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37+ weeks and baby is measuring at 8lbs 4oz

mamabear9675434mamabear9675434 member
edited May 2020 in 3rd Trimester
My boyfriend and I requested an additional ultrasound because big babies run in my family (last year my sister had an 11.5 lb baby boy and had to have a c-section).

I really want to avoid a c-section. I know ultrasound measurements can be off by +/- at least 1lb, however given my family history, it's possible my baby girl will just be big. However, both me and my boyfriend were under 8lbs when we were born. I haven't spoken to my doctor yet about what her plan is here, but she is aware of my birth preferences.

Is it possible that the due date is off and that I'm actually a week ahead and this baby could come as early as next week?

I'm also 2cm dilated, 50% effaced and apparently already having contractions...but I know that doesn't mean much as far as when baby is coming 
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Re: 37+ weeks and baby is measuring at 8lbs 4oz

  • meggymemeggyme member
    Other than an induction there is not much to be done except to wait and see. With my second at 37 weeks they predicted she would be 8lbs 4oz at birth. She was 7lbs. I often feel that US techs have a slight bias when it comes to growth scans for big babies. Mine for example was a gestational diabetes baby and I feel like the sonography right erred on the higher end of her measurements.

    And just because baby is bigger doesn’t mean you don’t have the body to be able to deliver it. One woman in my BMB gave birth to an 11 lb baby without an epidural. Try spinning babies to get them in the optimal position,and hope for the best.
    DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
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  • mamabear9675434mamabear9675434 member
    Yes, I'm hoping they are just off on the size. She is my first. I certainly do not want to induce if I can help it. If family history plays any part though, both my sisters and I were all induced. Babies in my family don't want to come out on their own.
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  • meggymemeggyme member
    My mom was induced with all 4 of her children. Both of mine came on their own. Your mother’s birth history doesn’t necessarily have any bearing on your own.
    DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
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  • coldlife2coldlife2 member
    Yes, and also when exactly where they induced? 37-42 weeks is full term, but I feel like a lot of people tend to think 37-40 is full term and even a day past 40 is "late" and therefore bad. It's really not. Some babies just need a little extra time. Or maybe the dates are off. 

    I think it's important to remember that the vast majority of women can vaginally deliver their baby. A "big" baby =\= being unable to vaginally deliver.

    The American Pregnancy Association has very interesting information on cephalopelvic disproportion (the baby physically being unable to fit through the mom's pelvis) https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/cephalopelvic-disproportion/

    Among the high points: it's rarely able to be diagnosed before attempting labor, it's often inaccurately diagnosed, and most women who are diagnosed with it go on to have a vaginal delivery later. 

    Personally, I would not acquiesce to a CS just based on the possibility of a big baby. And for the record, my first was 8 lbs, 12.5 oz, which is only half an oz away from an official macrosomia (big baby) diagnosis, and my second was only an ounce and a half smaller. I delivered both unmedicated, and with pretty quick labors, too. 
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    edited May 2020
    It's really impossible to know.  If you were temping or receiving ART, then you would know very nearly Exactly when conception occurred.  If you received early dating ultrasounds, that would give you another level of accuracy.  But the longer the pregnancy goes, there becomes more of a normal range of variation, because babies come in all different sizes, and grow at their own rates.  So you may know better in your own personal case how accurate your dates may (or may not) be.

    As far as size at the growth scan and induction etc. there can be a lot of variation in the estimates - they are just that, estimates.

    I went past 40 weeks, and when my midwives gave me growth scans, they advised me that the baby was big and recommended the c section to prevent shoulder dystocia.  Two scans close to the end - between 40-41 weeks actually - and they both said the same thing, and both times I declined to schedule a section; we compromised with having me come in at 41+3.  Eventually the delivery did result in a section and the baby was 10,1.  But YMMV.  In my case, I started to labor on my own, but even the additional induction methods didn't help bring the baby down.  And the baby Was big, but there was no way to know that - for certain - until she was here.  And there was no way to know if she would come vaginally unless we tried.

    So there's no way for any of us to know what's really going on in your case, nor a crystal ball to tell you how your labor may go. :/ 37+5 is still early imho not to see if the baby will decide to come on their own.  Personally, I would wait and prefer not to be induced, but I am not a doctor, so please take anybody's opinion on the internet with a grain of salt.

    Hopefully you are in a place where you can trust your team to make the right call in your particular situation, and trust your body to delivery the beautiful baby it grew! ❤️ GL!  Hope you will update us...
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