Big babies - what are the risks?

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DS1 was 10 pounds and ds2 who is due in 4 weeks is looking like another big baby (has been suggested that he will be bigger). I am having a cs at 39 weeks and have had a GTT which came back fine. Just wondering whether there should be any other reasons to be concerned as my midwife and consultant still seem worried that this baby is going to be big but seem to have no specific reason?

bump

DS was 10lb 5oz at 39+5 and was fine. Apart from birth trauma injuries (not likely to be an issue with a c/s) I think big babies can have blood sugar issues (DS was just under the weight where they start worrying about that). There were a couple of other issues, I think (did some research on this before DS was born) but my list is at home and I'm at work. I'll look it up for you later if no one comes up with the goods before then.

Not as big as yours but anyway DS was 9 lb 10 and born at 40+1 vaginally with no problems (for him anyway ). I was told during late pregnancy that the baby I was carrying would be bigger. DD was 8lb 12oz and born at 39+6 at home with a 3 minutes 2nd stage and no stitches for me. So they don't always get it right.

Oh - thought of another one - you tend to lose more blood with a larger baby which is obviously risky in itself and can leave you with depleted iron levels.

Hi - just wanted to add my dd was 9lb 14 born vaginally at 40+9, not quite as big as yours but she was fine, so was I (well apart from the obvious). No explanation. Don't see why they should be concerned if you're ok.

Actually, looking through, those two (neonatal hypoglycaemia and maternal blood loss) seem to be the only risks I can find associated with c-section delivery of a macrosomic ('big' to you and me) baby (leaving aside the general risks of a c-section). Also potential obesity in later life, but most studies don't seem to separate out macrosomia related to maternal diabetes from 'just a big baby' macrosomia.

Having a big baby is an indicating factor for possible gestational diabetes in the mother (they kept doing tests and blood sugar checks on me when I was measuring ahead and seemed almost disappointed when the results always came back perfectly normal with no sign of GD), and there are increased risks for vaginal delivery, so maybe they've just got used to being twitchy even though there's no particular cause in your case? The midwives and consultants I saw with DS were pretty relaxed about the whole issue.

Thanks for your thoughts. My GTT was normal in both pregnancies and no sign of GD so it looks like I just make big babies! Once I agreed to a cs (I also have a bicornuate uterus) they were much happier however I will be sure to ask whether the 2 issues you raised Leah are the only ones of concern in a cs delivery and if so why is everyone so worried?!

ds was big - 11 lbs 40z at 40 +12days.

They tested him a lot for diabetes during his first hours and he nearly got stuck so they were getting ready to ventouse - mainly as he kept going into distress. But this was caused by cord being around his neck so not sure it is linked to his size.

The hospital knew I was having a big baby and didn't seem bothered at all. In fact they quite happily let me be so late (or maybe they just forgot about me)

Once out big babies are fab though, feed and sleep well from day 1

my ds was 10lb 7oz and 2 weeks late. had a scan days before he was born and no one suggested he might be big, had no idea. was born naturally and it went quickly and well in just 5hrs. the visiting midwife warned me that a 2nd baby would probably be bigger and arrive quicker but i don't know if thats the case. had no idea of any specific health risks, although know that gestational diabetes can result in large babies