Community› The Bump Month Clubs› November 2015 Moms
November 2015 Moms
New Discussion

Question for other STMs with bigger babies at birth

Elyse1384Elyse1384 member
edited August 2015 in November 2015 Moms

DS was not huge, but a big boy (9lb – 21.5”) and this LO has been measuring ahead of where DS was throughout the pregnancy to date.  I’m very lucky to not have GD so it seems I just grow them big!  I was a bigger baby too (9lb) and my biological mother had my build (5’3” and 110lb).  Obviously a lot can change as I have quite a ways to go with this LO and my OB concedes it’s difficult to get an accurate sense for the baby’s size (he estimated DS to be 7lb after all!), but… it’s all we have and he has stated he doesn’t want me trying to push out a larger baby (anything appearing close to 10lb).  With DS his size estimate was derived from fundal height measurements as the last U/S I had was the anatomy scan.  I of course want to ensure the baby’s safety during delivery and will follow his medical guidance, but do any of you STMs out there have experience being monitored for this after LO #1 came out on the bigger side?  Did your OB discuss induction or a c-section due to baby’s size or baby’s size vs your frame?  My OB is going to monitor closely over the next several weeks and then discuss a game plan, but my delivery with DS wasn’t bad at all even considering his size.  I only had a level 2 tear and my recovery wasn’t that bad.  

Report Reply to Post

Re: Question for other STMs with bigger babies at birth

  • apritch88apritch88 member
    I had a nine pound baby girl last time around. My midwife and I just discussed this topic at my last appointment on Friday. 
    Basically she said, they are going to let me try. Obviously if baby is too big, it will be evident as labor progresses, so no need for a scheduled C section. 
    She is also a believer that since there wasn't any major complications last time (I had a level 1 tear) that there was no medical reasons to be concerned about. I was relieved that they took that approach, as I would have refused a scheduled C section if the only reason was that the baby was estimated to be big.

    That said, she said if my body was getting ready for labor (ie- dialating, effacing, and head "right there") they would probably not let me go past my due date, or possibly even induce a little early. I was 3cm and 80% effaced for three weeks prior to DD1, but she was still rather high until my water broke.

    It was very much a watch and see how baby grows and the pregnancy progresses type of conversation; Very much a case by case basis. We'll see how it goes but I think at this point I would be opposed to being induced early simply because of size- just because the estimations are so unreliable. If baby wants to come early on her own, I would be good with that though ;)

    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • Pontot31Pontot31 member
    My daughter was 9 and a half pounds.
    This time I've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and I'm on the diet. My midwife says those who stay diet controlled and keep their sugars and carbs lower tend to have smaller babies. I'm really hoping that is the case.

    It might be worth looking into at least doing a modified GD diet to try and keep the baby from growing even bigger. Even if you don't have GD.
    Report Reply
  • lyankowilyankowi member
    DD was 9lbs 10oz. They induced me a few days early because 1. My B/P was trending up 2. My swelling wasn't going down 3. "We are not going for a record" that was my OBs way of saying baby was big. He did say something about inducing again but I want to try to go on my own.
    Report Reply
  • MargaretC5MargaretC5 member
    DS was 9lbs 4.6 oz but he was two weeks late. I did not have GD with DS, but they had me take an early GD test this time because DS was large (I passed). Other then that no mention or concern about this baby being large. DS always measured on track, we had no idea he was going to be big. I had multiple US a week after I was 40 weeks and he never measure large on the US.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Pregnancy Ticker
    Report Reply
  • dogsombrerodogsombrero member
    DS was 10# 14oz and 22" only a 2nd degree tear and no GD then. He was predicted to be big at 9 1/2 pounds but the practice did not want to induce. I did hemorrhage, placenta had to be manually removed and kids head was transverse so I was pushing forever.

    I switched Doctors after that mess. My doctor wanted to monitor me closer this time to prevent the same issues. This time it's twins so they are doing growth scans/NSTs every 2 weeks starting at 28 weeks. The plan is to induce at 37 weeks based on the current growth indication (every 4 weeks scanning). They are predicting 7 1/2 pounds each at 37 weeks.
    Report Reply
  • jessicabonnerjjessicabonnerj member
    My second was a week and a half early she weighed 9lbs. My third was right on her due date and she was 9.9lbs. I am pregnant with my fourth and my doctor and I are a bit worried about how big this baby is going to be. I have never had GD.
    Report Reply
  • mamax6mamax6 member
    My first was a week late and under 8#. My second no GD was induced a week early at 9#13oz. My third, fourth and fifth all fluctuated from 1-2 weeks early between 7.8 - 8.10. Each pregnancy is so different! This one now is measuring larger already so I'm guessing we are in for another big baby! I have a dr appt Thursday and I am going to talk to them more about it.
    Report Reply
  • sadyy131sadyy131 member
    dogsombrero said:

    DS was 10# 14oz and 22" only a 2nd degree tear and no GD then. He was predicted to be big at 9 1/2 pounds but the practice did not want to induce. I did hemorrhage, placenta had to be manually removed and kids head was transverse so I was pushing forever.

    I switched Doctors after that mess. My doctor wanted to monitor me closer this time to prevent the same issues. This time it's twins so they are doing growth scans/NSTs every 2 weeks starting at 28 weeks. The plan is to induce at 37 weeks based on the current growth indication (every 4 weeks scanning). They are predicting 7 1/2 pounds each at 37 weeks.

    Holy :((
    Report Reply
  • rox7777rox7777 member
    My OB mentioned scheduling a c section for 39 weeks based off the current growth of this baby. DS1 was 6lbs13oz at 38W3D and he only ever measured in the 50th percentile. DS2 is measuring in the 95th percentile at 27 weeks. My OB did say that ultrasounds can be off the further along you get but she wants to monitor growth via ultrasound for the next couple of weeks just to make sure he's not hitting growth spurts early or growing too quickly due to the fact that my fluids are already measuring on the low side.

