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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Expected to have a "big" baby

46 replies

m4rdybum · 19/12/2018 20:40

Had to go for a growth scan this week as my bump measurement was small. Fast forward to the scan and actually, DD is massive - or at least about the 90th centile. (Hate the bump measurements - never right Hmm)

I have to go for a glucose test later on in the week, then onto the midwife assessment unit to discuss a care plan going forward with the consultant, dependent on what my blood test results say. I haven't had any previous signs of gestational diabetes.

It's all a bit up in the air until that assessment happens but just wanted to hear some stories of those who were expected to have/did have a "big" baby.

I'm a FTM so all new to me.

I'm relatively blase about the whole labour thing (In the fact I know it's gonna hurt/birth plans often go out of the window/I need to see how I get on) but one thing I'm wary of is forceps.

I know that if they have to be used and I'm already in labour, it's for the good of me and the baby, but I also wonder if there's any grounding for requesting an ELCS if they think there's a high risk of forceps being used? Is there any assessment of this beforehand? And yes, I know a c-section comes with it's own set of risks and recuperation - but I really can't get past my feelings on forceps.

I'm 36+5.

OP posts:
mineofuselessinformation · 19/12/2018 20:47

The thing is, you will never know how big a baby you can give birth to vaginally until the time.
I had quite big babies (8lb 13 oz and then 9lb). Other women have had much bigger babies with no problems, some have problems with smaller babies.

mineofuselessinformation · 19/12/2018 20:48

Bugger, pressed post by mistake....
So, unless your baby is very large, you may well be worrying unnecessarily.
I know that doesn't help you right now - wait and see what the next scan says.
Good luck.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 19/12/2018 20:50

I had no clue I was going to have a big baby, I was 21 and ds was 10lb 1oz and a home birth.

My subsequent babies were big too but horn at earlier gestation so slightly smaller birth weights.

No problems with labour or delivery but I did end up with a birth injury which needed surgery.

MrsRhettButler · 19/12/2018 20:51

Dd1 was 8.9 and Dd2 was 9.7 so big but not humongous.

Dd2 slid right out and didn't even hurt (other than the contraction pain)

MrsRhettButler · 19/12/2018 20:52

Sorry, meant to say Dd1 at 8.9 was a longer labour but no birth injuries with either of them.

Insertwitticismhere · 19/12/2018 20:52

My youngest was 11lb 7oz! Much easier birth & quicker recovery than my first who was 3lb lighter! No gestational diabetes baby was just v well plumbed in! (Also only just average size now)

Jackshouse · 19/12/2018 20:53

You don’t need grounds to request an elcs. Growth scan are notoriously inaccurate so don’t panic.

WatchingTheWheels85 · 19/12/2018 20:54

I had a larger baby 10lb 7 two weeks early. I had an emcs though because I had polyhydramnios and my waters went I ended up with an infection and my heart rate was at 170. My 3rd was born 9lb 8, easy straightforward labour. Two pushes and she was born with not even a graze!

BikeRunSki · 19/12/2018 20:54

My MW reckoned on DS bribgbover 11lb.
He was 7lb 10oz. 91st centile for height (and 10 yrs later still is), but skinny as s beanpole (still is).

I guess she estimated his weight from his length, but didn’t factor in his skinny ness.

Curlypop · 19/12/2018 20:54

I had a 9lb 9oz baby - ended up with forceps. All went ok but I'm worried about this next one being even bigger too. But not much we can do

Isitweekendyet · 19/12/2018 20:55

All 10lb 2oz of DS walked out - the enormous little beggar!

He wasn't huge just incredibly long! He was 91st for height too.

He eventually evened out and is tall and slim at nearly three.

We had a number of complications following is birth, however, none due to his size.

I do have terrible back problems that the doctor thinks is from being so bloody pregnant!

Hobbes8 · 19/12/2018 20:58

I was told my daughter was top of the growth charts at a scan at 36 weeks. She was delivered naturally 3 days late and weighed a totally average 7lb 1oz.

It’s an anxious time but try not to worry.

HJWT · 19/12/2018 20:59

I would TAKE every measurement scan or not with a pinch of salt!! They told me DD was 6LB.... a week later she came out 8LB 9!!! Good job I didn't take newborn clothes with me 🥵

Careylisa · 19/12/2018 21:02

My MW also told me at about three weeks before dd that DD was going to be 9lb ++. She was a few days overdue and 5lb 12oz!
Again I think this was due to measuring her length and she was fairly long.

Littlemissdaredevil · 19/12/2018 21:18

Dd was measuring on the 90th my whole pregnancy including a scan at 32weeks. DD arrived at 38 weeks weighing 6.7lbs. I think if I had gone to 40w she would have been a very average 7/7.5lbs

Rosehip345 · 19/12/2018 21:20

Biggest baby was the least painful 😁 I thank gravity 👍

randomsabreuse · 19/12/2018 21:27

I was measuring large with my 2nd (scans), and was induced at 38 +3. Baby was 8lbs (lighter than predicted but long) at that point and needed a ventouse/epesiotomy which was fine. Preferable to ventouse/tear with my first anyway.

MrsPworkingmummy · 19/12/2018 21:30

Take it with a pinch of salt. I was measuring on the 100th centile and was terrified I'd birth a whopper. My bump was ginormous too. My son was born weighing 7lb 14oz so not massive by any means...just a gorgeous, healthy, bouncing baby Grin

Stitchosaurus · 19/12/2018 21:30

Did they give you measurements for each body part? 10lb DS’s head was beyond the 100 percentile...funnily enough, I had to have a CS! The rest of him was a normal size but that giant melon head was going nowhere!

So if the head is measuring big, it might be worth talking to your dr about it.

DraculaAD1972 · 19/12/2018 21:34

I had an 11lb baby. His Labour was so easy and quick compared to my 9lb eldest.

mnahmnah · 19/12/2018 21:34

My second was 10lb 11oz! Nobody was expecting that! Bump measured spot on throughout. Straight forward vaginal delivery, no issues. So big baby does not necessarily mean difficulties or needing a c-section

mrsjackrussell · 19/12/2018 21:41

I wouldn't worry too much. I was told I was going to have an 'eye waterer' by my GP and my son was only 7.15.

ThankyouwitharecaptalR · 19/12/2018 21:42

I had several growth scans as I was consultant led (high bmi), baby measured big at each scan but was in proportion and followed the same growth line/ arc. I also had the gestational diabetes test which was fine. I was initially of the opinion that a vaginal birth would be fine but at the last scan they predicted the baby to be 10lbs by 40weeks which was the hospitals trigger to offer an ELCS and coupled with my worry of shoulder dystocia and forceps I chose the section. Baby was born at 9lb2 so not quite as big as expected, but what I hadn't realised, or thought of, was how long she was and still is. The section was fantastic and definitely the right choice for me.

froufroulala · 19/12/2018 21:46

I was told repeatedy my baby would be of average size. 11lb 3oz, 59cms she arrived. Vaginal delivery.

3boysandabump · 19/12/2018 21:46

A scan told me that my 3rd dc was going to be over 10lb so was booked for a section due to previous problems birthing ds1 who was 8lb 10. Baby was only 8lb 12

I've had gestational diabetes in one pregnancy and that baby was my smallest