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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Big baby

25 replies

Rachski · 12/10/2007 15:05

Hi, I've just joined MN and found the talk boards really helpful. I and 39 + 2 and have been advised that I have a larger than average baby. This has sent me into a tailspin and have gone from being excited about the birth to terrified. Has anyone got experience of this - I've elected to use my local birthing centre but have been classed as low threshold for this - would I be better to forget this and go with the consultants? I am a first time mum (if you can't already tell) and don't really know anyone that can give me advice apart from my gran who gave birth in the forties!

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MrsTittleMouse · 12/10/2007 15:14

Hi!
What measurement did they use to classify the baby as big? There are lots of cases on Mumsnet where the baby turned out to be much smaller than predicted. Actually, my DD was "supposed" to be 9 and a half pounds, and was actually 8 pounds 2.

nicand2 · 12/10/2007 15:16

Hi,
My first baby was 8.12. With my second the consultant told me he was a big baby but still told me there was a good chance I would deliver naturally. However I ended up with a C section after 2 hours of pushing as he just got stuck, he weighed 10.11 I'm sure it doesn't mean you would necessarily end up with a c section though. Go with what you feel comfortable with. I'm sure your delivery will be fine, try not to worry and good luck!

Original poster

Rachski · 12/10/2007 15:31

Thanks for getting back to me, the midwife had a prod around my bump and told me that she would be very surprised if the baby was under 9 pounds at 38 weeks, I went to see a consultant yesterday who had another prod and used a tape measure on my bump who said that that the baby was 'definately considerably larger than average'. I think its fear of the unknown really. Been getting pains throught the night all week I'll find out soon!

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Lizzylou · 12/10/2007 15:37

DS1 was 8lb 13oz and I knew that DS2 was a big baby, as I had something to compare with, I had so many scans, the MW's kept measuring and even just looking at me and saying he was big and the Consultants kept saying that from the scans he would be about 9lb...he was 10lb 11oz and a ventouse delivery.

I do know many people who were told baby was too big/small, erroneously, so all well but personally, I would maybe err on the side of caution and go with the Consultants.

Good Luck!

hamabeads · 12/10/2007 15:49

Have they not offered you a growth scan. You may just have a lot of fluid. But if it is any reassurance big babies are lovely. I managed to deliver one over 11 lb naturally and once out they feed and sleep beautifully

Lizzylou · 12/10/2007 15:52

I agree Hamabeads, DS2 was a such a healthy, bonny baby, he slept and fed fantastically and was so bonny

goingfor3 · 12/10/2007 15:58

I was told my babies were massive and one was 7lb 12 oz but two weeks early the other was 9 lb 1 oz two days late. They were bigger than average but not huge as I had been told and I had easy births. My friend on the other hand was convinced she was having a huge baby, she's only 5'2'', after feeling her belly the drs and midwifes all said her baby would be around 6lbs she was infact 10lbs! They don't always get it right and really can scare you.

NoNameToday · 12/10/2007 16:03

Has it only recently been thought to be 'large for dates' Rachski, or have you been measuring big for a while?

Lulumama · 12/10/2007 16:06

IIRC , average is 7 lb or so, so your baby could be 7.5 lb or 8 pounds, neither of which is gigantic.. women tend to grow the size of baby they can birth, no need to be terrified!

also, palpation , fundal measurement and scans are not 100 % accurate at determining weight

also, some babies are bigger, some are smaller, or they would all be average

try not too fret too much !

Original poster

Rachski · 12/10/2007 16:14

The midwife mentioned back at week 30 that she looked big but I thought nothing of it as the actal birth seemed so far away! I thought I was going for a scan yeterday but it didn't appear, I should have asked yesterday but over the last couple of weeks I seem to have become a bit thick and easily flummoxed especially when with midwives of doctors. Thank you all for your support it feels pretty scary at the moment.

OP posts:

NoNameToday · 12/10/2007 16:25

Oh dear Rachksi, pregnancy is such a wonderful state, but it can be so very frightening.

Big babies, small babies, there can be problems with delivery in any labour, but the majority are normal straightforward deliveries with wonderful outcomes, yes occasionally there are little hiccups and help is needed.

At least you are aware that 'someone' feels baby is slightly large, so folks will be on the alert.

Try to relax and have confidence in your ability to deliver, knowing that if needed, help is available.

CarGirl · 12/10/2007 16:25

I only measured 39cm at 42+2 so was told it couldn't be a big baby, she was 10lb6oz and I'm only 5' it was fine, she didn't get stuck.

My friend had all the scans going and was told 8lbs, her dc was 10lb5oz.......they're really not very accurate!

FlossALump · 12/10/2007 16:35

In my family we seem to tend to have big babies, all 9lbs plus. However when I had DS (admittedly a couple of weeks early!) he was 7lbs 7. Which was a lovely surprise! This time though I have a two and a half week old who weighed in at 10lbs 7.5! I had to be induced at 40+12. The birth was definately more painful than with DS - but I don't know how much that is due to the induction and how much is due to the size of DD!

The midwife thought that DD would be 8 or 9 lbs. I still hold that against her!

IMO you have to do whatever you most feel comfortable with. You wanted the birth centre initially - there is a chance the size of the baby is completely 'normal'. And if you run in to problems I'm sure there are good arrangements in place to arrange transfers??

becklespookle · 12/10/2007 16:50

Hiya Rachski!
DS1 was 9lb 1/2 oz and his brother was 9lb 4oz and I am a slim-built person of just under 5ft 4in. DS1 got a little stuck on his way out but was born with only the need for a couple of stitches. DS2 was much easier to give birth to although he was a little larger, I think it is becuase his head was smaller.
I am 29 weeks with DC3 and measuring ahead of dates already but am not too worried this time.
My friend was also told her baby would be very large, he was 8lb 12oz and she gave birth very easily, under 2 hours in labour and came home a few hours later.

