Fetal Weight Scan

bchildrn · June 2014

We went for our 37 week appt on Friday and we asked the OB how big the baby is since we haven't had an ultrasound since 20 weeks. He felt around and said that the baby feels to be big he thinks approx 9 lbs right now. And upon exam that the head is still floating above my pelvis I.e. Nowhere near delivery time apparently. That being said, DH and I were both big babies and my mom had shoulder dystocia with me and had to have an emergent c-section so obviously this is a concern of mine. We decided to do a FWS scheduled for Tuesday. I am just wondering your experience with them. I know there is a 10% margin for error. Were yours accurate? My feeling is that if there is even an inkling of a baby that big on the scan that I would schedule a section to avoid any risk to LO and myself. I am feeling nervous as obviously this isn't what I expected to hear. Obviously it is not the end of the world, this I know but I have never had abdominal surgery so now I am scared.

Nichole8787 · June 2014

I wouldn't schedule a c section based on just weight. It is completely possible tho have a large baby vaginally. A c section is major surgery.

mrscurlygurl · June 2014

Is your doctor concerned about your personal ability to birth a large baby?

seells · June 2014

I agree with PP. I wouldn't schedule a csection based on an estimate. They can be off by 2lbs. That 9lb baby could potentially be a 7lb baby. Not to mention if you plan on more children you need to consider how having a csection could affect that. It can be difficult to find doctors and hospitals that are supportive of vbacs. (Vaginal birth after cesarean) Not to mention the risks csections increase for other pregnancies. (Like placenta previa)

jnnfrrose6 · June 2014

My SIL was told her baby was over 8 lbs. Little girl came out at just over 7.

I was told DD was 6lbs 14oz. Born the next day at 6lbs 13oz.

So, the scan can be right on or off by a bit. You won't know until LO is here and I agree with PP that a large baby is no reason to schedule a csection unless your doctor is concerned.

mamac12 · June 2014

I had a schedule c section with my first DS scab saris he wad 11.3 he wad born 10.6 but he had a very large Rib cage like his DH and me. I'm so glad I did have a section I have a RCS in 9 days for ds#2 and I am very excited as I had the best experience with my first and this d's is measuring to end up around the same of 10 1/2

bchildrn · June 2014

mrscurlygurl said:
Is your doctor concerned about your personal ability to birth a large baby?

He definitely didn't look confident I could. And when I mentioned the dystocia my mom had he said we would definitely do the scan. It didn't make me confident that trying vaginally would be a good plan for me.

ghostof5letters · June 2014

At 36w my daughter was estimated at 7lbs 11oz she was born at 40w at 7lbs 4oz. Incredibly inaccurate.

Acsim · June 2014

If it makes you uncomfortable, I say go for the section. I loved my first one, even though it was an ECS recovery was great for me. Looking forward to the next one in 8 days. I asked about VBAC but it isn't possible for me. I'm plus sized, but my pelvis is very narrow and the complications from my first birth weighed against everything else, and we felt like an RCS was the way to go.

sxymamakat · June 2014

My doc already scheduled a c section for 39 weeks. I was planning on an unmedicated birth, and was pretty upset that they decided based on several ultrasounds that this baby is simply too large for me. I have a tiny frame and they have estimated that the baby is already over 10 lbs at 36 weeks (I'm now 37). That said, I'm physically measuring beyond 44 weeks (didn't know the chart even went that far!) and was diagnosed with polyhydramnios (excess fluid) at 31 weeks. I literally look like I'm overdue with at least triplets and have a support belt I have to wear. I keep hoping I'm going to go into labor naturally before the c-section, but I think they'd still try to do the emergency C rather than let me try to do this on my own. I'm going along with the C because of a number of physicians consulting in on this and a few other health factors, but I wouldn't just schedule it because the baby "might" be a little big without the doctor being expressly concerned and doing more than just feeling the belly to guess at size.

