Big baby

cbreef · July 2013

I just got back from my 36 week appt. LO is measuring about 7 lbs already and my OB is concerned that if I go to my due date LO will be more like 9 - 10lbs. She would like me to go into labor next week or the next. OMG! I guess it's time to eat spicy foods and walk a lot. Any other ideas to naturally induce labor?

JBear02 · July 2013

The measurements of the baby can be off by up to 2 lbs. Why would you want to induce before baby is even term? That just sounds like a bad idea to me.

Also, plenty of people have delivered big babies naturally... Is there another reason why your OB wants to induce early?

lydsyjane · July 2013

My coworker who is not a big, tall lady told me today that she gave birth to a 12 lb 13 oz. baby. "He came right out, it was my easiest delivery!" She told me.
I believe that our bodies do not make babies that are "too big" for us to deliver.

cbreef · July 2013

She doesn't want to induce me. She really wants me to naturally go into labor, but in the next couple weeks. She will let me go to my due date, but she feels that the baby is fully grown and ready. Next week she'll be full term at 37 weeks.

lydsyjane · July 2013

My coworker who is not a big, tall lady told me today that she gave birth to a 12 lb 13 oz. baby. "He came right out, it was my easiest delivery!" She said.
I believe that our bodies do not make babies that are "too big" for us to give birth to.

lkobriant · July 2013

I would seriously question why your OB would want you to go so early. Like PP said, us can be off by up to 2 lbs and people can deliver a 9 lb baby naturally. I'd definitely talk about it and wait it out as long as you can.

BlondieBia21 · July 2013

I agree with PP. Any other reasons besides measurement? I know I've been worried about my LO measuring small and they have said that they will induce me if it stays that way (find out tomorrow) but at the same time I know that they can be off..

rooftop · July 2013

JBear02 said:

The measurements of the baby can be off by up to 2 lbs. Why would you want to induce before baby is even term? That just sounds like a bad idea to me.

Also, plenty of people have delivered big babies naturally... Is there another reason why your OB wants to induce early?

this! sounds like your OB is just intervention happy.

Lilmrslay · July 2013

I also have a big baby apparently. She is in the 90th percentile and 7.5lbs at 37 weeks. They are inducing me next week, but that's because I have gestational diabetes, not due to size. If GD wasn't involved they would be letting me go. I would question induction for size. Are you a particularly tiny person? I only ask because my OB does have concerns about my size and baby's but I am only just 5'1" and petite.

soontobeamomof3 · July 2013

I went today for my 36 week as well,LO is measuring at 40 weeks (fundal height) and my Dr is guessing him at 8lbs all ready. He is sending me to do a growth scan on Monday to check everything out. I'm shocked that your doctor would just say she wants you to go into labor with out even doing a growth scan. Don't try to induce on your own just due to size it also won't work if your body isn't ready it would just cause unneeded stress and pain. Both of my other children weighed in at 8lbs14oz 23 1/2in and 8lbs 12oz 21 1/2in. Some of us just create big babies

Michelle N · July 2013

Yeah I'm surprised by what your OB is saying. They can be majorly wrong. Plus... what does your OB actually mean by wanting you to go into labour next week? Natural inductions won't work until baby is ready. And at only 37 weeks? Weird.

crogers19 · July 2013

That is NOT big. Your doctor is being a lazy pussy.

MommyKristin88 · July 2013

JBear02 said:

The measurements of the baby can be off by up to 2 lbs. Why would you want to induce before baby is even term? That just sounds like a bad idea to me.

Also, plenty of people have delivered big babies naturally... Is there another reason why your OB wants to induce early?

Exactly. Weight ESTIMATES are not a good reason to induce labor. If I were in your position I would try to wait until I am close to 40 weeks before considering induction (like 39 weeks or later).

KristiBree · July 2013

FWIW... with DS they measured him at 8lbs 2 oz at 36week ultrasound and he was born at 40w1d at only 7lbs 12oz.

BlondieBia21 · July 2013

Agree with PP.. Any other reasons?

BlondieBia21 · July 2013

Agree with PP.. Any other reasons?

MommyKristin88 · July 2013

JBear02 said:

The measurements of the baby can be off by up to 2 lbs. Why would you want to induce before baby is even term? That just sounds like a bad idea to me.

Also, plenty of people have delivered big babies naturally... Is there another reason why your OB wants to induce early?

Exactly. Please don't rush to do an induction based off an ESTIMATE that is frequently very wrong.

Emeraldeyed315 · July 2013

JBear02 said:

The measurements of the baby can be off by up to 2 lbs. Why would you want to induce before baby is even term? That just sounds like a bad idea to me.

Also, plenty of people have delivered big babies naturally... Is there another reason why your OB wants to induce early?

This...I'd be cautious.

MommyAmes2 · July 2013

Inducing because baby is "thought" to be big, is not a good reason to induce. Especially at 37 weeks.

Besides, women birth babies that are 9-10 lbs all the time, why can't you? I would decline the induction unless its medically necessary, and do your research.

MommyAmes2 · July 2013

Why is my comment not showing up?!

traia · July 2013

Would like you to go into labor, or to try and jump start labor? Babies come when they are ready, unless your doctor wants to induce. I would at least wait until your past your due date.

