Help! Baby weighs 8lb 8oz at 35 +4 weeks!

[SaraKatie]

This is my first pregnancy and I'm 30. I had a growth scan yesterday because the baby was measuring big and she is off the charts! Femur length is in the 95th percentile, head the same, stomach 97th, and estimated weight at the moment is 8lb 8oz and I'm only 35 weeks!

I've had a gestational diabetes test done and I don't have it. I didn't think I would because I don't have any of the symptoms.

I'm seriously freaking out. I don't really understand it! I'm relatively tall (5ft 8') but nothing crazy. My husband is only 5ft 9'. He was quite a big baby (9lb 2) but I was only 7lbs something.

Before I got pregnant my BMI was 26, which I know isn't ideal because it's above 25, but it's not crazy, and I was (am?) very fit and quite muscular – I exercise a lot. I've gained around 30 lbs – I'd prefer if it was less, but it doesn't seem that insane, especially as the baby is massive! I've been exercising plenty (still been doing X fit and spin classes and walking). I don't think I've been eating like crazy, pretty much just my normal diet.

I'm very freaked out by all of this. My bump doesn't even look that big – in my maternity class where we are all around the same gestation mine looked pretty average.

I just feel really horrible like I've done something wrong for this to have happened. I keep getting upset thinking I messed up as a mum already. I also feel like I just can't eat anything even though I know that's dangerous and not the solution. I literally can't swallow food now though. I just feel sick and like crying all day.

I have been handling pregnancy really well so far. Haven't been sick at all, have been working my full-time job no problem, working out and doing my voluntary sports coaching with kids. I've moved house three times during this pregnancy because we are doing major renovations on our home, and I was feeling quite proud of myself for handling it all quite well. Well maybe it's what I get for feeling like I was doing a good job!

I'm terrified about the birth, because with 4.5 weeks to go the baby could be on track to be 11lbs!!! I didn't want a caesarian but I also don't want to cause horrible issues for either myself or my baby trying to do a natural birth. I really didn't want to be induced, but I imagine it might have to happen. I also keep reading stories online about how people were told their baby was going to be massive and turned out normal. I'm worried this will be the case and I'll have a horrible birth experience for no reason.

I'm not seeing my consultant until Wednesday and I'll obviously have to see what she says. I don't really know what I'm looking for here. Maybe some reassurance? I'm freaking out!

The later the scan, the less inaccurate they are. Honestly - take it with a pinch of salt. I was offered an induction at 38 weeks as my son was measuring 11'6. Yes, you read that right! He was born naturally at bang on 10lbs.

You have certainly not done anything wrong and if you don't mind me asking, do you have any food "issues". Thinking that a BMI of 26 is "not ideal" and not wanting to eat is, to me, a sign of greater anxiety. Please have a chat with your midwife to put your mind at rest.

I actually just meant salt, not SALT 😄

I give up! Salt must be a hot word here!

I measured >95th percentile throughout pregnancy and birth weight was estimated at more than 10lb when I had a scan. I’m a pretty uninteresting 5’5 but DH is tall.

DD was born at 41+1 weighing a diddy 7lb! Take it with a pinch of salt, and remember that measuring big is not considered to be a clinical reason for induction according to the NICE guidelines.

My dd was small. Was told she would be lower end of 6lb. She was 4lb 14oz. Nothing wrong with her and perfectly healthy.
Due to this had growth scans with my second.
Was told he is big but won't be anymore that 8.5lbs. He was 9lb 9oz. Didn't need a csection however was unable to walk without crutches at the end of pregnancy due to pgd (is that what it's called can't remember)
Labour was easier than dd's. He did get "stuck" a bit when I was pushing but managed unaided. Didn't even tear only grazed.
He was very compact. And even now is heavier than his sister who is 2 years older than him but he's not fat. They can get accurate with length and things but weight is only guessed based on those things so how much your baby weighs will be a mystery until the put them on the scales.
I will add I was slim build and only 5ft 2. No diabetics either however was on iron tablets for anemia and didn't eat loads as had horrendous sickness at the start

Well I was pretty much the same as you. 5ft8 not overweight before pregnancy, no GD, kept active ate well. Big bump but not massive. Dd was born 39 weeks at 10lb 6 pretty much exactly as predicted on scans. Normal delivery with diamorphine. DS was born 2 weeks ago. Predicted normal 8lb on scans. Born on due date...11lb! Easy pool birth, gas and air.

My point is theres no poing worrying about big babies, some come out easily, some don't. Just the same as if they are 6lb. My DD is 3 now, tall but slim so you don't need to worry they will be massive children either.

Thanks all, it's reassuring to hear other people's stories. I guess I'm very hormonal and as a first-time mum I'm worrying that I've somehow messed up before she's even born!

@Episcomama A BMI of 26 isn't really ideal as it put me in the overweight category (albeit only barely). I know BMI isn't perfect, but it is seen as an ok measure for most normal people, and to be honest I don't think I'm an outlier, I could have stood to lose a few lbs and was a size 14/L in most things. That said, you are right that I have some food anxieties as I definitely had a few issues in the past and dropped to a much lower weight in my late teens/early twenties. I've had a handle on them for a while and eat relatively well, but hearing my baby is so big so early definitely has made some feelings resurface. It's something I'll have to address at my next appointment. I'm also feeling so anxious and stressed now that I can't eat anyway. I'll have to force some healthy food down for the sake of the baby though.

I got told my baby would be 6.8 she was 8.6! X

I get what you're saying about your BMI but with all the exercise you seem to be doing I think it's much more likely to be muscle! I'm having growth scans at the moment because I'm overweight (and have had 2 negative glucose tests, normal BP, not lots of weight put on and mostly veg diet) and I'm apparently growing a chunk. I also have SPD which has meant finishing work today as I can't bear the train/bus commute anymore. I'm 5ft and at the last scan at 31 and 5, baby was measuring 4lb 14 and we're on the 95th percentile, judging by this dull term would be between 11-12lbs. To say I freaked out would be an understatement, my anxiety hasn't been great throughout pregnancy and this just set me off. This is my first pregnancy too but my consultant has been great and in fact were due to talk inductions when I see her in 10 days. X

I don't think those scans are hugely reliable so please don't get hung up on the baby's size. Or yours!

It's good you're under consultant care. My baby was measuring big, but he came at 39 weeks so didn't have that extra time to go properly off the charts!

However, if he had grown anywhere near 11lbs I'd have asked for an elective section. Yes, growth scans are notoriously unreliable, but at that kind of weight I wouldn't like to risk complications like shoulder dystocia. My friends who had planned sections had fabulous birth experiences. It's really not a failure or a negative.