension to my first incision we along with our OB decided another C is best.

I know the risk of shoulder dystocia but am extra worried about that since I have a friend who's son had it and at 5 years old they still have to tie his good arm down to make him use his bad/weak arm.

I know many women can successfully deliver a 10+ lb baby. Given my history I just don't think I am one of them.

AprilAngie · May 2012

if your dr IS concerned - I would ask all your questions to your dr.

a friend (had baby in November) at 30 weeks baby was measuring 6 lbs.. and when she gave birth full term he was only 8 lbs 3 oz.. so these growth scans CAN be off too

mamahawk12 · May 2012

I had the opposite problem - but the fact that these "estimates" are inaccurate remains the same. I was told at 36 weeks that my baby might be suffering from IUGR and they might need to induce. I got a second opinion that showed baby was doing just fine, and he was born at 40 weeks at a healthy 6 lbs 13 ozs. Needless to say, I'm glad I didn't let them induce.

Also, I realize everyone is different, but I have several friends who have vaginally delivered 9 and 10 lb babies without a problem. I'd wait to see what your next scan says before making a decisions either way.

littlemomma10 · May 2012

Like the PP have said, the growth scans are not very accurate. I would be sceptical of going off of just that to make a decision.

That said, my DS was a 10 lb 3 oz baby, and his chest was larger than his head. I was able to deliver him vaginally with no medication. I attribute a lot of that to my birth experience(I spent part of the labor in water, which I feel helped relax things) and the wonderful midwife I had. I did push for over an hour, which felt like forever, but DS was never in distress.

I think it's important not to rush the pushing process with a large baby. My midwife had me take it slowly, and really work with my body. She also spent a lot of time massaging my perineum with a hot cloth. Due to all of that, I didn't even tear! So it can be done. Here's wishing you a wonderful birth!

bride2005!! · May 2012

I was told that my DS would be close to 10lbs and that I would have to consider my options. I decided that I would be induced at 39 weeks and he was measuring close to 9 lbs. I was already 5 cm when I was induced so I was definitely ready. Anyway, my DS was born with no complications and he was only 7lbs 8ozs. They were WAY off. My advice is to wait as long as possible.

Cozfijibride · May 2012

With DS, had a growth scan at 37 weeks. Don't really remember the actual number they came up with all I know is the peri-natologist said it was a big baby.

Next day, went to my Dr. and he hinted he didn't believe the growth report and would like to induce me at 38 weeks.. I decided I wanted the C at 39 weeks.

In recovery, my Dr. came in and said it was a good thing we did the C because there was no way I would have pushed him out. 9lb14oz. If I recall correctly, the growth scan wasn't that far off.

I was HUGE. Common sense told me that I was carrying a BIG baby.

DCsara · May 2012

At my last ultrasound this past Thursday they estimated my son's weight at 9 lb 13 oz! I just had him via repeat c-section on Tuesday and he was 8 lb 8 oz. He had been measuring huge at every ultrasound too! So yes, they can be off by a good bit, though I'm not sorry I did the c section since my DD was less than 7 pounds and they didn't think she would have fit.

Jitterbug2668 · May 2012

I delivered a 10lb son as a FTM, (4 hours of labor, 45 minutes of pushing) during a scheduled induction process. At 32 weeks he measured 5lbs and some change, by 36 weeks I believe he measured 8+ but my doctor then went on vacation for 2 weeks and although I was dialated a good bit (5cm) and had my membranes stripped I ended up still being induced at 39w4d. It's completely doable as long as the baby/mom are never in distress. Epidurals are marvelous. I had to labor on all 4s for about 30 minutes and I hated that part the most, the rest, you quickly forget about once you seen the little person inside of you out and in your arms.

With this pregnancy... at 31w sonogram, the baby measured 4lbs. I have another sonogram next week for a weight check. My doctor is definitely concerned about me delivering another 10lb child, but I'm not sweating it one single bit. I know my body is capable of doing it, and if something happens, I'll just have a csection. It all results in a healthy baby in the end.

With both of my pregnancies, I've had GD so the large babies come from that and I DH and I are both tall have big feet therefore I think we just produce big babies.

FamilyIsLove · May 2012

I wasn't told (they had no idea) but I delivered a 10lb 5oz baby. This was my first pregnancy. I knew I'd have a larger baby (family history) but not that large. It was somewhat of a difficult birth (3 hrs of pushing, episiotomy, major muscle tears (for me) - went home on crutches, etc) but baby was fine. I am the type that hates c-sections and wouldn't want one unless absolutely necessary so I was sort of glad they didn't do a size check on baby -- Otherwise they might have recommended a csection. It's amazing what our bodies can handle. Although I had a touch recovery, my DD was perfectly healthy and my body healed pretty quickly (which was amazing to me). I literally couldn't lift my feet a millimeter off the ground due to hte muscle tears in my lower stomach. It was REALLY REALLY painful but I would have done it again in a heartbeat.

Alli923 · May 2012

My first DD was 9lbs 8oz at birth. At 37 wks. they estimated her weight to be 9lbs 14oz, so they were pretty darn close. We were pretty confident in the estimates though. I had many scans due to other complications through out my pregnancy with her and she consistently measured about 4 weeks ahead and my fundal growth was always 3-4 cm. ahead. Plus, I was over 10lbs at birth.

This past Monday, we went for a growth scan for DD #2, and they are estimating her to be at 10lbs. 4oz now. Again, she's measured ahead my entire pregnancy (and I know exactly when she was conceived, so it isn't that our dates are off).

I had desperately wanted a VBAC, but knowing that it is likely she will be quite large, the risks of a VBAC with a large baby, and that the recovery will likely be just as bad as a c/s (with possible 3rd-4th degree tearing), shoulder dystocia, and the possibility that I might labor and then still need a c/s...we decided to schedule a RCS.

I think you should consider all of the factors: your family history, your previous pregnancy, any risks to you and the baby, and your doctors advice and make your decision based on that.

mrsjenni · May 2012

Both my kids were measuring over 7lbs at 33 and 34 weeks. Because the margin of error is SO LARGE with growth u/s, I'd never make a delivery decision based solely on that. My belly was also measuring 6 weeks ahead the entire time as well.

FTR, I was induced with both kids due to pre-e.

DS was born at 38w0d and was 9.5lbs and 21in.

DD was born at 39w0d and was 9.3lbs at 20 3/4in.

Clearly both would have been over 10lbs (especially DS, he would have been closer to 11lbs) and I was able to deliver both vaginally with no real problems.

Whatever you do, don't go right to a c/s. Please, oh please don't do that. I know SO MANY people that have and then deliver 7lb babies (at 40 w).

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