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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Baby's head is measuring really big!

26 replies

rosemary33 · 07/04/2020 19:44

I had a 36 week scan today and my baby's head is measuring really big (35cm, >97th centile). Everything else was within the normal range, although the baby is on the heavy side (almost 7lb!!)

The sonographer didn't seem concerned, but when I got home I started googling and have worked myself up into a right state. I'm panicking that he/she will be really out of proportion or much worse, that something is terribly wrong - like fluid on the brain or an issue with the skull.

I have a bigger than average head myself but my mum doesn't recall any issues with my head size at birth, although it was a long time ago now.

I read that a baby's growth slows down from 37 weeks onwards (1oz a week, down from 0.5lbs per week) so is there a chance that the head could stop growing now?

Lastly, if you were me, given the head size would you insist on a caesarian?

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sarahc336 · 07/04/2020 19:49

My daughter was born 7 pound 11 and her head was on the 95th percentil, and she looks totally fine. It must still be a bit big as her tops will still fit her body wise but I'll struggle to get them over her head but seriously she looks totally normal,

sarahc336 · 07/04/2020 19:50

Oh and her delivery was totally fine, I'm the pool with just gas and air so please don't worry about that

sunnyday1976 · 07/04/2020 19:58

My DS had a head measurement almost at the 100th centile. Due to the ventricles in his brain being slightly bigger than they should have been, I had lots of antenatal scans, and then he had a scan and consultant appointments. In the end the consultant concluded he just had a bigger than average head, which would mean he'd struggle to buy hats!! He's now nearly 6 foot tall, 13 years old and looks in proportion, he does struggle to get hats to fit though!!

Lazydaisydaydream · 07/04/2020 20:00

My son was born measuring 75th centile for height and weight and 95th for head circumference. I have a large head for my size so think he just inherited it from me! He's still got a big head now, don't think it looks out of proportion but as a previous poster said sometimes getting his t shirts over his massive head can be a struggle

I had an emergency c section but nothing to do with his head size.

mynameiscalypso · 07/04/2020 20:05

DS' head measured off the charts. He just has a big head. We were on Skype with my parents earlier and they pointed out his head was the same size as mine. He's 7 months.

Queenhoneybee · 07/04/2020 20:06

It was thought my ds1 was breech, it was actually just his big head. He was 98th centile. Delivery was difficult due to his head. I will not give you all the details but in hindsight I should have Ben offered a c section. He still has a really big head and has been in adult sized hats since he was 4 years old, but we don't worry it at all. We think he will average out over time but will always be on the large size. He took forever to sit up, walk etc as the weight of his head was too much. Nothing medically wrong, totally don't worry. But do ask about help at delivery as I wish I had raised it.

oohnicevase · 07/04/2020 20:35

If you have a noticeably big head as an adult he is probably following after you.. if he had ventricles or whatever they would have seen them and told you.

AlitheAllosaurus · 07/04/2020 20:40

I’m a midwife. Please try not to worry, the sonographer would have checked baby’s brain and if there were any issues at all they would have been picked up, discussed with you and follow up arranged. Generally the size of baby’s head doesn’t matter a huge amount for delivery it’s the shoulders that can rarely cause problems. But as you said baby’s body is average size. Try not to worry, enjoy the rest of your pregnancy as much as you can at this crazy time and good luck for the birth.

Original poster

rosemary33 · 07/04/2020 20:50

@AlitheAllosaurus the thing that’s concerning me about delivery is that the baby’s weight is already almost 7lb...and that’s at 36 weeks! Is that way above average?

OP posts:

AlitheAllosaurus · 07/04/2020 21:11

That’s a really hard question to answer as it depends on your bmi and ethnicity as it would be big for some and small for others. It depends on lots of factors but obviously if you are concerned then discuss it with your midwife as no one should approach birth being anxious.Do you have a growth chart, did they plot baby’s weight on it for you?

R2D2abc · 07/04/2020 21:40

@OP I feel for you!
At my last scan, 35+6 weeks, my baby measured 6lb 12oz, and head on >99%.
I am a bit worried as both me and my husband have small heads, my other children have small heads too.
I have gestational diabetes so I know baby being big it's a down side of it( my other baby's were relatively small). I have a scan next week and appointment with a doctor and hope I can convince them to bring my induction earlier. I'm booked anyway for an induction at 39 weeks but I'm scared this baby will tear me apart down bellow or I won't progress because his head is big so can't engage properly.

Try taking with someone that is in your care team, they should be able to reassure you and see what's best for both you and baby.

Original poster

rosemary33 · 07/04/2020 21:56

@R2D2abc has a caesarian been offered to you or just induction? And did your sonographer offer any explanation for the bigger head? I wish I'd asked more questions while I was in there now!

