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?!!

@KMwills are you carrying much amniotic fluid? It can throw measurements out. I mentioned fluids above, that's what I meant. I was HUGE with DS and it Def threw out how big we thought he'd be.
Ironically no one was as worried about the size of my twins who were nearly 8lb each at 36 weeks and now 97th percentile on it all at 14 months

Yes! I had this and when he was born we had to measure his head every 2 days. It was just getting to the point when they were talking about scans and hydrocephalus when his head stopped growing.

He’s completely fine. He just has a massive bonce

He’s now 8 and I have to buy him adult size hats. He doesn’t look out of proportion though.

I was told my dd had a large head which panicked me and the doc said ‘no problem other than buying hats’’

Anyway I tried for natural birth and after I got to 7cm and baby got fed up we had a c section. She was 10.9. I wish I’d pushed for elective but they were a bit anti it due to cost I think.

She’s absolutely fine now by the way and is fine for hats!!

Her good size meant she slept and ate well so once out was a dream baby so I hope you get that positive too

@Ihaventgottimeforthis

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.

@Ihaventgottimeforthis both of mine have issues with goodies and tops. Take after their dad with huge heads. My 3 Yr old head circumference is the same as my 6yr olds.

I’m just over 37 weeks and growth has gone off the scale, being induced in 3 days and have been told he was already 10lbs on a scan a week ago.. I’ll let you know the outcome

Again I voiced my concerns from weeks and weeks ago but apparently it’s nothing to worry about

My son's head was off the top of the chart at 20 week scan. Nobody seemed that worried but they booked me in for a growth scan at 36 weeks. I was terrified so I booked a private scan at around 30 weeks and his head was around the 95th percentile I think.

He was born at 36 weeks - just before the NHS growth scan. I'm convinced that he was early so he could fit through my pelvis.

He's 15 now and he does have a big head!

Honestly thank you all so much it’s made me feel so much better @BabyElephant2 good luck darling!!! And enjoy your new little one! 💛

Good luck! xx

Please also remember that 97th is at the top end of the absolutely completely normal range. Nothing abnormal.

Good news you've got the scans but don't worry. I had GD. DS had a HC on the 97th, femur off the scale and was born weighing 3.5kg, bang on the 50th.

The scans are invaluable, but not necessarily accurate.

I had GD. 5ft nothing and they said I had a massive 10lb + baby with a huge head.
She was 7lb 6oz.

Oh and her head was completely normal!

@Ihaventgottimeforthis

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.

My DS is exactly the same. 50th centile all over, giant noggin 95th centile. Was 7lb15 at 42 weeks.

Totally natural birth. Second degree tear that healed super quickly.

My DD was 9lb with a 98th percentile head circumference. I had a natural delivery with entonox and morphine. Had a small 2nd degree tear which healed without complications.

The labour was very painful, but it's certainly not impossible and booking in for a c section seems a bit hasty.

Probably best not have a home birth or use a stand alone midwifery led unit incase things don't progress. My midwife (who was very pro home birth and low intervention) told me that if I went overdue to take the first offer of induction (but DD was 2 days early so that wasn't an issue) but beyond that there are many many factors that play a part in what type of delivery you end up having that you just need to go with the flow and be adaptable.