MTAtlanta · June 2014

They can be way off. Ds measured fine and arrived at exactly 37 weeks at 9#. You just never know. I was able to have him natch and the recovery was super easy and fast. His shoulder got stuck but very briefly and it wasn't enough of a concern to automatically schedule a c section this time around.

They have ways of manipulating the lady bits if the shoulder is a concern and an ecs is always available if necessary.

Don't stress too much about it. They know your history and have lots of experience and can let you know if there is enough concern to warrant surgery.

Easier said than done to not worry though! :-)

iris427 · June 2014

I don think there is anything wrong with planning a c/s given the estimated weight and your mom's history, if that is what you are most comfortable with. I agree you should consider what having a c/s will mean for your future pregnancies and births. Like PPmentioned, finding a VBAC provider if you want one can be hard, and there are risks to multiple cesareans. But OTOH shoulder dystocia is scary and a true emergency and it can cause permanent issues for the baby. Plus vaginally delivering a large baby can cause damage to you too. Fetal weight estimates can be off in either direction. So yes, a 9 lb estimate can be a 7 lb baby. It could also be an 11 lb baby. Weigh all the risks and info with your doctor and go from there. GL with whatever you decide!

ghostof5letters · June 2014

ghostof5letters said:

At 36w my daughter was estimated at 7lbs 11oz she was born at 40w at 7lbs 4oz. Incredibly inaccurate.

ETA: I will say that based off of the ultrasound and the pelvic measurements, I did opt for the c-section my doctor argued against but was forced to offer.

I ended up loving my c-section and recovery and opted for a rcs based off that original experience.

Your original question asked about the scan being accurate and in my experience it definitely was not.

Lhalliburton · June 2014

They estimated my DD at almost 10 lbs the day before my c-section via ultrasound. I declined a c-section, but ended up having one because my body wasn't ready for the induction. DD was born at 6 lbs 15 oz.

dobbyisfree · June 2014

I wonder if anyone has ever had one of these scans under estimate? Everyone always says it can be off in either direction, but it seems like everyone always has a scan for a 9-10 pound baby and has a 7-8 pound baby in real life.

klynne924 · June 2014

My doctor told me last week they themselves are not accurate enough to judge a baby's weight in utero just by feeling and looking. With DS, at my 40 week appointment, my then doctor told me he would likely be a 7 lb baby. Wrong! 12 days later he was born and weighed 9 lbs 5 oz. DD is currently measuring 7 lbs 7 oz as of Thursday at a routine size scan since I am attempting a VBAC. She has been measuring between 40-50% in weight since my 20 week u/s and I have had 5 since then. This past one was done by a different tech and she was measuring in the 63rd percentile, which makes me wonder if she really has grown that much or if it is just because a different tech did this u/s. Either way my doctors don't think she will be close to being as large as DS. I personally would not schedule a c-section because of baby's weight.

blackberry1006 · June 2014

amlonica said:
I wonder if anyone has ever had one of these scans under estimate? Everyone always says it can be off in either direction, but it seems like everyone always has a scan for a 9-10 pound baby and has a 7-8 pound baby in real life.

My sister had a scan and was told her baby was 8 pounds (at 41 weeks) and she had a 10 lb 5 oz baby by emergency c section a few days later. She is just over five feet so they were worried he would be a little big, but they didn't expect him to be that big. I don't think this is the norm, but scans can be off either way.

Lhalliburton · June 2014

amlonica said:
I wonder if anyone has ever had one of these scans under estimate? Everyone always says it can be off in either direction, but it seems like everyone always has a scan for a 9-10 pound baby and has a 7-8 pound baby in real life.

My husband and his ex had a growth scan with their son and he was estimated to be about 6 lbs because she was measuring tiny for 41 weeks.
He was born the next day at 8 lbs 6 oz.

Nicole3&counting · June 2014

My best friend got induced because they believed she had a big baby. It was a horrible labor that ended in an emergency c- section because her body was not the least bit ready to have a baby. He came out 7 lbs 3 oz. they were more than 2 lbs off.