OP posts:

kk66 · 07/04/2020 22:00

I've had 3 big-heads! First was difficult (with hindsight because I was scared and tense - largely to do with the midwife 'predicting that he was between 11-12lb. He was 8.14. Head top of the percentile chart). 2nd I did hypnobirthing and worked hard to be relaxed. Great birth - all almost 11-lb of him. 3rd I was expecting a 12-lb plus but was completely unfazed - he was the smallest (8.10). My point is that when you're relaxed then all the right hormones can work - ones that allow the baby to move into the best position because your muscles are working smoothly - which they don't if you're scared and that allow their heads to mould (a well moulded head will mean a head on the 70th centile and one on the 90th plus will be a mere mm or 2 difference! Good luck xxxxx

R2D2abc · 08/04/2020 06:18

No explanation, no one looked at the fact he's constantly grown a big head despite his siblings being small headed.
I was offered induction because I have gestational diabetes, I actually requested it earlier otherwise they would have left me to 40 weeks.
The doctor said the worse scenario is that I won't progress in labour because of big head, but I insisted I want a natural birth at all costs.

Will try my best to talk this through in a week time when I'm 38 weeks and have a hospital appointment.

Keyboard91 · 08/04/2020 06:46

Exactly the same as you at 36 weeks - he’s my first baby. Head was 97th but everything else was around 50th. Was traumatised every time I saw a baby hat!

He is perfectly in proportion. He flew out! He’s now 3 weeks old and his head has grown (as has his body) and he’s still lovely and in proportion. I had a small tear but the midwife said it was because he flew out so fast ... oops!

He was 7lb11 at birth so my growth scans were fairly accurate (estimate 7lb4 at 36 weeks), but sonographer did say estimated weight might be more than he actually was because his head measurement.

Original poster

rosemary33 · 08/04/2020 07:46

@Keyboard91 that is good to hear, thank you!! Do you think the scan may have been inaccurate, or is it that the centiles just don’t look as out of proportion in reality as they sound on paper?

Also, when was your baby born - it sounds like he didn’t grow too much following the 36 week scan? I’m hoping the same for my baby as they’re almost 7lb now!

OP posts:

Tigger001 · 08/04/2020 08:04

I was told I was going to have a big baby. (He was born 5Ib 13 ?? So it was a bit wrong)

I'm only petite so my mum was trying to push....well, for me not to push and have a cesarian. I was advised they don't do planned cesarians now and if I got into difficulty they would intervene during the birth. I'm not sure if that was just our area though.

Keyboard91 · 08/04/2020 08:39

@rosemary33 he was born 38+2 so I think he would’ve be 8lb odd if I’d gone to 40 weeks. He’s 9lb4 now at what would be 40+6.

I would say his legs and belly probably are a little above what they thought as his belly is chunky! He was 52cm at birth but not sure if that’s long or not. Lots of people comment on inaccuracies of scans though, not an exact measurement by any means

Colouringinbook · 08/04/2020 08:45

DS was 97th centile for head - my husband and his dad also have massive heads so we know where he gets it from. Luckily he's a pretty big all over so doesn't look out of proportion, he just wears the next size up hats!

Amanduh · 08/04/2020 08:48

Just had my 36 week scan and his head is off the chart. Doesn’t fit in the centiles 🤣 I have a big head, and my last baby did/does too and was the same measurements - but not like you’d look at him and say oh he’s got a big head! Ds 1 did get stuck, he was two weeks overdue, and was a forceps delivery, which I much preferred to c sec as I didn’t want to stay in hospital really and I had a great, simple and easy recovery with no pain.
This time I’m having a sweep at 38 weeks and an induction on my due date if he hasn’t arrived. I’ll be happy to take an epidural and forceps if I have to, but hoping this time with second baby it’s an easier route through!

Original poster

rosemary33 · 09/04/2020 16:11

I've been googling more on this and am now petrified the baby could have macrocephaly, which can mean there's issues with the brain Can this be picked up on scans?!

OP posts:

HarrietM87 · 09/04/2020 16:16

My son was born at 42 weeks, 75th centile weight and 95th centile head. I had a lovely water birth. I had a second degree tear but it healed really well and no issues now. My son looks totally normal at almost 2. If they were worried about anything they would have told you. Some babies just have big heads.

Original poster

rosemary33 · 09/04/2020 16:24

How do they differentiate between a big head and macrocephaly - does anyone know? They checked the brain at the scan and said all was ok - but does it pick everything up?!

OP posts:

LuLaLaLa · 09/04/2020 16:49

I’m not going for a private scan. I don’t have any need too at the moment.

Can I just check that the Facebook group is private? Friends won’t know if I join?

LuLaLaLa · 09/04/2020 16:49

Sorry wrong thread

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