Do bigger babies come early (is it because the dates were always a bit off from the first scan)

[JKD1982]

Hello

First timer here and a bit worried. My boy is 33 weeks today and I’m booked for a c section at 39 weeks as standard practise for times. But he is measuring 97th percentile and has tracked big all along.

Does that mean he could come early? Could I randomly go into labour any time? If so do they just then do a c section when I get to hospital? I haven’t read any books about contractions or when to go in etc?

I’ve always thought they got the dates a bit wrong from the 12 weeks scan. Sorry to panic just concerned I am not prepared at all

Thanks for any advice x

I don’t know if bigger baby = increased chance of early labour. I’ve only had twins, and was told if I went into labour to get to the hospital ASAP and they’d do a section when I got there.

The scans can be up to 15% off especially in later stages, so he might not be as big when you deliver as they think he could be!

I don't think it makes any difference from my experience

Thank you! It suddenly hit me I could just go into labour and didn’t have a clue what to do. Been so focused on the pregnancy just didn’t get my head around this part

No difference really. Mine were both big and late. Prob more to do with position in womb and genetics I'd think.

I hadn’t heard this theory. However, DS1 came at 39+6 and was 10lb 3oz. DS2 came at 40+4 after induction was only 8lb 8oz.

However I think there were a billion other factors at play and I don’t think scans are very accurate at predicting weight so I wouldn’t pay too much attention!

No big doesnt mean early, my 7lb 10oz first born was a week early, 9lb1oz second was 10 days late and 10lb 6oz third was 5 days late but induced so potentially would have been later. If you go into labour before your section date just stay calm and call the hospital, they will tell you what to do. If youre really worried just ask your midwife now what the plan would be.

Labour starts off feeling like period pain. You time it to see how long it is and how regularly then you would call the hospital for advice. Unless your water broke then you'd call them straight away.

Obviously the later they are, the more time they have to gain weight before birth. But I don't think it really makes a difference.

FWIW
1st 12 days late 7lb 10oz
2nd 10 days late 7lb 5oz
3rd 13 days late. 10lb 5oz

So all similar gestations but 3rd much bigger than 1st two.

Mine is measuring on the 97th and am currently 40+3 days so no and my 1st who followed the 95th was born on due date so I would say no big babies don't come early xx

My very, VERY big baby (11lb 9oz!) came a bit early at 38+6. ELCS was booked for 39+1 and despite it being my second I wasn’t really ready for spontaneous labour. We called the labour ward as usual and they told us to come in, and I was prepared for surgery and he was born by caesarean.

Can't speak for myself as I was induced early with my measuring 90+ centile baby for medical reasons. But my sister's 9lb 10oz baby hung in there for the full 42 weeks, until he was served his eviction notice via induction.

Sadly no!

dc 1 - biorn at 42+3 10lbs and 01 oz
dc 2 - born at 38+3 8lbs and 7 oz
dc 3 - born at 41+6 10lbs and 7oz.

So, no!

my dates were very acurate due to dh travelling!

I’m another who had twins. DS was on the 98th centile from 24 weeks and at birth (9lb 2). I had a section at 37w6 because of their size, but DS was showing no signs of shifting at all by that point. He was in position for being born first,

I’d echo about the scans not necessarily being accurate- I was told the twins were the same size roughly, DD was over 2lb lighter than they thought.

My ds2 was on 91st percentile on the growth scans and I was petrified about going into labour early as I also had a elcs booked 39 weeks plus 3. Needless to say I hung on and didn't go into labour - however any twinge I had I was on high alert as I also thought there was no way I could last until 39 weeks!

I've heard bigger babies can find it harder to engage therefore labour hormones aren't triggered resulting in them actually staying put for longer.

My first was average the next three very big huge they all had to be forced out with induction.

My 10lb 6oz one I was 42 +3 and it still took being induced 😭

Wasn't true for my cousins baby, he was nearly 11 lbs, big throughout the pregnancy and she had to be induced because he was late

DC1 was a week late (nearly 11lb)

DC2 was ELCS a fortnight early (nearly 11lb - thank God I didn't let that one go to full term...)

10lb 2oz for first and 12lbs 9oz for second both born around 42 weeks so for me they didn't come early.
Expecting a third and over the 95th percentile already so another bruiser. I'll be having an induction this time as I doubt baby will come any earlier than 40 weeks.

Thank you so much for all the info. Really appreciate it