I think if you are happy to go to your local birthing centre and they are happy to have you then stick with your original plan. If you are worried at all then go with the consultants. Have they said that they would induce you early or anything?
Good luck!

WorkingClassScum · 12/10/2007 17:02

I was measuring large for dates for two visits in a row so the midwife sent me for a scan to rule out excess amniotic fluid. No, he was just big! Supposed to be a 10lber, which I was fine with as I pretty much expected it given that the husband and I were both not far off 9lbers ourselves, but ds turned out to be 12lb 4oz!

I was told by the doc that no-one knows what a woman can do in labour till she goes through it and everyone was pretty relaxed about it. I was induced at 41+3days and after two hours of pushing ended up with a c-section because he wasn't coming down at all, but that was because his head was tilted back enough to make a difference.

Skyler · 12/10/2007 17:12

Oh poor you. I was told my babies would be small as I hardly had a bump. They were 8lb7 and 8lb6 so not exactly tiny (though not huge either). It is not an exact science and I don't know why midwives etc say that without knowing...it causes unnecessary stress imo.
Anyway bigger babies are generally stronger and can help themselves along during the birth a bit better and hopefully feed and sleep better too.
At least that is what I would tell myself if I was worried about a big baby.
Good Luck and try not to stress. What will be will be and you will be fine. It is scary I know but remind yourself thousands of people do it every day etc etc. I managed it and I am not special. You will be fine. Take care and good luck.

lizziemun · 12/10/2007 17:30

I'm 5ft 1in and a small frame.

Was told with dd1 she would be average (7 - 7 1/2lb) was born at 39 wks and was 9lb 4oz.

With dd2 i was told at 41 wks she wouldn't be more then 8lb, she was 9lb 2oz.

I have to say with dd2 my bump was all baby and water, i lost 19lb when i had her.

Phraedd · 12/10/2007 17:42

all 3 of mine were large and since i was only 8 stone when i fell pregnant, i too was worried. All 3 births were lovely and i only had stitches with baby 1.

their weights were:

daughter 8lb15 oz
1st son 9lb 15oz (10 days early)
2nd son 9lb 4z (6 days early)

Holly78 · 12/10/2007 17:50

Hi just to say,my first dd was 9lb13 and i had no problems and she was the most contented baby ever my second was 7lbs and a screaming little bugger !! I prefer big a big baby. But just remember everyone is different, i know its daunting but try to enjoy your last days xx

BetsyBoop · 13/10/2007 10:43

firstly size estimates are notoriously inaccurate

I was scared to death first time round when told after growth scan DD would be 9.5-10lbs - she was 8.5lbs in the end - not exactly small, but I'm 5'11" & DH is 6'4", so we were hardly likely to have a 6lber...

Also the (only nice) doctor I saw pointed out that the body is squashy, so the only thing that actually matters is the size of the head, the other bits can squash their way out & it's very rare for a Mum to grow a baby with a head too big for delivery provided that baby is lined up in the correct presentation.

Just had a growth scan this week for DC2 (I'm 37wks) as I'm measuring big again. Again the prediction is big - 9lb 10oz - But I'm an old hand this time "yeah right, whatever"

It's much nicer to have a "plump" baby, they don't go all skinny when the inevitable weight loss in the first week happens & they usually sleep for longer too, try not to worry about it too much, I'm sure you'll be fine

inthegutter · 13/10/2007 11:51

No no no - go with the local birthing centre!! Estimates re: size are often hopelessly innaccurate. Also, the weight of the baby isn't a terribly significant factor in how difficult the birth is. A 6 pound baby nay have the same size head as an 8 or 9 pounder, and tbh once the head's out, that's the worst bit over. I had similar scare stories with dd1 - I was told she was 'very big' for a first baby, but in fact there was a larger than average amount of fluid which accounted for some of it. She was born a week early in a birthing unit, natural birth, 8lb 12 so not overly big. And I'm sure the midwife who delivered her was a lot more useful than some consultant in a big hospital would have been.

Original poster

Rachski · 13/10/2007 16:40

Thank you all, I do feel a whole more positive and am just trying not to overthink it. She has to come out anyway so theres no point in me stressing I suppose! I have been having more contractions over night and today so hopefully I'll have a big buddha baby to hold soon!

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micegg · 14/10/2007 11:30

My DD was 8lbs and 9ozs. I am only 5'4" so quite big for me. I was only told I was expecting a large baby when I was in labour . Not the time to share this information! I am worried about the next one as I did have a second degree tear. But think that was more to do with the epidural and position.

AussieSim · 14/10/2007 11:50

Bigger is better I always say , not for the coming out bit but for the general health of a baby, so I would be happy to be told I was having a big baby - it is the small ones that there is more likely to be complications and health issues with. My second was 9lb3 and I just had a little gas and no damage and that was after being told that my 'bits' had not been 'tested' by DS1 as he was 5 weeks premmie and only 6lb3. Just try to relax and go with the flow. Having said that I do like to have all the gadgets and professionals around just in case ...

tron · 16/10/2007 13:36

I had DS i was warned he'd be big he was 9lb 3oz. I was told DD would be big - she was only 8lb 1oz. DS was Emergency C/S was he got himself jammed. As they said DD was big the let me go 40 plus 12 2 cancelled inductions and them told to go to aanother hospital who refused to induce me due to my history and i ended up with another cs

I've been told that the size of your feet has some sort of bearing on the size of your pelvis - i'm 5'7 but with size 3 feet - i'm not sure if it's an old wives tale though

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