BIG BABY fears - 38 week ultrasound said she was 9+ lbs

vlcoley · January 2014

Hi all -

I am pregnant with my second baby (a little girl) and just over 38 weeks along. Since early in my pregnancy my daughter has been "measuring big" anywhere from 1-3 weeks ahead of schedule. My first daughter was 8 lbs and 20 inches so she wasn't a dainty little thing. I am almost 5'11" and my husband is 6'4" (we are both tall and slender) so we knew we would likely have babies on the bigger side. However, this little (or should I say big) one is measuring bigger than I expected. My doctor scheduled me for a 38 week ultrasound which I just had on Monday. The ultrasound tech said the baby was measuring 9 lbs 2 oz (WOW) but also said that measurement could be give or take 1 lb. I am totally freaked out! I had a conversation with my doctor who said that anytime they predict a baby is going to be 10+ lbs at due date, they typically schedule a c section. I am sure there are plenty of women out there who have had a fine experience with c sections but I would like to try to avoid one if possible. My first daughter was born vaginally - I was induced a week after my due date, labored with no meds for about 4 hours, got an epidural and rested for another 2 hours, pushed for 30 minutes and she was here! Small 2nd degree tear that healed nicely. Of course, in my mind, my second delivery was going to be just like my first (here is to dreaming) and I am so disappointed to find out that it likely will not. Any women out there have experience with birthing large babies? Any advice? I have read that these ultrasound measurements can be pretty inaccurate BUT both the tech and my doctor (who I really love and have a great relationship with and trust completely) seem to think the measurement is pretty accurate (again, give or take 1 lb). I was hoping that when my doctor checked me we would find that I was a couple cm dilated and effaced but no such luck. The baby is still rather high and I am only about 1 cm dilated so she said that induction is not ideal because my body is not indicating that it is "ready" for labor. Please share any similar experiences! I don't know if I should go to the store and buy some caster oil and primrose oil and see if I can get things started on my own? Of course my husband is trying to convince me that lots and lots of sex will do the trick;). Any advice is greatly appreciated!

dunvilles · January 2014

Sizing ultrasounds are just a guess. If your doctor isn't concerned, don't worry yourself over this. It is what it is.

SuperMom17 · January 2014

I a, 5' tall and 100 lbs... Both of my LOs were over 8 lbs, born at 38 weeks. Had I gone to term they likely would have been over 9 and I had absolutely no issues. If your daughter was 8 and some change a week late, I wouldn't be that concerned. Not that 8 or 9 lbs is anything to shake a stick at, but I certain,y wouldn't schedule a c-section based on it. If it comes to it, fine, but chances are you will be just fine.

rainydayluck · January 2014

There was JUST a post on this and it is still on the first page of posts.
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12239771/big-baby-vaginal-vs-c-section#latest

ncbelle · January 2014

Ultrasounds just aren't accurate on weight late term - even the ACOG doesn't recommend induction or c-section for a suspected "big" baby.

My first was 8lb 6oz; my second was 10 even. I had a med-free vaginal delivery and didn't even tear. Using different positions in labor definitely makes a difference - hands and knees or squatting open the pelvis the most - if you do have a larger baby.

I think EPO, sex, lot of walking are all good. I would NOT do castor oil though!!

ktpaladino · January 2014

Everyone I've ever known who has gotten one of these weight estimate ultrasounds at the end- the doctors were WAY off. It's really is just a guess. Don't let this info freak you out.

PrimRoseMama · January 2014

rainydayluck said:
There was JUST a post on this and it is still on the first page of posts.
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12239771/big-baby-vaginal-vs-c-section#latest

But...but... She's a special snowflake! :P

beachcomberbride · January 2014

It sounds like your doctor is the one who is recommending a C section?? If this is the case, I would be having serious doubts, no matter how much you love or trust him or her. A 10+ pound baby is not a reason to schedule a C section, there are plenty of women who birth babies over 9 and 10 pounds vaginally.

vlcoley · January 2014

Thank you for the feedback! It is all very reassuring and reinforces that my instincts to wait and try a vaginal birth are probably the right thing to do.

To the previous poster - Did you end up going into labor naturally? Or did they induce you?

erjarv · February 2014

If this makes you feel any better, I'm 5'11" and DH is 6'2", and with DS they told me he was going to be 11 lbs when they did an ultrasound at 38 weeks and again at 40 weeks. He ended up being 9 lbs. I know that's still a big baby, but it's WAY better than 11! They could be off even more than a pound. Don't worry! The later the ultrasound the less accurate the measurements are.

Crazijewel · February 2014

I wouldn't be too worried, these can be off. I would ask if LO is at risk for shoulder dystocia. My son was which is why I had a c/s. They took extra measurements bc of his predicted size. He ended up being 9.2 and 22&3/4 inches- smaller than their predicted 10 lbs. I will have more growth ultrasounds with this guy too to check for the same problem. Plenty of people birth big babies, but I wasn't taking the chance of breaking my son's collar bone/shoulder on the way out since he was at high risk for that. I would ask about shoulder dystocia

jazzyexpo · February 2014

I agree with everything already said. Just adding- never try castor oil.

RebeccaY1 · February 2014

I've read so many pregnancy books that mention that it's very difficult to measure the size of the baby based upon ultrasounds. A lot of times they are inaccurate up to 2-5 pounds. I wouldn't get a c-section based upon this information alone.