Big Babies

jessicaschafer8 · March 2019

Hi! So I just had a growth US at 36w0d and they estimated baby to be 8lbs 2oz. But my midwives say they aren’t too concerned because I’m measuring normally fundal length wise. My first was born at 41w4d and weighed 9 lbs 8oz, another reason they aren’t too worried since I delivered a big baby before. I still can’t help but be a little nervous. Anyone else had scans or experiences like this?

thatbaintforbetty · March 2019

Last time they told me baby was 7 and a half pounds at my last US, I delivered a 5lb 14oz baby 3 days later at 39+6. There is a wider margin of error in estimates this far along and if everything else looks fine and you had no issue with a larger baby before then I wouldn’t worry.

MRDCle · March 2019

Like @thatbaintforbetty said there’s a large margin of error. Our boys came out 8-9oz larger than predicted. It’s only an estimate.

lyse01 · March 2019

@jessicaschafer8, I’ve been talking about this over in the A19 high risk thread. I’ve done some additional reading since my last post, and it seems that the threat of a big baby means mothers and drs are both more likely to choose interventions (eg elective c-section) that they wouldn’t offer for predicted normal-size babies. Since predicted weight can be so far off at this point in pregnancy, some of the predicted normal turn out to be big, and some of the predicted big turn out to be normal, so there’s a decent mix of control and test groups in both directions for studies on the subject. Most big babies can be delivered vaginally without lasting injury to mother or child.

source: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/

kayceebaby1 · March 2019

@lyse01 my baby is in the 75th percentile so big but not oh my God big... I so appreciate your synopsis of the research. For me, someone with GD, I had also read some research that the outcomes were better (fewer complications) for kids of moms with GD who delivered vaginally. So my discussions with my husband have been... Hope we go naturally, if we don't we want to be induced, and if induction becomes dangerous then we can go the c section route.

jlklec19 · March 2019

Also in the estimated big baby club. Currently estimated at 6lbs 11oz/96th percentile at 34 weeks. My SIL and cousin who are both nurses also said that the measurements can be off - like @thatbaintforbetty said. I'm not at all surprised though - I would be surprised if this kid came out at anything less than 8lbs (I was 8lb 11oz, my sisters were both 8lbs 13oz, and my dad was 9lbs 5oz - so we just make big babies in my family. I have a cousin who was over 10lbs who my aunt delivered vaginally). I honestly hadn't thought about a c-section until my doctors brought it up as a possibility, but we are also hoping to go the vaginally not induced route. I was really upset and stressing about it a few weeks ago when they first brought up c-section and pointed out his size (I've been asking about it the whole pregnancy - kid has measured consistently big the whole time), but I've been working on taking everything one day at a time and trying not to worry. We have to talk with our doctors more, but we aren't ruling either vaginal or c-section out right now - whatever we all agree is the safest way is going to become our plan.

HGRich · March 2019

@kayceebaby1 that’s exactly where I am. Worried about bigger baby due to GD. Very much hoping for natural and vaginal. Willing to be induced. C sec last resort.

peaceinnature · March 2019

My first was 10 lbs 7 oz and only measured 9 something in his growth ultrasounds. I was able to deliver him vaginally, but with a vacuum. My second was only 7lbs14 and measured I think 7lbs6 on his growth ultrasound a week before.

edit to finish: I didn’t have gd with either of them, even my 10.5 pounder. But now I’ve been diagnosed with a borderline case of gd I’m worried about increased intervention just from having the diagnosis in my chart. They’re already talking about early induction and constant fetal monitoring during labor so i kind of feel like it’s not going to be as hands off as my previous two labors were.

But that said, it is possible to deliver large babies and we can always advocate for ourselves. With my first son they scheduled my induction and I said I would rather wait and they were surprisingly ok with that.

lyse01 · March 2019

@kayceebaby1 @HGRich GD moms have slightly increased risks that I glossed over - recommend reading the linked article or at least the summary at the bottom of it for details.

induction doesn’t seem to improve outcomes, from what I remember.

My main concern at the moment is how I should approach increased risk of emergency c-section and meds for it...I want unmedicated vaginal birth but perhaps a hep lock or something could make it faster for pain meds to be administered if they need to cut but maintain my mobility and desire for no meds if they don’t.

harveyisaboysname · March 2019

OB said I will likely be having a 9lb baby. DD was 8lb 6oz so I’m assuming 9lb isn’t far off. I’m terrified but my birth instructor the last time around delivered two boys ( not at the same time) both over 10lbs vaginally with no interventions or pain medication, so I know it’s possible.

