Large for gestational age - help!

[Carabu1]

Hello ladies! I’m nearly 32 weeks, and have just had a growth scan which shows baby has grown a huge amount since last scan 2 weeks ago - that one was normal/average, and now it’s up on 98th percentile. I’m short, petite, and have gained within recommended limits of weight, have exercised daily, and a blood test shows I don’t have gestational diabetes. I’m so confused why baby is suddenly so huge, what’s wrong, and very scared I’m going to have to have an induction which I really don’t want. Does anyone have any words of wisdom - should I accept an induction, would an elective c section be better, and why is baby suddenly enormous?! Help!

(I have obviously asked my care providers this, but got very vague answers. They are keen on a potential induction...I am not!)

Hi, I have gestational diabetes and kind of expected baby to be on the big side but I’m only 31 weeks and so far she is average. What rough weight have they given baby? I’m the same as in I really don’t want a section or to be induced if I can help it, but like you say they are keen to always just choose induction

Currently 4lb 11oz....I think if I had gd I’d weirdly feel a bit better about it, as at least that would explain the size, but I have found all the info online so unhelpful as it all assumes big baby = big person, high bmi, gd etc and I haven’t got any of those...! I think I would actually rather have a section and get it over with than an induction....but hoping some others may had advice to share. Fingers crossed your little one stays little :)

I guess sometimes it might be hereditary. My sister is a size 10/12 and both her babies were 9lbs plus. I hear so many induction horror stories so don’t blame you in maybe wanting a section. Hope it goes well for you and this bumps your post a bit

You need three growth scans all telling you baby is big before you can know with any degree of reliability. Scans can be inaccurate by about 10% which is massive when dealing with such small humans! You absolutely don’t have to have an induction if you don’t want one, large babies are no more difficult to birth than small ones (almost half of all babies who do suffer with shoulder dystocia are ‘normal’ sized). Was it the same person who scanned you both times? That can make a massive difference too to the accuracy of the scans. There’s loads of good research on this (the accuracy of growth scans generally) if you have a google!

I remember my growth scans in my first pregnancy estimating my baby to be large by the same sonographer and every consultant bar one. I also had gestational diabetes so it was assumed baby would every big. My last scan was about 36 weeks, estimated 7lbs + so induction which had been given as my only option since diagnosis was booked. Waters went next day & I went into spontaneous labour the day after. Baby arrived weighing a whopping 5lbs. Scans were out.

You don’t have to have an induction, read up on your NICE guidelines around birth and choices, do your research and make a decision on what you want, your happy with and best for both of you. Scans can be inaccurate, but big baby also doesn’t immediately mean induction or section either. For the medical people it’s all about managing risk, which doesn’t necessarily take into account your wants, feelings, situation etc.

Well, keep an eye on it with later scans, but don't worry. It's really a good sign if your placenta is nourishing your baby so well! Much worse to be in the bottom 2%. I'm thin (BMI about 19 pre-pregnancy) and didn't have gestational diabetes, or gain a huge amount, but mine were 9 1/2 lbs and 9lbs 12. I did end up having to have a c-section with the first and then wasn't allowed to go past my due date with a VBAC for the second (I was also old). But I know other women of my size and build who have managed to have babies of that size naturally without too many problems. The most important thing is that your baby is healthy and growing well. They won't induce you or suggest a c-section, I don't think. (Possibly if the baby leaps up to an ever higher percentile, according to scans.)

I think wait and see what the next scan shows. I was coerced into an induction that I didn't want (and yes coerced, told I should know better than to refuse as I'm a HCP and that there would be a risk that my baby would die without induction), and she came out at 8lb - smaller than either my siblings or my cousins when they were born - we apparently make big babies in my family.

If you agree to an induction, which you may well do, I would have a frank conversation with the obstetric team about what point they will stop and agree to a c-section - my induction lasted more than 5 days, ended in a c-section and my recovery took much much much longer than my elective c-section with my second. I wish had felt able to be more assertive, but when you have experts telling you that you need to continue, it's really difficult.

There are of course other very successful induction stories, i was not dilated at all, baby was not engaged, and so success was unlikely. Equally, if an induction starts when your cervix is ready, it may not take long and be a successful vaginal birth.

I would read up on the nice guidelines for induction / c-section and make sure your birth partner is clear on your wishes and able to fight your corner if needs be.

Also, inductions can be more painful than natural labour, so make sure you are clear on your pain relief options (and use them!)

My niece was told she was having a big baby and she is a petit size 10. Her DH is tall. She was not induced and went overdue. She begged for an induction or section but was told no be side of Covid. Baby 10 lb and 5 Oz and she had dreadful labour and after baby was part way out doctor decided baby was stuck and so after 20 hours of labour she had to.havr emergency section in the end and her DH was.not allowed to stay with.her after taking her to hospital door he got sent away. If baby is still large for dates further into pregnancy and you are offered any form of early delivery be it induction or planned section grab it gratefully. I hope your DH will be with. You when you have your baby.

