Gigantic Noggins...

Re: Gigantic Noggins...

• lbonga1 member

  July 2014

  It's really hard to get an accurate measurement this late in the game. Weight estimates can be off up to 2 pounds in either direction. Some babies just have bigger heads. I wouldn't be concerned if your doctor isn't. 

   

  
  

  

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• portentosa member

  July 2014

  I second that weight estimations at this stage are very difficult to make accurately.
  
  My DS has always had a very large head (95th percentile), including when he was born and I had him vaginally. I wouldn't have any concerns for a natural birth based on his size.
  
  Careful looking for "explanations" of his measurements on the internet. If your doctor hasn't brought up any concerns my advice would be to trust him/her.
  

  

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• KittyMisha member

  July 2014

  A good friend of mine vaginally delivered a daughter whose head was in the 99th percentile, and it stayed there until she was over 1. She was sort of a goofy looking kid, but there was nothing medically wrong with her. Also, she grew into it and she's adorable now.

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• Tapsalteerie member

  July 2014

  DD had a large head in utero and even at the age of 3 it remains large.  The rest of her body is catching up.  When she was a baby, they originally thought she might have hydrocephalus.  We kept an eye on her measurements.  Then one day, a doctor looked at DH and I, got some measuring tape, measured our heads and said "It's just because Mommy and Daddy have large heads."  She's fine.

  
  

  U/s measurements at this stage in the pregnancy can also be extremely off.

  

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• marialevinson member

  July 2014

  I'm 37 weeks and at all my appts his body has measured a week ahead and head 3-4 weeks ahead of schedule. Went to a HR doctor and he said everything was fine. But did suggest that forceps and vacuum should not be used during delivery due to his larger head. Hope that helps!

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• PaulandPregnantChelsea member

  July 2014

  Wow - Thank you all so much for responding!!

  
  

  I really appreciate the positive stories and it will definitely help me keep my sanity in tact.  I haven't spoken to my midwife about the results yet, but I plan on calling next week to get her take.  I'll post again when I get her opinion in case anyone is curious.

  
  

  Thanks again, everybody! You guys rock!

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• AMcLaws member

  July 2014

  My DD1 was born with a head in the 99th percentile. And this LO is measuring a massive head also. I happen to have a narrow pelvis, so I had to have a CS with DD1, and I'm opting to have one this time around. (Their daddy has a HUGE head also. Genetics, gotta love them.)
  
  If your doctor isn't concerned, then I wouldn't worry too much. He/she likely knows your birth plan/desires, yes? If he/she thinks it'll be a problem, they'll talk to you about it. Good luck!

  

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• BeachM member

  July 2014

  This kid's head is in the 96th percentile as of my 35 week growth scan.  My 3 year old's head has always been in the 80-90th percentile and he just outgrew his size 4-5 beach hat.  DH has an enormous head and FIL's head is of epic proportions.  I would be worried except I have a RCS scheduled.  DS1 was a failed induction because every time his giant head hit my cervix when I pushed I would un-dilate a bit and basically a lip formed on my cervix preventing him from coming out. 
  
  My experience is that OB's do not worry about these things until something happens during delivery.  Unfortunately there's not a whole lot you can do about it, but don't buy a lot of NB hats. 
  

  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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• 2redtulips member

  July 2014

  My baby's head was measuring in the 99th percentile at 33 weeks, and big heads definitely run in my family. All the big-headed babies have been totally fine, btw! 

  
  

  I am counting on the baby's flexible skull to do what it needs to do doing delivery, and I am counting on my doctor to make the call if a c-section becomes necessary. 
  
  I was freaking out about the big head for a couple of weeks, but I have since decided that freaking out won't help. This baby will get here how he needs to get here.

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  First-time mom, 35+, parenting after a loss (mmc Oct. 2012 @ 8 wks), ttc for a year after loss
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  January PAL siggie challenge; Good advice:
   
  
  

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• StefanyaMarie member

  July 2014

  My son had/has a huge head. He has always been in the 90th percentile on his head size. At 1 year they chose to do an MRI just to make sure that wasn't extra water in his brain, despite that intellectually he was right on track. The found nothing and we have just chalked it all up to genes. My husband has a huge head (like so big that he can't wear hats) and my mom's maiden name was Grosskopf which translated in German literally means "Big Head". The only issue I have every had with his head size was during labor and it wasn't drastic. I pushed for a while and just couldn't seem to get him out, when I say awhile we are talking like an hour...tops! I had a super short labor (Sorry for all you mom who didn't. You are super women!) Anyways, he first got under my pelvis so they had to have me roll for a few minutes for him to shift. Then after that he just didn't want to come out. Long story short, the doctor told me that his heart rate was dropping and that although it was an emergency yet, she wanted to get him out as quick as possible to avoid it turning into one and asked if I would be ok with an episiotomy since my birth plan said to avoid it at all costs. It's funny how quick your mind changes when you hear that your baby's heart rate is dropping. So yeah, episiotomy and on the next contraction my little Forrest was here, with a large cone head.  I wouldn't worry too much, baby's heads are very flexible and will shift so that they can fit. I'm sure you already know this but since you are a FTM I'm going to say it. Don't be shocked when baby comes out with a cone head and don't be worried when it sticks around for awhile. My son's head didn't fully round out for about two weeks after he was born. My dad used to joke that I had an alien...he thinks he's funny.