Jshort914 · June 2014

With my first, they estimated he would be 7 1/2 pounds at birth based on my 36 wk growth scan. When he was born at 39 3d, he was 7lb 7oz, so in this case they were right on.

britt1141 · June 2014

With both of mine they have been very close with their guesses on weight. I go to a high risk Dr though and they do a very detailed ultrasound where they measure everything multiple times. I've definitely heard of a lot of other people who were told inaccurate info though.

Monicalynnsd · July 2014

This is advice from my doula, don't ever let a doctor or anyone tell you that you are too small to give birth to your baby. She has witnessed a very tiny girl give birth unmedicated to a 10+ lb baby twice. Typically our bodies don't produce babies larger than we can birth...larger than doctors are comfortable birthing yes, but our bodies can usually handle it. A C section is a serious surgery and in my opinion I'd avoid it.

bchildrn · July 2014

Went for our scan today... I am 38 weeks today and LO is measuring 41w4d... and 10lb 7oz... OB basically told us the only thing he's comfortable with is c-section, now we are waiting for the call as to when. He told us that they wait till at least 39 weeks so if this weight is accurate who knows what LO will actually weigh when he or she makes their arrival. I am anxious, terrified and excited all at once. I mean I guess it's cool we'll know what day LO will be here but I really don't love the idea of having surgery. Working in the medical field it is so hard to hand over control and be a good patient. I'm trying really hard but it is not easy. I wanna go all BSC and just have LO tomorrow. I hate waiting... it's gonna be a long week I think.

iris427 · July 2014

Monicalynnsd said:

This is advice from my doula, don't ever let a doctor or anyone tell you that you are too small to give birth to your baby. She has witnessed a very tiny girl give birth unmedicated to a 10+ lb baby twice. Typically our bodies don't produce babies larger than we can birth...larger than doctors are comfortable birthing yes, but our bodies can usually handle it. A C section is a serious surgery and in my opinion I'd avoid it.

I don't think you can make sweeping statements like this about childbirth. Sometimes babies are too big to be born safely via vaginal birth. Your doula may have witnessed one woman deliver a 10 lber safely, but that doesn't change the fact that large babies are at higher risk for potentially serious complications. Maybe the OP's doctor saw someone deliver a 10 lb baby and it had permanent nerve or brain damage, or the mom suffered major damage to her pelvic region.

A c-section is surgery but it's safe overall and there are times when a c/s is warranted. It's up to the OP and her doctor to decide if this is one of those times.

Monicalynnsd · July 2014

I'm not saying there are times that a c-section isn't warranted, I know that there are. I'm not a doctor, and I hope people would be smart enough to do their own research, listen to their own bodies and seek advice from qualified medical professionals, this is mainly an opinion and from experience forum, so that's all I can give. The fact is the c-section rate in America is something like 30%, and in my book that's ridiculously high and many of them are unnecessary.

iris427 · July 2014

Monicalynnsd said:

I'm not saying there are times that a c-section isn't warranted, I know that there are. I'm not a doctor, and I hope people would be smart enough to do their own research, listen to their own bodies and seek advice from qualified medical professionals, this is mainly an opinion and from experience forum, so that's all I can give. The fact is the c-section rate in America is something like 30%, and in my book that's ridiculously high and many of them are unnecessary.

I'm not talking about the overall c/s rate. The problem is with black and white statements like never letting a doctor tell you a baby is too big to be born vaginally. Sometimes babies are big enough where a c/s is the safest option, or at least equally reasonable as delivering vaginally. I'm simply saying that absolutes like "never" don't apply here.

tlpat24 · July 2014

I had my EFW U/S today and baby measured 9 lbs 15 oz (basically 10) at 37 weeks. I'm having a different tech repeat U/S Thursday b/c doc didn't believe it. I don't see how my belly can even hold a baby that big along with placenta and fluid because I don't look any bigger than a normal 37 week pregnant lady. Doc did mention c-section today which I'm not a fan of. I work in surgery and have done c-sections so I'm not afraid of the surgery I just want a healthy baby. I'm hoping the scan was wrong and baby is really 7-8 lbs and I deliver naturally soon.