    Personally I won't be scheduling a c section, I'm leaning towards early baby/wrong due date, and even if that's not the case, I'd rather wait until I go into labor and see what my body does on its own. I had a level 2 tear with DS1, so that does make me more nervous about a big baby, but it happens all the time and I'd rather avoid major surgery with a toddler to go home to.
    Report Reply
  • Elyse1384Elyse1384 member
    Pontot31  - Interesting suggestion about trying the GD diet despite not testing positive for GD.  I eat very healthy, but admittedly indulge in some sweets (I have a crazy sweet tooth) and enjoy my carbs.  It really seems this LO and DS suck up everything.  I gained 37lb with DS, but I lost almost half by the time I left the hospital (unreal) and completely lost all the weight not too long after (although I'm sure BFing helped quite a lot!).  
    Report Reply
  • apritch88apritch88 member
    I'm wondering if there's actually any medical indications that the diet could help if you don't have GD. I've never heard of any one else suggesting that.

    I only gained 17 pounds with DD1, she was nine of it, and there was atleast another 5-6 of fluids that came with her.

    I don't think a different diet would have yielded different results, I think that everybody's body reacts differently, some people's bodies just grow really big babies. 

    Not sure if ant of you have ever spent any time on a ranch, but cows are the same way. Some grow them big, others don't. Some are good milkers, some are not....   it's just the way it is. I had one cow who had HUGE babies, but never had any problems giving birth, and then would literally waste away while she was nursing because her body put every calorie into milk production. We couldn't keep the weight on her no matter how much we fed her. 

    It's just nature. Nobody is the same. 
    Report Reply
  • MargaretC5MargaretC5 member
    edited August 2015
    apritch88 said:

    I had one cow who had HUGE babies, but never had any problems giving birth, and then would literally waste away while she was nursing because her body put every calorie into milk production. We couldn't keep the weight on her no matter how much we fed her. 


    It's just nature. Nobody is the same. 
    Lol. This was me nursing, I ate at least 6 meals a day and was always snacking, and was skinnier then I was in high school. This is the one time I do not mind being compared to a cow!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Pregnancy Ticker
    Report Reply
  • flasflas member
    Just some food for thought. Babies tend to gain a bunch of weight right towards the last few weeks. Keep up the healthy eating right to the end!
    Report Reply
  • FavoritemandmsFavoritemandms member
    Pontot31 said:
    My daughter was 9 and a half pounds. This time I've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and I'm on the diet. My midwife says those who stay diet controlled and keep their sugars and carbs lower tend to have smaller babies. I'm really hoping that is the case. It might be worth looking into at least doing a modified GD diet to try and keep the baby from growing even bigger. Even if you don't have GD.
    I'm trying this. LO is already 3 lbs at 29 weeks and while that's not a huge concern, I really don't want a 10 lb baby if there is anything I can do about it! I've already gained 26 lbs and I just started cutting out refined sugar this week. Not saying it's a guarantee, but worth a try!
    Report Reply
  • Pontot31Pontot31 member
    apritch88 said:

    I'm wondering if there's actually any medical indications that the diet could help if you don't have GD. I've never heard of any one else suggesting that.


    I only gained 17 pounds with DD1, she was nine of it, and there was atleast another 5-6 of fluids that came with her.

    I don't think a different diet would have yielded different results, I think that everybody's body reacts differently, some people's bodies just grow really big babies. 

    Not sure if ant of you have ever spent any time on a ranch, but cows are the same way. Some grow them big, others don't. Some are good milkers, some are not....   it's just the way it is. I had one cow who had HUGE babies, but never had any problems giving birth, and then would literally waste away while she was nursing because her body put every calorie into milk production. We couldn't keep the weight on her no matter how much we fed her. 

    It's just nature. Nobody is the same. 
    Last pregnancy my doula suggested a low sugar and carb deit because those are the foods that tend to make a big baby. I didn't listen and gave into all my cravings. So I've tried to tone it down this time and I've only gained half the weight and the baby is measuring much smaller. That was even before my GD diagnosis.
    The first thing my midwife said to me this time after my diagnosis was it might be a good thing because most of her diet controlled patients tend to have smaller babies. So it sounds like it couldn't hurt at least.
    Report Reply
  • katiedhunterkatiedhunter member
    I never got GD with either of my previous pregnancies. But with my first I gained 21lbs and he was 8lbs 3weeks early, with my second I gained 60lbs and he was 6lbs 13oz only 4days early. I'm sure there are things that contribute to baby's weight but I think each baby is different. Just as every woman and their pregnancy is different.
    image BabyFruit Ticker VOTE on my Name List
    Report Reply
  • twoplusone102311twoplusone102311 member
    I had GD with DS1 and he was 8.13 at 36.5 weeks early. Did NOT have GD with DS2 and he was 9.14 at 37.5 weeks. At first, OB was all optimistic about me being able to deliver naturally this time around. Now, I get the feeling he's pushing for a CS. I guess we will see as time goes by.
    Report Reply
  • dogsombrerodogsombrero member
    I would say anecdotally the mother's family history has some play in baby's size. I was 8# 15 and 2 weeks early, I have a cousin who was 10# 5oz another in the mid 9's, etc. I gained 27 pounds, craved salads and green apples and still had a huge kid. Not saying I'm a health nut but I didn't use pregnancy as an excuse to eat all the things. This time I was advised to gain 20# by 20 weeks with the twins so it was like all the snacks were my friends.
    Report Reply
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"