Baby Above Average

aj3720 · July 2013

FTM here! I've been perusing the boards here since I entered my third trimester and its been so helpful, I wanted to see if I could get some feedback from the community as well.

We had our 32 week check-up today, with US, and the Doctor informed us that Baby (Jonas) is weighing in at 5 pounds, 7 ounces and is in the 95th percentile (according to the charts he showed me). Apparently the baby is big everywhere, and I'll have to have another US in 4 weeks to determine growth rate and birth plan... I do not have Gestational Diabetes (did not cheat) and am perfectly healthy - according to OBGYN.

Has anyone else had this type of experience? Should I expect an early labor or <gulp> C section??

luminousbluestar · July 2013

I would take it with a grain of salt when planning your delivery method. Ultrasounds are often not so accurate when it comes to weight prediction. I work at a hospital and have seen many women schedule a c/s cause they are told their baby is too big and then it comes out 7.5lbs or something. Personally I would labor as usual at full term and then if things stall out you will know the baby is too big and you can proceed to a c/s at that time. Trust me the recovery is so much easier for a vag delivery and you might be setting yourself up for repeat c/s for your future babies as well. Good luck!

1017Shannon · July 2013

I was just discussing this with a friend of mine...we just don't understand why doctors even guess!! They are wrong on the "hugeness" of babies sooo many times. Please don't freak yourself out! When the time comes you can let the doc/you decide what will happen. Don't think c sections are the end of the world...do what's right for your baby so you both end up healthy and ok!! Good luck...dont stress mama!!

doodlemonkey22 · July 2013

Ultrasound weight estimates in 3rd trimester are often wrong. When they give you an estimate you have to keep in mind that it can be off by a pound sometimes even two. I had an us after I was admitted for delivery with my first. The estimated weight was 9 lbs. He was7 lbs. I've have friends that were advised to have c sections because a big baby was expected and ended up having 6-7 lbs babies. For this reason many women opt to not do the weight estimate. All it really does is put doubts in your head about what your body is capable of doing.

aj3720 · July 2013

Thanks guys. Just a totally new experience and sometimes the doctors make you feel silly for asking. I also don't know where a gargantuan baby would come from! LOL.

doodlemonkey22 · July 2013

aj3720 said:

Thanks guys. Just a totally new experience and sometimes the doctors make you feel silly for asking. I also don't know where a gargantuan baby would come from! LOL.

It's not a silly question at all. When we are FTMs we tend to take everything OB says as gospel because he/she is the doctor.

Arielle27 · July 2013

I definitely wouldn't put too much creed into their estimations... My first was 8lb 12oz (ie 95th percentile at birth) and they had estimated him at 50-60th percentile. They also estimated my second at 50th percentile and she was only 5lb 13 oz at birth (ie 5th percentile). Even if your baby is that big at birth, you can handle it! Mine was born OP with a nuchal hand at nearly 9 lbs and I gave birth naturally (unmedicated)... And trust me I'm no superwoman!

BelhurstBride · July 2013

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/

swspear · July 2013

Hi there! FTM here also and like you, when I had an u/s two weeks ago (at 30 weeks), the baby showed to be in the 97% of size and was estimated to weigh 5 lbs already. Similarly, I do not have GD and have been deemed healthy throughout this whole pregnancy (with low sugars and low BP). The baby was measured and everything was proportionate to each other which they said is ideal - problems arise when the head is sized too small or too big.

I got myself very emotionally upset that day about how big the baby is (and me by extension) but as others have said, the weight approximation is just that: an estimation. Plus, many women give birth to 9-10lb babies without complications. And lastly, big babies often are said to eat well and sleep well during infancy so perhaps it's just a tradeoff? A physically tough 3rd trimester/labor for a good baby? I'll take it!

AlwaysForgetful · July 2013

I am a mandatory Csection, So I know my word does not count as much. My mother gave birth to 2 of us with very little tearing and we were close to 10lbs and just over 10lbs. She is only 5'1". So yes, it can be done.

aj3720 · July 2013

I agree that a large baby is a poor reason to do a CS, and I would never opt to do one. I don't want to be told that I have to!

And thank you all for the feedback - it's very appeasing! @swspear - I will also take the rough third trimester and forego any post-pregnancy issues! After all, the goal is to have a happy, healthy baby.

Spoilmeposh · July 2013

With my last I had measured big from 20 weeks. When I was 3 days past my due date I had an NST with ultrasound and they estimated my baby was 10 lbs 12 oz. I was scared so I scheduled a c-section 5 days later...with no signs of baby coming on his own. He was born 10 lbs 10oz so the ultrasound was pretty right on for me. With that said I wish so much that I would have at least tried to have him vaginally. I had two previous vaginal deliveries with no problem and now that I'm pregnant again and my hospital doesn't offer VBAC I'm really wishing I had done things different.

CourtJack · July 2013

Agree with everyone who's posted about growth scans being off. My doula put it into perspective for me - as I'm having a VBAC. If women truly were growing all these humungous babies that we're unable to birth naturally - our species really wouldn't have evolved as we have. We can birth big babies and we can do it well. Trust in your body :-)

CourtJack · August 2013

I never said it was easy. I've had a child - I'm aware that it's called labour for a reason. But scaring women into thinking they're having a huge baby when there is no actual proof that they are, is unnecessary. Doctors encouraging women to schedule c-sections due to a possible big baby is wrong.

somerandomchick said:

Agree with everyone who's posted about growth scans being off. My doula put it into perspective for me - as I'm having a VBAC. If women truly were growing all these humungous babies that we're unable to birth naturally - our species really wouldn't have evolved as we have. We can birth big babies and we can do it well. Trust in your body :-)
Childbirth used to be the #1 cause of death for women. Humans are really pretty poor at giving birth compared to other species, thanks to our giant heads. Just because birth is a natural thing doesn't make it easy. Just saying.

noahsmommy81 · August 2013

I wouldn't worry.. They aren't always spot on, and I know someone who had an 11 lb baby naturally! (I admire her greatly for that..). My doctor and I both agree, it's much better for the baby to be too large rather than too small. Good job on growing that baby, mama!!

Texasmomma13 · August 2013

aj3720 said:

. I do not have Gestational Diabetes (did not cheat) and am perfectly healthy - according to OBGYN.

Not to go off topic...but, what did you mean by this, OP?

grace_smith03 · August 2013

My first was 9 pounds, 4 oz, my second was 9 pounds, 11 oz. I delivered both vaginally. I'm anticipating the third to be in this ballpark. In many cases, larger babies are longer, so they're proportional. Ultrasound guestimates are normally off by 10-15%, so keep that in mind.

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