Size of unborn baby - do they really know?

[koalabear]

My first son was right on mr average for the entire pregnancy - exactly as expected for dates

This bump is "big for dates", and the consultant told me yesterday that my baby is more the size of 37/38 weeks, than my current 34 weeks 2 days.

So, does this means, that based on averages, my 34 week old unborn baby is the size of an average 37/38 week unborn baby?

And does this mean he or she is more likely to make an early appearance?

PS. We are sure on dates, so I don't think that we've got that side messed up.

All the way through my pregnancy I was told that I was having a "big" baby. The midwife told me it would be in the region of 9lbs. When dd was born, she weighed 6lbs 10 and was born 2 days after her due date.

Sorry, can't help with any of your questions as I only have that one experience - maybe Mears is around, I see her name from time to time.

I had this problem with my first pregnancy. They wanted to find out the exact weight so sent me for another scan at 39 weeks and they measured the baby as being between 9 and 10 lbs. She was born 3 weeks later and weighed exactly 7 lbs. They cant really tell the size of the baby without a scan as some of it could be fluid etc and even with a scan they can get it very wrong.

If they are concerned they'll give you a scan near the end but dont worry too much about the scan result either. Even a big baby will find a way out when it's time!

Last time round I was repeatedly told i had a small to average baby ( I am a a small build and was told baby was 6-7lbs). Throughout preg they told me I was small for dates and threatened with a growth scan. Baby was born at 8 1/2 lbs.Go figure.......

The short answer is no the don't know.

Also a big bump doesn't mean an early appearance. DS was 9 lb 10 oz and I was given similar measurements at your stage with DD and they were saying expect this one to be bigger. But as we got nearer the end I stopped growing so much and was nearer to the expected measurement and DD came in at 8lb 12oz and was born very easily presumably I was already pretty stretched by DS!

oh, thanks very much girls

in other words, don't worry about it!

Now dont be silly, KB, we woudl never say that to another woman who is pregnant. Of course you will worry - we worry about everything

I was always measuring 4 weeks ahead with no.2 and i was sure of my dates as i fell preg 3 mnths after ds1 was born! ds2 was born 4 weeks early and weighed 7lb 12 so i think they were right in that he was big for dates etc!

cx

ha ha

so, what do i worry about mostly? oh, i know ....

HOW ON EARTH AM I GOING TO BREAST FEED / BOTTLE FEED NO. 2 WHILST I HAVE A HURRICANE OF AN 18 MONTH OLD RACING AROUND THE HOUSE [GRIN] ?

I have comfort in the fact that MILLIONS of others have managed it, and therefore, so will I

LOL, how very right, the measurements are vague to say the least sometimes!! but of course when its YOU its been said too, and its your baby they are talking about, its very hard not to dwell on 'what ifs'.
I would try to squash this worry to the back of your mind for a few more weeks yet.

last message was in response to kristina

carly - - i guess that's what i'm worried about - coming early as my DH has to go away to Carlifornia for business, and i don't want to have the baby whilst he is away ......

oh well, whatever will be, will be as they say

No-one was concerned that I measured big by 2 weeks through most of my pregnancy. MW and reflexologist thought I'd be early. Then ds 2 was born at 41 weeks- he was 9lb 14oz!!

However I was also big with ds 1- he was only 7lb 2oz! I carried a lot of water with ds 1...and also had an enormous placenta, so said the mw!

I think that it is difficult for them to tell...every woman is diiferent. However if you are concerned I would give your mw a call and talk with her through the options.

All throughout my pg I've been either under week wise or measuring big. I think it's just when the baby has a growth spurt or is lying funny when they take the fundal measurement. Also if you're seen by different people they don't become familiar with your bump and always see baby differently to your regular mw.

Do you feel very big? How big was your ds (weight)? Also I have no idea what the avg 37/38 wk baby is, but I'm just 38.5wks and had a growth scan (suspected late gestational diabetes, could this be a possibility for you?), and their computer put bubba down as 7lb3 already. Apparently babes can gain upto 1/2lb during each of the last 4 wks in the womb so this baby could end up being the same as my ds who was 8lb14 on delivery.

IMO speak to your regular mw about this. It might just be the consultant looking at things differently. Also, if your ds was big then it is likely this one will be too. Also as mentioned fluid etc. and how much you weigh before your pg (eg. how much extra you have round your waistline (which I think we all have for pg2!)) will make each baby feel different. I don't think it will necessarily suggest baby will come early. HTH!

No! I desperately wanted to have my 2nd baby at home. At around 8 months, I was told she was "too small" to have at home as there may be complications. Interestingly enough they could not tell me exactly how small she was. I had a normal, easy birth and she weighed 6lb12oz, which is not "too small" in my book! Don't worry yourself too much!

koalabear,

i was induced 4 weeks early as i had obstetric cholestasis. but i was already 3cm by the time i went in for induction!!

im sure you'll be fine.

cx