HGRich · March 2019

@lyse01 yes my ob’s prefer I not go beyond 39 weeks bechase I’m medicated. I’m also getting weekly BPPs. But my fundal height has been spot on so I don’t think he’s big yet. I went into labor 38+4 with DD so it’s quite possible I don’t even need to worry about induction.

eli_belle · March 2019

My first was a week late and born at 9lbs 1oz. I had an epidural and after 3 hours of pushing needed an episiotomy and vacuum extraction to get her out. My second was also born a week late but induced. He measured 9lbs 8oz a few days before he was born at 9lb 11oz. After 12 hours of pitocin and no progress. I was worried about a failure to progress diagnosis so refused an epidural. Dr broke my water and I delivered DS unmedicated 1.5 hours later.

The immediate recovery for DS was much smoother than with DD even though he was bigger. No episiotomy helped with this! I did develop issues with an inflamed pubic bone after DS which took 6 months of physical therapy to recover from.

All that to say a big baby does not preclude an unmedicated birth (which is what I had wanted). This time around Dr is going to start weekly weight check US to monitor LO growth. And I am completely fine with inducing if baby starts to look as big as DS. Wishing you the best of luck! You can do it.

booksandlace · March 2019

I'm expected to have a big baby almost purely because DD was big (9lbs, 5oz). So far baby has been measuring ahead in all her scans, I have another growth scan next week which will be my last and we'll decide what to do from there. The concern is that DD has shoulder dystocia so we are not sure if I'm able to deliver another big baby

cabearit · March 2019

They told me my first was measuring around 7lbs the day I went into labor and I delievered a 9lb 4.9oz baby vaginally with minimal complications. The predications can be way off, so don't overthink it

jayhawkmom4 · March 2019

I am in the big baby club. Doctor is doing growth scans every 4 weeks so my next will be at 36 weeks. At 32 weeks they were estimating baby was in the 87th percentile and weighed 5lbs 3 ounces. Doctor hasn't talked csection at all but I am guessing we will induce early because on size of baby as well as my age.

jessicaschafer8 · March 2019

Interesting. I spoke to my midwives and they said they will not induce early for a big baby or consider a scheduled csection. They said the only way it would come to a csection is if I’m in labor and baby doesn’t seem to engage or drop down. I desperately do not want a csection so I’m hoping I can push this tank out...

rennie1108 · March 2019

@jessicaschafer8 I see a group of midwives, and that sounds about right. They are really against inducing unless medically necessary. I haven't been getting any scans so I have no idea how big the baby is. The only thing they told me is if I go to 41 weeks they will consider induction. I just hope baby doesn't wait that long!

llamamamanyc · March 2019

Why why do they freak us out with the measurements if they’re often so inaccurate? I was told my baby was measuring 4lb15oz at my 32wk scan — 89th percentile — which would make for a 9lb baby if I go full term. @rennie1108 @jessicaschafer8; my OB will also induce 41wks because I am AMA. Hoping it doesn’t come to that!

rennie1108 · March 2019

@llamamamanyc Just curious - what is considered AMA according to your OB? I'm 39 but I haven't had any additional ultrasounds (besides the 20 week scan) or anything because I'm not over 40. I found that surprising!

cabearit · March 2019

@rennie1108 I turned 35 in January and because I am going to be 35 at time of birth, I was labeled AMA by my OB and told that they will induce me on my due date if he hasn't come before then. Also, I've had additional blood draws and genetic testing. I also went to a specialist for my growth scan.

rennie1108 · March 2019

@cabearit It's so interesting how different practices do different things! They wouldn't do anything extra for me unless I was over 40.

emeraldisle17 · March 2019

So interesting to hear about all these size percentiles and estimations! My doctor hasn't said anything about size of my baby - besides that fundal height is on track and that it's really tough to tell baby size, and she's 'seen it all'. Based on what everyone is saying here about the estimations being off, I guess that's a good thing that my OB isn't freaking me out, one way or the other!

