Big babies

Ah825 · July 2016

So I had another ultrasound tuesday at 31.2 weeks. (I get growth scans because I have multiple sclerosis) I talked to my doctor and she said the baby is over 4 lbs and in the 95th percentile. She said it could be genetics or she may need to test my sugar again if the baby still is on the large side at the next ultrasound. (I passed the glucose test with flying colors) Being a FTM I don't really know what this all means. Should I cut back on my sugar? Is my baby still healthy? Could it mean a c section down the road? TIA!

UnwritteN12 · July 2016

At 32 weeks, baby A was measuring 5 lbs. 5 oz and B was 4 lbs. 5 oz, so they were measuring 2-3 weeks ahead. It may be because of blood sugars. I know that's the biggest reason for these 2 measuring big. I've had a harder time keeping my blood sugars where they should be this pregnancy, which makes for larger babies generally. I'd advise you to make a quick call to the doctor or nurse and discuss it just to put your mind at ease.

camichael84 · July 2016

My LO was measuring at 4 lbs 2 oz at 30 weeks exactly. That put her in the 97th percentile. My first never measured big, so I'm a little freaked out with how big she might be.

I don't think there's any worry that your baby isn't healthy because it's measuring big. My OB wasn't concerned.

A big baby could mean c/s, but I also know a lot of women who have delivered over 9 lb babies vaginally. My family and DH's family make big babies... the only c/s that has happened was with a 7 lb baby.

It's up to you of you want to cut back your sugar. It certainly wouldn't hurt, but won't really have an effect on baby's size if you don't have GD.

FWIW, my OB also told me that she may even out in a later u/s. She said sometimes they'll go through growth spurts. Also, an u/s measurement can be off by up to a lb!

Eta: I do have GD, and it's been hard to control this time. But, as previously mentioned, our families make big babies. So I'm not sure how much is my GD and how much is genetics.

AshleyB09042015 · July 2016

I had a growth scan on Monday this week. She measured 4 pounds 10 ounces and I was 32 weeks 5 days. They didn't seem worried at all. They just said she was doing really well. Some parts of her were measuring a week ahead and some 2 weeks. Her head was measuring 34 weeks! But the doctor said everything looked great.

marajay6 · July 2016

My son was a surprising 9 lbs 10 oz. Both my husband and I had birth weights that were just over 7 lbs, my fundal height measurements were always on target, and I did not have GD (I passed the 1 hour test by a huge margin). I had not ultrasounds after the 20 week a/s (where he measured on target. I ended up having an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. I am quite glad that we were naive to how big he was since everything worked out and we didn't have the worry.

My son did have to have a bit of extra blood sugar monitoring - it is something they do for all babies over a certain weight. However, he was perfectly healthy. The doctors just said that sometimes babies are big. And they would rather see an above average sized baby versus below average.

This time around, I now have a history of having a large baby. I will be going in for a growth scan at 36 weeks. Depending on that, we would opt for a slightly early induction before going with a c-section. It sucks having an extra thing to worry about this time around. I am curious as to how big they will let the baby get before wanting to induce - I have proven that I am able to deliver a large baby (these big hips make shopping for jeans a pain, but come in handy when it comes to childbirth!).

nativetexan512 · July 2016

I had a growth ultrasound at 32 weeks (OB wanted to do it early because I had a high fever at 30 weeks), and baby was measuring 4 lbs. 9 oz, I can't remember but something like 90% percentile. All my doc said is "yep - baby is measuring big". I've always heard measurements can be way off and it's still early, so I am not worried about it at all. I passed my GD test by a big margin too, so I am hopeful that this won't be a problem down the line.

ketomommy · July 2016

Sometimes it's a mixture of genetics and the baby. A very good friend of mine gave birth to a 14lb baby via c-section. She was tested multiple times for GD, each time her sugars were normal. She ate right, worked out etc. Her baby just wanted to be big. Now, as a toddler, he still is in 97th percentile for height and weight.

mommytimesfour · July 2016

I had a growth scan yesterday and baby measured 4 lbs 4 oz at 32 weeks. I was told this was average. The measurements can easily be off by a pound or more, so I wouldn't worry. Big babies don't always result in a C-section, it has much more to do with baby's position during delivery. It's one of those things you can't really predict until it's happening.