MommyAmes2 · July 2013

Bump burp

afrochick09 · July 2013

I'd have to agree with what pp said. My SIL delivered her 10 pound LO vaginally, so it is possible. Maybe not the most comfortable.

amarissa85 · July 2013

JBear02 said:
The measurements of the baby can be off by up to 2 lbs. Why would you want to induce before baby is even term? That just sounds like a bad idea to me.

Also, plenty of people have delivered big babies naturally... Is there another reason why your OB wants to induce early?

This exactly.

NiksMama · July 2013

Just because baby may be big, doesn't mean its lungs are developed earlier. I wouldn't let them induce any earlier than 39 weeks.

Fwiw, I'm carrying a big baby too and am faced with the same question of inducing early. You can say no if you want. The mayo clinic, American association if pediatrics and assoc of OB/Gyns have good factual articles about this on their websites.

amarissa85 · July 2013

JBear02 said:
The measurements of the baby can be off by up to 2 lbs. Why would you want to induce before baby is even term? That just sounds like a bad idea to me.

Also, plenty of people have delivered big babies naturally... Is there another reason why your OB wants to induce early?

This.

WheeLinTheSky3 · July 2013

My LO was measuring 6 lbs 10 oz. at 36 weeks. No one has mentioned a single thing about delivering early due to size. Those scans are an estimate and can be wrong + or minus a pound or more. I would definitely not be trying to induce before term unless there was a serious medical condition such as Preeclampsia. I would also be wary of an OB that is encouraging induction this early based solely on that factor.

Texasmomma13 · July 2013

I had my 34 week appt. on monday and the u/s estimated my LO to be 6.2lbs already. I talked to the doc and she wasn't worried at all. She said that only puts her in the 60-65th percentile, IF the measurements are even accurate. I don't see what the big deal is about a "possible" 7 pounder at 36 weeks. sounds pretty average to me, maybe a little big, but definitely not reason enough to induce at 37 weeks. That's just crazy! Do you have other health concerns that could be the major factor to your doctor's reasoning?

crogers19 · July 2013

Yeah no those measurements are only an estimate. And your doc sounds like she's being lazy. Big babies are not a reason to induce or have a section.

That.Just.Happened · July 2013

My LO was measuring 7.5lb at 34w, so I feel your pain. Do keep in mind that the measurements are not super-accurate. I am going to have to be induced early due to my GD and I know my OB is concerned with the size of the baby as well.

zora51 · July 2013

Like PP said, if another another reason to induce? A 9-10 lb baby is healthy and normal!! And women birth babies that size all the time. I also agree with PP that those measurements can be quite a bit off... Good luck!

rissa06 · July 2013

that's a bit usual that your ob is talking induction at 36 weeks to be induced at 37/38 weeks. In general, unless there is another reason, they won't talk about it until 39 weeks and I believe insurance doesn't cover an induction for a big baby until 39 weeks anyway. also, as the above poster said, those can be off a pound each way.

laceylavallee · July 2013

JBear02 said:
The measurements of the baby can be off by up to 2 lbs. Why would you want to induce before baby is even term? That just sounds like a bad idea to me.

Also, plenty of people have delivered big babies naturally... Is there another reason why your OB wants to induce early?

All of this.

tarapike86 · July 2013

They estimated mine at 7 lbs at 36 weeks also.

MammaBear81 · July 2013

Even if your baby is 7 pounds (and I agree with PP that U/S can be off) baby gains roughly 1/2 a pound a week, so that's 9 pounds at 40 weeks, and that's if you go to 40 weeks. Unless your DR has another reason for inducing then I'd decline and wait it out.

On a side note, pretty much all of the "natural" ways to induce labor won't work unless your body is ready, and at 36 weeks, it's not. Feel free to do all the walking, spicy foods, pineapple, and nipple stimulation that you'd like!

coraggiosa · July 2013

JBear02 said:

The measurements of the baby can be off by up to 2 lbs. Why would you want to induce before baby is even term? That just sounds like a bad idea to me.

Also, plenty of people have delivered big babies naturally... Is there another reason why your OB wants to induce early?

:-bd Completely agree. I would never agree to an induction based on estimated size alone. The measurements can be so far off that it isn't at all accurate. I would get a second opinion from another OB. This OB sounds like someone who just wants you to give birth on their time.

cinderin · July 2013

I have been told measuring u/s can be off by as much as 20 percent. Have you had any others? Has the baby been measuring big all along?

There are medical reasons for induction and c/s (believe me- I am living them) but I would not induce or have a c/s based on the estimated size of the baby.

cole2144 · July 2013

If this is not MUD then I would seriously rethink my choice of doctor. When I had DS, he was 9lbs 3oz and 22 inches and while it was no picnic, it was certainly manageable. This LO will probably measure close to the same. I can`t see a doctor hoping you go into labor at 37 weeks simply for size reasons.

BelhurstBride · July 2013

Your OB is a quack. Educate yourself on "big babies," sounds like you could teach her a thing or two. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/

beezybaby · July 2013

Yeah, my OB and US tech were convinced I was going to have a 10-11 pounder. NOPE! A healthy 8.perfect as DH says.

Also, a 9 lb baby is no reason to induce or do a planned CS...don't let them convince you otherwise.

I know it is scary, but hold out as long as you can, and if your doc is pressuring you, ask for a second opinion.

cole2144 · July 2013

My son was born at 9lbs 3oz and 22 inches and this LO will most likely also be in that range. I would seriously rethink my choice of doctor if I were you. I really can`t see a doctor inducing at 37 weeks just because of size.

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