cookiemomma14 · July 2014

Reviving this thread. I had a scan today at 38 weeks and they estimated baby at 9 pounds even. They said that is fine and his head is in the 50%tile. But said his belly is measuring in the 98% tile. They mentioned a c-section because they said there is a 5-10% chance of shoulder dystocia. I have no idea what to do now. I don't want to go through a c-section unless absolutely necessary. Anyone have experience with the docs mentioning shoulder dystocia?

cookieinva · July 2014

A larger baby is just always at increased risk for shoulder dystocia. Did your dr say your or your baby in particular is at increased risk? I presume it is just the "usual" increased risk that goes along with size. FWIW, my older DS was over 10 lbs and no should dystocia; none for younger DS either but he was smaller.

dobbyisfree · July 2014

Oh I could leave my real stats on here for the curious. 4 weeks before birth growth scan said 5 lbs 2 oz, 47th percentile. 2 weeks was 5 lbs 9 oz, 32nd percentile. Then the day before he was born I had a third, in the hospital fetal monitoring lab, and the doctor herself said he was right around 7 lbs. I mentioned oh gee thats weird, he would have grown an awful lot this week. She said babies do that, and she could see his chipmunk cheeks so she believed it. Okay. Then he was born and he was 6 lbs 1 oz, a lot closer to our original techs info. And the cheeks are the only chunky thing about him.

iris427 · July 2014

cookieinva said:
A larger baby is just always at increased risk for shoulder dystocia. Did your dr say your or your baby in particular is at increased risk? I presume it is just the "usual" increased risk that goes along with size. FWIW, my older DS was over 10 lbs and no should dystocia; none for younger DS either but he was smaller.

It sounds from her post like they are saying his large tummy measurement increases the SD risk, not just his overall weight.

@bcook530‌ my baby had a shoulder dystocia this time, but we were lucky and it was resolved quickly. If you have questions I can try to answer based on my experience.

AMcLaws · July 2014

iris427 said:

Monicalynnsd said:

This is advice from my doula, don't ever let a doctor or anyone tell you that you are too small to give birth to your baby. She has witnessed a very tiny girl give birth unmedicated to a 10+ lb baby twice. Typically our bodies don't produce babies larger than we can birth...larger than doctors are comfortable birthing yes, but our bodies can usually handle it. A C section is a serious surgery and in my opinion I'd avoid it.

I don't think you can make sweeping statements like this about childbirth. Sometimes babies are too big to be born safely via vaginal birth. Your doula may have witnessed one woman deliver a 10 lber safely, but that doesn't change the fact that large babies are at higher risk for potentially serious complications. Maybe the OP's doctor saw someone deliver a 10 lb baby and it had permanent nerve or brain damage, or the mom suffered major damage to her pelvic region.

A c-section is surgery but it's safe overall and there are times when a c/s is warranted. It's up to the OP and her doctor to decide if this is one of those times.

This. That's great that your doula saw a tiny girl give birth to a 10 lb baby. She obviously had the build for it. I'm a big girl, so people assume I can just pop a kid out. Not so. I have a very narrow pelvis and babies can't drop down in order to be born. Hence, csections for me. Yes, it's surgery. Not as "major" (for me, anyway) as everyone makes it out to be.

cookiemomma14 · July 2014

iris427 said:

cookieinva said:
A larger baby is just always at increased risk for shoulder dystocia. Did your dr say your or your baby in particular is at increased risk? I presume it is just the "usual" increased risk that goes along with size. FWIW, my older DS was over 10 lbs and no should dystocia; none for younger DS either but he was smaller.
It sounds from her post like they are saying his large tummy measurement increases the SD risk, not just his overall weight.