The one thing that my OB has mentioned (quite a few times now), is that recent data is showing that inducing up to a week before EDD poses no risk to the mother or baby. I guess the benefit she's speaking to would be to get on the doctors' hospital schedule or if it helps with my schedule, ie family needing to travel out for the birth. As a FTM I feel like inducing a week before sounds great on paper - but both my mom and MIL are horrified at the suggestion! Sounds like there are mixed opinions here too. Ideally I don't want to be induced, but I am waiting for 'a sign' before telling my mom to fly out here, and one week past my EDD is Easter, so I also don't want the hospital 'holiday' schedule, if that's even a thing. So,I'm torn on the induction thing.

lyse01 · March 2019

@emeraldisle87 I wonder if there’s a difference between “no risk to mother or baby” and “makes labor longer/pitocin more likely/failure to progress more likely”? I don’t generally think induction would be risky so much as much more likely to mean interventions i’d rather avoid.

rennie1108 · March 2019

@emeraldisle87 I think @lyse01 makes a good point. I am definitely no doctor, but I just want to get on a soapbox for a sec. I think a LOT of OBs want to induce to accommodate their schedule. I think any medical intervention that isn't absolutely necessary is good to avoid. I've heard many times that inducing can cause long and difficult labors (again, I'm no expert and I didn't get that from any scientific document, just stories of friends who it's happened to).
I really hope that doesn't sound preachy because luckily, it's YOU who gets to decide if you want to be induced! It just really, really bothers me that OB's push for inductions. A friend of mine is getting induced 3 weeks early because she is uncomfortable. I find that unbelievable! I mean, I'm uncomfortable as hell, but unless there's a risk to me or the baby, I want this guy/girl in there until he/she is ready to come out......that being said, I know sometimes they will induce if you are way past your due date because the baby gets too damn big!
Again, I'm sorry if this comes across rude at all. It's just my opinion, and as the saying goes, opinions are just like assholes - everybody has one

lyse01 · March 2019

@rennie1108 I believe the placenta also deteriorates in post-term pregnancies, meaning it’s far riskier (in terms of placental abruption, hemmhorage, etc) than simply a big baby. In GD pregnancies, this happens around term, hence all the talk of induction in the GD thread. Risk management is absolutely a good reason to induce.

However, I find “The patient is uncomfortable” to be a medically inexcusable reason to induce.

Eta: not a dr, not in the medical field, only in control of my own body, so my opinion on anyone else’s dr-patient decisions means shit.

rennie1108 · March 2019

Good info, @lyse01! I do hope - very much - that I don't go past my due date. But yeah, I was shocked when my friend told me they were inducing her a week from today. She's due on April 6! And there's nothing wrong.

lyse01 · March 2019

@rennie1108 post term starts at 42+0 weeks

but I can understand not wanting to go past your due date!

rennie1108 · March 2019

I will say, though, that apparently my friend is like 80% effaced and 3cm dilated already. So what the hell do I know?! Again, sorry if I sounded preachy. It's just such a pet peeve of mine that induction is so standard it seems.

HGRich · March 2019

Agreed to the above. I very much didn’t want to be induced but after my GD diagnosis I’m pretty anxious about placenta deterioration (even though so far my bg numbers have been pretty good), but I’d rather be induced than risk complications OR emergency c sec due to “too big.” So far he’s measuring right on track. We will see!

rennie1108 · March 2019

Ok, I know I'm going on tangents here, but I just learned something. I didn't realize 100% effaced meant that your cervix was its normal length. I thought that meant it was at its thinnest!

elmich3 · March 2019

@emeraldisle87 Only my opinion, but I wouldn't do it.. I didn't listen to anyone when I wanted to get induced my first time around. My first induction failed so I had to go back in two days later for another one. 60 terrible hours later I gave birth. I was in labor so long, he had tons of complications and had sepsis. He was in NICU for a week. Obviously this is only one example but all the complications were later chalked up to that it wouldnt have happened if I didnt get induced. (I got induced at 40 weeks.) My doctor said no induction this time if it's not medically necessary. I'll just never forget the regret I had, literally feeling like I was forcing my poor babe out before he was ready.

elmich3 · March 2019

Obviously if its medically necessary or due to GD induction can be very necessary, just speaking on if you wanted to get one for schedule purposes

emeraldisle17 · March 2019

@rennie1108 @lyse01 You guys don't sound preachy at all, thank you for the input! Again as a FTM, I really wasn't clear on the potential drawbacks of induction that you mention (ie, slower to progress, other interventions being necessary, etc) The fact that my OB has brought up induction as many times as she has, has slightly irritated me in the back of my mind to your point @rennie1108 that it could just be easier on her schedule. But then she hits me with "data says that.." and I'm like, oh...ok, maybe it's fine. I'm not high risk and thus far have been complication free, which makes me also want to wait it out naturally, but I'm also anxious that I'm SO comfortable that I feel like this baby is never going to come out

