35 weeks estimated weight 7.5lb

[Pinkbell123]

I had a growth scan today and the baby is already estimated at 7lb8oz with over a month to go! His head circ is average for 42 weeks.

I know these are often incorrect but does anyone have any experience of larger babies? I have to have a rescan in 2 weeks time. I'm under consultant care anyway as I have an autoimmune disease(which has been ok in pregnancy but I'm scared it will flare up after the birth as it does when I'm run down)

What are the chances of them letting me go overdue? I think I'd like to be induced a week or so early, has anyone successfully managed to get this?

I'm just v scared of delivering a massive baby and ending up with an emergency c section. I want to start motherhood in the best condition I can to try and ward off an autoimmune flare up. The doctor didn't say much today just wait and see what the 37 week scan says.

If anyone has any advice that'd be great.

At 32 weeks my baby was estimated to be 7lbs. She was born six weeks later at 6lbs8.

Don't stress as they are often inaccurate!

This happened to my friend before xmas- baby was 7.5 at 36 weeks, then 8.5 when she went back at 38 weeks, they proposed they induce her the next day. She took their advice and ended up having a wonderful labour- registered in hospital at 9am the next day, induction at 10am, epidural at 2pm and baby born at 5pm. how's that for the perfect labour!! he was nearly 9 lbs as well, but both of them perfect.. if she'd gone full term there is no way she could have avoided a section..

I am going (privately) to the same consultant who has also told me that she will induce me on the day i'm due, all going well. I dont know why so many people go so far over!! It really increases the likelihood of an EMCS surely??

Chica - there can be good reasons to induce early. If it is medically indicated of course you should think about going for it. But early induction increases the chances of induction not working and leading to a section (or being very arduous). Especially for a first baby. Induction is most likely to go smoothly when the body is almost ready to go anyway. That's why a lot of people resist.

At a personal level, I had the syntocin drip for DD1 and, for me, it is an experience I would very much want to avoid. To the extent that I think I'd rather have a section than be induced if I went very far over.

Pink - Try not to panic. These early scans are notoriously unreliable. See what the next one says

Thanks everyone. I know a lot can change and the weight is just an estimate but it's the 42 week head size that's worrying me! Surely that can't be that inaccurate.

Chica - your friends experience sounds great!

I'll wait and see how the next scan goes - reckon it will be a long two weeks!

It can be very inaccurate- they can't exactly put a tape measure around the baby's head

Don't worry about having a bigger than average baby. It does not mean that the are more difficult to birth.

DS 1 was scanned as "large" every time - at least 4/5 weeks ahead - and I had some growth scans just to check him. He was born at 40+4 weighing 9lb10oz. TBH labour was fine and far easier than most of my friends who had little 6/7 pounders!

The consultant said they would only induce me if the baby was so big that I could physically not birth him. As I am a size 12 he didn't see there would be a problem. He said if I was like his last patient (a very petite size 4 thai lady with a baby estimating 11-12lb!) then he would probably induce me!

I think they say baby gains half a pound a week in the last few weeks so your baby is looking like 9lb8oz ish? You will not get an induction for that alone but the dr will need to take into account your health issues aswell.

TBH you are more likely to end up with a c section if you get induced (your body is not ready for birth) than if you wait for labour to start naturally.

Thanks everyone. Just got to stop worrying. You never know, I might go into labour naturally by then...(fingers crossed!)

I wouldn't worry too much- not least because it'll achieve jack schitt. He will be coming out one way or the other.

Also, I don't tend to think of any weight in single figures as being that big these days. I only start wincing when I hear of twelve-pounders.