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• cozybluebear member

  July 2014

  My son's head measured 5 weeks ahead throughout my whole pregnancy. He's 17 months now and his pediatrician said he's finally growing into it. It sounds scary when they tell you but you don't even notice it when they are born. Try not to worry. If there was a problem, your doc would tell you.

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• LucilleAustero member

  July 2014

  PaulandPregnantChelsea said:

  Hey ladies!

  
  

  This is my first time posting on the bump, and I'm sorry to just swoop in with all these questions - but I don't have anyone else to ask!  I'm a FTM and due 8/31.

  
  

  At my 32 week ultrasound yesterday, I found out that our son's femur length puts him at 32 weeks, abdominal circumference puts him at 35 weeks, and head circumference puts him at 37 weeks.  Bottom line, he weighs 5 POUNDS 10 OUNCES at 32 weeks.

  
  

  I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes a few weeks ago, but since then I have yet to have a blood sugar over 100 (even after meals), so my GD specialist thinks I probably don't have it.  I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong and why he's getting so big.  Don't misunderstand, I'm very happy that he's not malnourished, but I'm really concerned about his measurements.

  
  

  He's always measured a couple weeks ahead on ultrasounds, but the 32 week femur and 37 week melon make me nervous.  Does anyone have any similar experiences?  I want to have a natural water birth and I'm really concerned about his size and the potential complications.

  
  

   I've scoured these boards and found all sorts of stories and explanations ranging from hydrocephalus to down syndrome to inaccurate ultrasound measurements and have found no comfort.  Anyone?  Thoughts?  

  I had undiagnosed GD with DD. It was discovered when DD was 15 months old that the lab had switched my results with someone else. She was 10lbs 9 ozs and was born a bit shy of 39 weeks. She measured off the charts from 28 weeks on. Except for her long bones. Femur is one of the long bones. She had short long bones. Her stomach and head measured 6-7 weeks ahead after 28 weeks. She was born short and chunky and with a ginormous melon. She was also healthy and loud and perfect. She is now going on 3 and is 50% in height and weight with a noggin that is still off the charts. She is also really bright and we like to say that her head needed to be that big to hold her smarty-pants brain. Do not spend another minute worrying, particularly since your doc is not worried.

  

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• PaulandPregnantChelsea member

  July 2014

  Thank you guys so much for the positive stories of big head babies! I just had the ultrasound on Friday, so I haven't heard anything from my midwives yet. I have an appointment on Tuesday and we will probably discuss everything then. StefanyaMarie - Forrest is my number one name! My husband is afraid everyone will call him "Gump" - But I think it's a total sign that another Forrest had a big dome! LucilleAustero - that's crazy that they switched your results and even crazier they were able to figure it out! 10 lbs 9 oz - wow! Can I ask if you were able to deliver or had to have a C-section?

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• LucilleAustero member

  July 2014

  I had a c/s. Going for a vbac this time around with another huge baby.

  

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• KayteeGee member

  July 2014

  Don't stress.
  My son's head was and has remained (he's three) in 95+% category THE WHOLE TIME.  He came 3 wks early and was 9# - I delivered him vaginally, it was fine.
  He always has been ridiculously cute (like people stop us on the street to tell us) and I think it's because he looks like an anime baby - big head, huge blue eyes on a slim lithe body (he is 40% in height now!) - I'm kidding - kind of.
  Don't worry, really.... U/S estimates are all over the place and even if you wind up with a baby built like a lollipop (mine!) s/he will be adorable and most people won't notice.  You will, however, need to size up in hats!
  

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• MereDe3 member

  July 2014

  Both of my children's heads are off the charts. Literally off the charts.  I buy men's hats for my 3 y.o. son.   Both kids are on the higher end in all other measurements -- above 80th percentile.   Both were delivered vaginally with no real problems. DD did get a bit stuck on my pelvis and came out with a bruised conehead, but it resolved itself pretty quickly.

  Their doctors have never been concerned, some people just have big heads.

  Mom to Frances, 6, Adam, 4, and baby Lila.

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