Very very large head circumference

[KMwills]

Hi all-
I’ll try and cut this long story short a month ago I had a private scan and baby boy was measuring large especially head and tummy 95th and 97Th centile. (26 weeks at this point)

Panicked and said to my midwife who fobbed me off because I wasn’t ‘measuring big’ I then went back and put my foot down so she sent me to have my GTT took 3 weeks (30 weeks) to have the appointment and 5 days to find out (31 weeks by that time) and low and behold I have GD. Fine.

I’ve then freaked myself out so much I booked another scan because I wanted to see he was okay.
He is now HUGE his head especially measuring off the scale and his weight and tummy are also very close to edge of it 97.
The lady was very helpful who did the scan and suggested I call my MW and explain that I should be having growth scans periodically now and push for a c section- she’s on leave but seeing her Tuesday. GD nurse today.

But I am completely freaked out that there is something wrong with him I’m a size 8-10 and 5ft 7 and my partner is not a big bloke... anybody else had this?!!

Bless you! If they haven’t raised a concern I wouldn’t think that meant anything was wrong? But might be good to discuss a c section if it’s the birth that’s worrying you? X

Hi, in my last pregnancy I had a growth scan at 35 weeks because I was measuring ahead. Both his tummy and head were measuring on the 97th centile and I was told to expect a 9lb plus baby. He was born naturally at 39 + 2 and he was a tiny 6lb 9oz and definitely didn't have a big head!
I'm a size 10 and 5ft 7

I’m 5’3” and my son was 10lb11oz. Ended up with an “elective” c section as I went overdue and the three attempts at induction failed. He was obviously comfy in there!

Please don't worry too much but yes push for scans and monitoring.

My 2nd was 10lb6oz and I'm only 5' and they were adamant I wasn't having a big baby. I delivers unassisted no rips or tears etc. All the subsequent babies were very large too!

Even scans have a notable error margin but your are reasonable in wanting the head circumference checked and rechecked if it's off the scale.

My DS was 8lb and pretty much 60th% for height & weight but his head was on 95th%.
The midwife did a columbo on our first visit - actually just before I go, can I measure his head?
DS was a vbac, easy in comparison to my normal headed DD who ended up as EMC - he just needed forceps so was a cone head for a bit.
He's 9 now, still got a big head but nobody does a double take. Main issue is we have to cut a little slit in the neck hole of his hoodies so he can get them on without trauma...
Long story short, don't worry.

Thank you all so much!!!! Met with the diabetic nurse/MW today and she’s got me booked in for a growth scan with my hospital just to make 100% sure he’s all alright in there and he’s growing up his own little chubber chart by the looks of it hah!! Xx

Our 3rds head was 37.7cm at birth, tore me from V2A. Only 3 pushes to get her out though and once she was crowning the pain of labor just seemed to stop (so weird).

You'll be fine, your body is capable of amazing things.

Growth scans can be wildly inaccurate, usually predicting a far larger birth weight than what the baby is.
If it makes you feel any better, I had an 11lber with a head circumference on the 99th centile and it was actually fine. Water birth, gas and air. I did tear but I also did with my firstborn who was 8lb 8oz. All the best Op

My first had a head on 91st centile and my second had a small head and was under 5lbs. Second hurt way more than first when crowning.

What's your fluid level like? DS measured big, came 35 weeks at 5lb 6 so not tiny but not as big as they thought. However I had which fluid to fill a pool. It Def throws the measurements out

My baby was born with a 98th centile head. (Planned c-section thankfully 🤣)
He had to have a scan to check at about 6 weeks. All fine. Just brains!
Someone has to be at the top of the scale. He’s just a big lad.
Try not to worry.

DD has always had a huge head. She wore adult sunhats from about age 3.

Room for more brains, I say.

Mine had giant heads, both almost 9lbs & measured big. I'm 5ft 10 (slim build, was 7lbs) but DH is 6ft 3, big build with massive head & was closer to 11lbs so I guess it was a mixture!

Having said that I know friends much shorter than me who had bigger babies so who knows!

My DD has an enormous head. I went for a scan at 38 weeks and the consultant booked me in for the next available induction slot.

Her head got stuck in my pelvis and I couldn’t get past 9 cm and I had to have a c section at 39 weeks. She was 9 lb. I had to go back a month later so they could check her head wasn’t growing out of control They’re happy enough with her because she’s huge all over. 9 months and in size 18-24 months now.

Definitely push for more growth scans and try to keep an open mind about c sections if you can. I found the recovery absolutely fine.

All my husband's family have giant heads at birth. Dc1 was on the 19th percentile for weight and the 97th for head size. Dc2 was better proportioned. Both are absolutely fine and now at 6 and nearly 3 their heads are in proportion to the rest of them /seem fine when compared to their peers.

Both were emergency sections though. Dc1 never got below mid pelvis even at full dilation and couldn't be pushed or pulled out.

I know I am retired and probably out of date, but I think you should have a consultation with your obstetrician for complete review and a plan for monitoring and delivery. I think it is better to get an expert overview at an early stage so that you feel reassured and confident going forward and also that you can be seen again at 36 weeks by the obstetrician to make sure the plan doesn't need to change.

Thank you every one!!! It seems I’m not the only one!
@Endofthelinefinally I’ve got a scan with my hospital next week for them to review it and I’m assuming come up with a plan etc, the diabetes nurse seemed to think that he’ll be a section and I could request it should I feel it’s necessary!

There wasn’t any excess fluid in his head or around him? So maybe just a big noggin (time for some hats hahaha)
Xx

I'd advise measuring your head and the father's head.

DH and I both have large heads - my DM recalls that as a child she had to adjust knitting patterns for the neck (to allow my head through) on my jumpers and DH is a pain to get (military) hats for.

DS1 was estimated to be 11lb plus at 38w. He was born by CS at 42w. Under 8lb but 99th centile for head circ.

DS2 was supposed to have a normal head and weight. He was 10lb 10 at 40+3 with a 99th centile head (for weight!!!). VBAC. If I'd known I'd have had a second CS. There was some damage and birth trauma for DS2.

If your heads are big, everything is probably fine, but do consider the type of birth you want.

Oh & I had no problem delivering one vaginally but the 2nd was an elective CS due to position. Found CS harder tbh.

@wondarah my head is on the large side see below hahahaha and was when I was little- only reason it didn’t show up at birth was because I was 3 weeks early and these sorts of scans not done 29 years ago- so I think he’s just in for a bigger head! Xx

ha ha, yes my DHs head is massive, never found a hat in the wild that would fit on his head, I expect it's a made to measure situation! But like you as a baby it looks normal 😆

That’s an adorable photo

DDs head was 90th centile. First born, natural birth, no tear.

I can't remember his stats but DS is a big boy - he's 2 now but was born 10lb3 with a big head. I was glad of the ELCS!

I'm 5ft 2 and partner is 5ft 9. Tall grandads we think!