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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Large baby fear...

14 replies

Alby16 · 04/03/2015 09:18

FTM to be, had a scan yesterday to check position of placenta and on checking a couple of growth stats (femur and ac) the sonographer says "don't be buying many first sizes" I laughed, then got in the car and looked at my notes and at scan conclusions it said "large for gestational age" - can't help feeling anxious. I have got much bigger in the last week or so and am only 32 weeks. Advice/reassurance? I know baby still has a while to go.

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knittingirl · 04/03/2015 09:33

Don't panic :) growth scans are notoriously inaccurate, and even if your baby is a bit bigger than average, it's probably nothing to worry about. My son went straight into 0-3 month clothes, and he was born vaginally with no real issues and was very healthy. They would have told you if there was actually something concerning - babies come in a whole range of sizes, and someone has to be on the larger end :)

AnythingNotEverything · 04/03/2015 09:40

I do wish they wouldn't put the fear of god into pregnant women at these scans.

Big babies are no more likely to get stuck than small babies. Birth is about position of baby, not size. Also, the variation in head size between large and small babies is not great, and the head is the biggest bit. Often, bigger babies are longer, not necessarily wider, and once you've got the head out you're pretty much home and dry.

Big babies are lovely - often solid, strong and healthy looking. I've had two 9lb+ babies with minor, 2nd degree tears and stitches. No problems, all in fine working order, not pg with DC3.

Don't panic. Despite all the advice above, do remember that there's every chance you'll have an average sized 7-8lb baby and that the sonographer was entirely wrong.

fatbottomgirl67 · 04/03/2015 09:42

Scans are rarely accurate and even if it is big babies don't usually create problems. My sister had an 11lb 2oz baby boy with no problems at all. Enjoy your last few months and try to relax

BetweenDogandWolf · 04/03/2015 09:51

My DD was almost 9 lbs (and I'm a very small build). Her birth was very quick and straightforward. I really wouldn't panic, especially as PP have said, they can't really estimate the size of the baby accurately.

Naturegirl82 · 04/03/2015 09:51

Big babies are sometimes easier to birth as their weight works with gravity to get them out. I had a 9 lb baby with compound presentation (born with hand on face -just to make it more difficult!) with no problems and no tears. DD was a long baby as well 91st centile for length but did fit in newborn clothes for a few weeks.

Try not to worry about it

scarednoob · 04/03/2015 10:02

i can only speak anecdotally, but my friend who had a 10lb baby (and she's the tiniest, skinniest little thing you ever saw!) was absolutely fine, textbook labour, whereas my poor friend who had a 4.5lb baby had a nightmare of a time. so even if the baby is a bit big, you're just as likely to be fine.

both my friends' children are now lovely 2 year olds and you'd never guess which one was which - they're identical in size!

Original poster

Alby16 · 04/03/2015 10:41

Thanks girls.

I think I just had a wobble, pre-labour nerves il call it! Haven't actually been worried up until now but feel better with your reassurances!!

OP posts:

Hakluyt · 04/03/2015 10:45

They do like to worry you! I had two huge babies- the easiest labours and births anyone could have, despite all the head shaking and indrawn breaths during my pregnancies. I still remember the one wonderful doctor who smiled and said "lovely sturdy baby in there!" It was so nice to hear something positive!

PurpleRose864 · 04/03/2015 11:02

Growth scans estimated my little boy to be 10lb7 at birth. He's was born at 39+5 at 7lb5. Good luck x

Number3cometome · 04/03/2015 15:10

There is another post today on the accuracy of growth scan weight estimates, you will see how very wrong they get it a lot of the time!

It's only an indication no need to worry.

Alisvolatpropiis · 04/03/2015 16:12

I just came on here to post something similar after being told at my 25 week check up that the baby was slightly above average.

Nice to read some positive things about having a larger baby!

ChocolateBiscuitCake · 05/03/2015 14:07

Just to say that I have had two scans in the last week - one privately with a consultant and one with the NHS (trainee) both to check for concerns with extra fluid.

The private one (which I am more inclined to take seriously given the experience of the doctor) said that baby was over 95% femur and head. Abdominal Circumference is 50%. Fair enough - I have a big husband, a big bump and this is baby 4 (other three all born big).

The NHS one has femur length at about 60% and AC at 95%.

So basically, complete opposites. Which just shows how widely inaccurate these scans are!

ReallyBadParty · 05/03/2015 14:14

I disagree. Well, I know that scans are inaccurate, but I had a giant baby, and if I'd had known how big he was going to be then I would have asked for a CS.

I kept saying he was going to be big, and mw dismissed me,no scan, but I was right

So I would think hard about it to find the best solution for you.

Allstoppedup · 05/03/2015 14:22

I was told DS was large for gestation at about the same time as you. No one seemed unduly concerned which concerned me!

I ended up going two weeks over, and having nightmares that he had grown to the size of a minibus in that time but he came out at a rather average 7lb 13oz.

His head had measured large apparently...

I wouldn't worry as their scans can be wrong but if you are scared you can always talk to your midwife about any options, I.e, follow up scans etc...

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