I was told dd would be 8lbs roughly. She was 11lb 4oz and was a couple weeks early.

Growth scans are not accurate. Growth scans were way off with my son.

I am in this position.
Baby has measured big in the 4 growth scans I've had.
Last measured 7lbs and 14ozs at 36+ 2
I was offered either induction or elective c-section by first consultant. Second one did say she'd recommend early induction.
I've decided to go for an early induction. This could be next week at 37 weeks or week after at 38 weeks.
I know scans are not always accurate, but also not willing to put myself or baby at risk

I could have written this too OP. I have another scan today (36 weeks) and hoping for some clarification.

Thank you so much for all these replies - feeling a bit better about it knowing I'm not alone! @hopsalong I'm a bit like you by the sounds of it - I was actually a bit underweight when I got pregnant, and am generally short and small all over...so this was not an issue I was anticipating at all...! I don't have any close relatives with babies (apart from my Mum I guess?!) so don't know if it's "normal" for my family or not.

I think part of what stresses me out about induction is atm DH couldn't be there until established labour - because of Covid - whereas he would be allowed in for all of a c section, so at least I'd have some support and someone to fight my corner. If he could come into an induction I'd be much less worried about it. Tbh I'm furious those are the rules; but they're not going to change, so not much point focusing on that.

Sounds like I'd better wait for next scan at 34 weeks and hope for a miracle/that sonographer got a bit carried away. My midwife has been going on about how small she thinks baby will be when doing her examinations, so there doesn't seem to be much consensus....!

@BonnieBleu and @peachypetite I hope your scans and induction go well. Let me know how you get on :)

Your mum is your closest relative, how big were you and any siblings?

Just adds an extra bit of info to the picture, don’t rely on it too much.

32 weeks my lo was measuring 4 weeks ahead by the time he got to 38weeks he was measuring bang on 38weeks sometimes they have a growth spurt and then growth slows to normal. He was born at 41+1 and 8lb 7oz

@GreyishDays as far as I know pretty average. I don’t want to ask her though, because with Covid and everything she’s already worried about me and I don’t want to make it worse.

@nicciw87 fingers crossed! I was proper knock out exhausted for a week or so and am feeling better now, so maybe it was a growth spurt.

I’m just so impatient and anxious - all I can do is wait and see and I hate it, ha.

I had GD and from my time in a helpful Facebook group I believe the blood test is mot very reliable. I think it maybe shows how things have been over the last 3 months but hormones fluctuate so much over pregnancy. The GTT (the sugary drink) test is so much more reliable as it looks at how your body tolerates glucose right now. If you do have GD there is time to make changes to help the baby. I would suggest asking for the GTT.

@pjani that’s interesting. I did ask for this, but have been told my trust won’t do it unless your blood tests indicate it...maybe I need to call back and be a bit pushier?!

@Carabu1 I’ve been told I’m too far along for the oral test for GD so had the fructosamine blood test but it doesn’t seem that reliable?

@Carabu1 yes worth a try! Have a look at the NICE guidelines for GD. If the GTT is recommended in a case like yours that would be helpful to take along with you.

Growth scans are well known to be very inaccurate so I wouldn't panic!
I have had so many friends being told they have big babies it's going to be an issue etc etc some went for induction others didn't none were above 8lb. Me on the other hand measured average all the way and had a 9lb 57cm baby! 😂
Yes follow the investigation of GD but I wouldn't stress too much. My friend also found that the minute she turned around and said fine I will take a planned c section but not induction suddenly it turned to oh we will keep monitoring you.....

@peachypetite they are currently saying they won't do GTT because of Covid. I'm pretty unhappy, and currently ringing round trying to find somewhere to get one privately...but it may be it's too late for me too. So stressful. How was your scan? I've just downloaded a GD diet, and think I'm going to try and follow it in the meantime on account it cant do any harm?!

I had a growth scan at 32 weeks and they said baby was too small. I dropped from the 50th to below 3rd centile. Two weeks later at 34 weeks they said baby was measuring on the 50th again and put it down to difficulty in scanning as baby was far down in my pelvis.
I have another booked for next week (will be 38 weeks) and am not really worried anymore because I realised just how inaccurate scans can be.
It's actually a common misconception that those with a high bmi are the ones who get gestational diabetes. There are lots of low and in 'normal' range mums who end up with it too unfortunately.

I think you shouldn't worry too much but wait for your next scan. Hopefully everything will come back as normal!

Catabu I heard on TV tonight those rapid Covid test 15 mins could be used do partners can share birthing experience. You might get your partner after all. Ask you our midwife ahead of birth do she can get one in for you.

@caringcarer that would be so amazing. Thanks for letting me know! I’ll def ask...