OMG baby already 4lbs 5oz and still 8 weeks to go - I am only little!

[Samraves]

I am in complete shock! I have just had a growth scan as the MW and consultant were both worried about her being on the small side... I have been really not well and lost a lot of weight at the beginning of my pregnancy.

Soooo... the sonographer just told me that my little one is bigger than average, has a big head and already weighs 4lb 5oz!!! I am only 5ft 2 and very slim and husband isn't a big chap - very average and most of his family are small. I am obviously relieved that my baby is doing well, but am very freaked out about giving birth now!!!

Anyone else a bit freaked out??

Hmmm have you been checked for gestational diabetes?

I don't know anyone who's size scans were correct.

Don't worry....in the vast majority of cases your body won't let you grow a baby bigger than you can get out the traditional way.

Congratulations and Good Luck too :)

Thanks everyone - I have to have faith you are right!... and no - I haven't been checked for diabetes - would that make a difference? I am not due to see the consultant for another week or so - so would be over 32 weeks by that stage. Will it hurt my baby if it is not picked up or just be no good for me?

I have just put a similar post in Childbirth as I had a growth scan this morning that totally freaked me out (predicted weight at 40 wks of 9lb and 5oz) and have concerns about going overdue. But the replies posted were pretty reassuring - ie growth scans are not particularly accurate in predicting birth weight.

I am having a calming cup of tea and trying not to fret . . . ;)

I agree with what everyone has said about the growth scans. With my DS2 I was told he was too small, and they were very worried. He was born at 41 weeks and was 9lbs! Two of my friends recently were told they had very big babies - they were both so worried that i am convinced that is why they ended up having c-sections as they were scared of giving birth to massive babies. The babies were both a normal 8lb 4 and 8lb 6. Please, don't pay any attention to the scans - unless of course as sh77 says you have gd.
Congrats on your pregnancy.

My DD was born at 32 weeks and was 4lb8..I was told if she had been born at term she'd have been a 10lber but most of the 32/33 weekers I know have been around 4lb4 ish when they were born so it's not an unusual size to be at that gestation.

I was scanned at 34 weeks last time (reduced foetal movements). They reckoned baby was going to be 7lb5 at term by their measurements. She was 8lb6 - would agree with all the other posters that scans are notoriously inaccurate wrt weight.

I'm only 5' 3" 1/2 (the 1/2 is very important!!) and of a slight build. 9lb 2oz DS came out the traditional way without me requiring a single stitch, so even if your DD is a tad on the chunky side you might be fine anyway. I have heard that larger babies can sometimes be easier to deliver as there's more pressure on the cervix meaning you dilate more quickly, but not sure if that's right or not.

I didn't have any growth scans, but had one MW estimate that DS would be 6lb 12oz just by feeling my bump at 38 weeks. Must admit at the time I was a bitgiven that I resembled a small hippo by this point. The MW I saw at 40 weeks guessed 8lb, which whilst nearer was still a bit out (though to be fair in the end he wasn't born for another 14 days...). Though I accept scans are likely to be more accurate that a quick prod, I'd still bear in mind that estimtes of weight are just that - estimates.

Hope everything works out well for you

Hi,
I to went for a scan this wk to check growth of baby at 32 wks and was told he weighed 4lbs and 9ozs and the lady said 'cor your going to have a big baby..' which didnt help, but a friend of mine was tld at 32wks that her baby was 4lb 3ozs, and was told at one point her baby was under weight she went on to have a 7lb 12ozs baby. Try not to worry, i am.. :) as long as the babys are well it shouldnt matter.

I just have to add the other side that my baby was predicted as large at all scans (they said was 8 1/2lb at 36w with 1/2lb a week to go) and he came out at 40w at 10lb 6oz! So it works sometimes and it doesn't others.

I'd say get yourself checked out for diabetes, eat sensibly and read up about CS procedure just in case. They (CS) are not wonderful (abdominal surgery) but it was not as bad as I had hyped it up to be in my head. Good luck.

I was induced 2 weeks early with DD as I had GD I they said she was aready about 11lb's! DD was born and she was actually just 7ib's.