Bibliobebe · July 2016

I won't have another ultrasound until 34 weeks to check my placenta and make sure it's moved out of the way (it was low at 18 weeks) and I'm not sure if they normally measure growth during that but my fundal height is measuring 2 weeks behind. Nurse said that's normal -2 or +2 is within range. So we'll see! I'm hoping they'll give me an estimate of how big he is after the 34 week u/s!

As far as c/s and big babies - My SIL is a TINY WOMAN and her youngest son was over 10 lbs. She delivered him vaginally, though for a minute they didn't think she'd be able to. Baby did get stuck for a sec. But she did! I will mention, though, that my clinic transfers mothers out and into the hospital if the baby measures at 10lbs or more before birth due to a higher risk of complications during delivery.

But a "higher risk" doesn't mean a for sure thing.

VeraMali · July 2016

I guess I don't really understand the worry over big babies because they are the norm in my family. None of the women in my family as far back as I know (including myself) have ever had GD but we have between 8-12 lb babies. My mother & I both had C-sections but that was due to us having a very small pelvis, everyone else has birthed those big babies naturally and healthy! My 3 year old has been between the 90th & 110th percentile since birth and looks like a 5 year old but she is as healthy as can be.

Sarafuss · July 2016

I wouldn't be too concerned. Ultrasounds can be off and its just an estimate. I had a growth scan at 32 weeks and baby was 4lbs. 14oz. and they told me that was the 57th percentile and they weren't concerned at all. My daughter measured similarly at 32 weeks and was only 7lbs. 9oz. at birth (at 39 weeks). It can't hurt to watch your carb/sugar intake but just because baby is measuring a little big doesn't necessarily mean you could have GD. Some people just have larger babies.

bunnymay · July 2016

With my daughter, I was told that I would have a large baby. At my growth scan with her ~34 weeks she measured 6lbs9oz. When she arrived at 38 weeks, she was only 6lbs2oz. I did not have GD, but frequently measure up to 2 weeks ahead.

Ah825 · July 2016

Thanks ladies!! I guess I'm still going to cut back on my sugar/carbs even though having ice cream in the summer has been great. Wah!

Bibliobebe · July 2016

If baby weight is somehow dependent on how much sugar you eat on the regular... then my baby is on track to be Goliath reincarnated.

kcl219 · July 2016

At my 30 week US baby was weighing at 4lbs 1oz and my OB said that was just slightly over average but nothing to worry about. My DS1 was born at 39 weeks and was 9lbs 5oz so I'm sure this will be another big boy! My cervix never dilated during labor and they told me that he was most likely too big and my body knew it, I ended up with a c-section and am having a repeat this time around. I think it's all genetics for us, I'm a small girl but was an 8lb baby and my husband was 9lbs.

mom2adoodle · July 2016

@bunnymay That's so interesting! I guess they never truly know

SuperFudge00 · July 2016

With DS1 he was measuring 4lb 15oz and 2 weeks ahead at 31w5d. He weight 8lb 3oz at birth and was 37w3d gestation, I did not have GD.

drmh22 · July 2016

As someone hoping for a VBAC, I cringe to read about these 10, 12, and 14(!) pound babies. Holy moly!

chavezrd2 · July 2016

Glad yall started this board, my OB is all over me on my weight but I'm not eating crazy and my DD was 8lb9oz no GD last time or this time. Idk what to think

AnnaS930 · July 2016

I had "insulin resistance" last time, meaning I failed my 1 hour and barely passed the 3 hour and was suggested I watched what I ate, but didn't have to monitor. I probably watched what I ate for a week then went back to normal eating (which for me is a LOT of carbs). Baby came 10 days after estimated due date at 7lbs 11oz.. so my insulin resistance seemed to have zero impact on his size at birth

Ah825 · July 2016

I was also thinking - baby has been measuring ahead so maybe that's why the baby is so "big" because we never changed my due date?

miam4 · July 2016

With DD they said she was over 8lbs close to birth! I was so worried! She was born 6l12oz. This time i changed the maternal fetal office, and when I asked about the weight they said they don't say it there.... they just told me baby right now is 65%.

TheTamedShrew · July 2016

DD1 was 8 lb 15 oz. She was perfectly healthy, I've always been on the low end of my BMI range, and I did not have GD. I also went past my due date and delivered vaginally. I gained about 5 lbs more than the recommended weight range and I probably will this time too, I think because DH and I just make large babies (likely his genes). I don't watch my sugar AT ALL and I passed the glucose test both times.

I wouldn't worry at all as long as you have no other existing issues that would affect her growth. I'm sure you just have a big healthy baby in there

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