@bcook530‌ my baby had a shoulder dystocia this time, but we were lucky and it was resolved quickly. If you have questions I can try to answer based on my experience.

Yes they are worried about SD upon the belly measurements not the overall weight. They said his legs are long too which makes sense because people are over 6 feet in my family (but sadly not my average 5'5"). They said the risk is low (5-10%) but were still offering a c-section. I'd love to hear about your experiences. We asked the doc many questions and I've been reading online, but all info is helpful

cookieinva · July 2014

I've not heard of and am not familiar with SD based solely upon belly size. Of course, I'm not a doctor. I am familiar with it in the context of macrosomia only, which I discussed in detail with my ob based n my history. I am having a hard time visualizing a large belly causing SD. It is a low risk, but not having dealt with SD personally I don't have much else to offer.

iris427 · July 2014

cookieinva said:

I've not heard of and am not familiar with SD based solely upon belly size. Of course, I'm not a doctor. I am familiar with it in the context of macrosomia only, which I discussed in detail with my ob based n my history. I am having a hard time visualizing a large belly causing SD. It is a low risk, but not having dealt with SD personally I don't have much else to offer.

My guess is that a large belly measurement relative to head measurement makes it more likely the shoulders are big too and therefore will get stuck. Or maybe it will be harder for the baby to properly rotate in the pelvis after the head is born because the part of their body still inside is large and a more tight fit than usual.

After mine last week, the doctor commented that my baby had big chubby shoulders. I'm honestly glad this was my last baby, because I don't know what I would do with the increased risk of another SD if I was planning another baby. I wouldn't want a c/s, but SD is scary.

iris427 · July 2014

bcook530 said:

A larger baby is just always at increased risk for shoulder dystocia. Did your dr say your or your baby in particular is at increased risk? I presume it is just the "usual" increased risk that goes along with size. FWIW, my older DS was over 10 lbs and no should dystocia; none for younger DS either but he was smaller.
It sounds from her post like they are saying his large tummy measurement increases the SD risk, not just his overall weight. @bcook530‌ my baby had a shoulder dystocia this time, but we were lucky and it was resolved quickly. If you have questions I can try to answer based on my experience.
Yes they are worried about SD upon the belly measurements not the overall weight. They said his legs are long too which makes sense because people are over 6 feet in my family (but sadly not my average 5'5"). They said the risk is low (5-10%) but were still offering a c-section. I'd love to hear about your experiences. We asked the doc many questions and I've been reading online, but all info is helpful

The basic story is that I delivered the baby's head on my knees and felt that the body wasn't slipping out next. Just then they told me they needed me to flip over, so I knew he had gotten stuck. They did McRoberts with suprapubic pressure on me and luckily that got him out. Otherwise there are some other maneuvers they can do too. Fortunately my baby was just fine and started crying almost instantly. But SD babies can suffer nerve damage in their arm/shoulder and in really bad cases, the oxygen deprivation can lead to brain damage or death. It's a true obstetrical emergency where every minute matters, so that's pretty scary. Fortunately doctors and nurses are usually really prepared and rehearsed to respond to a SD--I could tell mine were--and I think most of the time they can get the baby out before they suffer serious harm. Incidentally my doctor said she was surprised we had a SD because I was on my knees, which is usually a really good position for preventing it--in fact, one of the ways to get a SD baby out is to put the mom on her hands and knees (can't really do that with an epidural though).

I was also really lucky that I didn't tear at all from the maneuvering they had to do to get him out. There are risks like that to the mom as well. HTH.

cookiemomma14 · July 2014

Thank you so much for sharing. I guess it's going to be a waiting game to see how things unfold. I'm planning to see another doctor in the practice too and see what they have to say.

iris427 · July 2014

bcook530 said:

Thank you so much for sharing. I guess it's going to be a waiting game to see how things unfold. I'm planning to see another doctor in the practice too and see what they have to say.

That sounds like a good idea. Best of luck with your delivery, whatever you decide.

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