Hey sam, hope you're doing well - how is the nausea now?

I had a friend who was told at her growth scan she had a big baby and by their estimates and dates etc it was likely to be 8 - 9 lbs - she's also quite small and slim, but in the end baby was born 7lbs4oz - so try not to panic (although I know the feling - I've had 2 scans and in both my baby has come up on the top end of the 'normal' range so I'm slightly worried I'm going to have a wopper - ouch!

Hi Samraves, just repeating what others have said. It's worth doing a glucose tolerance test if you haven't already but chances are it's just the ultrasound that's inaccurate.

From memory, I think they have a tolerance of +/- 600grams or so (over 1lb). Which means your baby could be 4lb5oz, or 3lb5oz or 5lb5oz or some other weight. Also, babies do sometimes have growth spurts but settle back down to 'normal' parameters the next week. My personal opinion is that ultrasounds have their uses - but predicting size is not one of them. It's just too inaccurate.

When I was expecting DS, I was warned that he was predicted to be well over 11lbs (I'm 5ft 4 and slim build). The obstetrician tried to talk me into a C-section. In the end, my DS was born at home, without any problems or stitches at a healthy 9lb 2oz.

I am also 5.2 (well, just over) and with DD had a late scan (35 weeks?) She was estimated at 6lb 4oz and came out 8lb 7oz at 41 weeks.

FWIW - all my DC were that weight and I've had relatively easy labours (DS2 and DD) were hour and a half, painless labours pushing for 6 mins and 7 mins). I wouldn't worry too much.

My size scans were bang on (well, to within a couple of ounces) both times with predicted final weight. But they are often way out.

But they only gain about half a pound a week at this stage -- so that would mean you're looking at an 8lb 5oz baby at 40 weeks and while not teeny, that's not enormous.

Don't worry, the scans are not really very reliable. The only one I had which was accurate was on my due date, and I went into labour later that day; the weight and head circumference were as predicted. But I think that is unusal.

I am a petite 8 and squeezed out my two above average babies, no problem.

Try not to worry about it, don't think 'I'm having a big baby' just remain positive and all the best for a straight-forward labour and delivery.

they can get it wrong! im 5'2 and size 8 and with my second they told me that he was going to be under 8lb when born and he was 10lb 1& half oz,i did get him out but only just and i had alot of probs! (not trying to worry you) my friend get told that her baby wasnt growing and when she came out she was 6lb 13oz! so dont worry dont think alot of them know realy! good luck

As everyone has said, growth scans are a bit useless in terms of accuracy. My DD was predicted 9.11 and was 8.2 (40 weeks on the dot).

Also, I've known people who have had complicated births with little babies and simple births with 10lb babies, and vice versa, so try not to worry. Size isn't everything.

Good luck

I had a similar experience. A scan at 36 weeks estimated that DS was 6 1/2 lbs already and the sonographer said he would gain half a pound each week until he was born. I was sure he would be late and huge. He was born at 40+2 and was only 6lbs 13 oz.

I knew at the time, but the sonographer didn't say that this was an estimate of the baby's size. That seemed really poor to me.

5'1 over here and had a 9lb3oz (43 weeks) and 9lb1oz (39 weeks) babies. Only tested for gestational diabetes on 2nd pregnancy (negative). My very slim 6'1 husband and myself just make big healthy babies I guess
So, ignore growth scan predictions, and countdown to meeting your newborn!!
Good luck

Thanks everyone, you are making me feel much better - and I have been just focusing on the fact that they are not worried about her any more. I have a consultant appointment on Tuesday, so I am sure they will check my wee - if I have keytones again, I will ask whether diabetes could be an issue...

hey angels - waves back I still feel poo - only three more weeks of work thank god, how are you doing?

S x

Don't freak out about it. I was informed my baby was very big for dates and to expect him to be at least 9lb. I was at this news as I'm 4'11" and slim but he was only 6lb10oz.

They aren't very accurate.

I'm 5', size 8 hips dc2 was 10lb6oz gave birth easily - they told me I was having a small baby because I measured small for dates despite looking like a house when I was stood up

It's all a bit of guess tbh.