I feel like i'll def be a 42 weeker if nature has its way...

peaceinnature · March 2019

I had my ultrasound today and he’s measuring 6lbs 8oz already- I’m 35 weeks on Monday. Their estimate said I’m 37 weeks 3 days. 😬 I’m nervous about induction because I really don’t want to have to deal with stronger or more intense contractions. But I also would rather birth him when he’s smaller; I know from my first how difficult it is to push out a 10.5 lb baby. And I do want to mitigate any risks due to my gd diagnosis. I’m going to ask my midwives if there’s like a lower key intervention induction I can have, like starting me on a low dose of pitocin and then turning it off so my body can do the rest. Hopefully since this is my third I won’t have to deal with stalled or prolonged labor.

rennie1108 · March 2019

Haha @emeraldisle87 I hear ya on that! I'm a FTM as well (so I'm def not one to get on a soapbox but I still do!), but my midwife actually says kind of the opposite, talking about how if I go past my due date. I'm like, no!!!!!! Please, little baby, decide to come out around the time of your due date

kate_e_nb · March 2019

@emeraldisle87 I think your OB might be referring to a paper that came out recently that showed that inducing at 39 weeks might actually lower your risk of C-section. Maybe that's what they're talking about? Now bear in mind, I haven't actually read the full paper, only articles about the paper, so I'm not sure how reliable those findings are, but maybe ask them about some of the specifics about why they are thinking about inducing you early? Ultimately, I think it has to be what YOU are comfortable with. Induction might end up being a great fit for you, or maybe you'd be happier with going on your own. As hard as it is, sometimes you have to let go of other's opinions and go with your gut. FWIW, I've heard some induction horror stories, but I've also heard some great stories. My SIL just had her baby in November, and had to be induced a week early for a blood clotting disorder. She had a super short, easy labour, and literally "laughed the baby out." Truth is, whether you're induced or not, every labour is different and what's true for someone else may not be true for you. At the end of the day, you have to make the right decision for you! Regardless of what you and your OB decide, good luck! You'll do great mama!

llamamamanyc · March 2019

Hi @rennie1108! My OB considers anything over age 35 to be AMA -- although they tell me it's no big deal, as the average age for a first time pregnancy in NYC happens to be about 35! LOL! I'm 36, will turn 37 two months after baby arrives. But in addition to being AMA, I am considered "high risk" due to having thyroid disease. I had anatomy scans at 16 & 20 weeks, and a growth scan at 32 weeks. I will likely have at least one more at 36 weeks, but again, I think this has more to do with my thyroid disease, and less to do with being considered AMA. Oh, but one thing the OB did tell me is that because of AMA, they will not allow me to go past 41 weeks, so unless baby decides to come on her own before that, I will need to be induced.

rennie1108 · March 2019

@llamamamanyc That's good info! I live in Utah where the average age is probably 19 lol. My midwife did tell me they would induce at 41 weeks and I wonder if that is why. But other than that, I haven't had anything extra and I'm 39. I guess it's not a big deal to me, although it would've been nice to see the babe via ultrasound a few more times.

blueberrymomma · March 2019

@rennie1108 how then measure effacement has always confused me.

Id like to say that as a third time mom who has gone they 2 medically necessary inductions that I want to go into labor on my own. Mainly because my last induction was so hard(the first one wasn’t bad) and because this is my last so I feel the need to “experience” going into labor on my own. Also to add my doctor really wants me to go into labor on my own and have no complications too. She knows how rough my last two were so she said the she’s crossing her fingers for me!

jayhawkmom4 · March 2019

Interesting to read all of this. I just turned 40 and they are keeping an extremely close eye on baby. I have had weekly ultrasounds since 32 weeks. Also growth scans every 4 weeks. We have not set an exact date but my understanding is my doc won’t let me get to 40 weeks because placenta decoration occurs earlier when you are ama. So I’m not sure if I will be induced at 38 or 39 weeks.

rennie1108 · March 2019

@jayhawkmom4 That is very interesting! I may bring this up with my midwife and see what she says.

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