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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

big baby 36 weeks pregnant

8 replies

charlotteCB1 · 20/08/2021 19:33

So I am having serial scans as I am a high risk pregnancy due to my BMI and this being my first pregnancy. I went for my 36 week scan today and it’s showing I have a large baby. His abdomen and head circumference are both on the 98th percentile and they are estimating him to weigh 3.8kg(8lbs 6oz) I have had two glucose tolerance tests done both of which came back normal but I can’t sit here without thinking it’s something I’ve done to make him bigger than he should be. My consultant was talking about inducing me at 38 weeks or performing a c-section which ever I prefer. I’m just slightly overwhelmed by this so just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience

OP posts:
annlee3817 · 20/08/2021 19:52

Growth scans can at times be very inaccurate, I'm not saying don't follow advice to deliver earlier or anything like that, just that please don't blame yourself. My best friend was told she was having a 10.5lber, she was a week over when she had her little boy and he weighed 8lbs when he was born. My other friend was predicted to be having an 8.5lb baby and hers was 10lb 3. On the other side of this, the scan I had on my due date was spot on weight wise at 7.7lbs, she arrived five days later at 7.10lbs.

Nichola2310 · 20/08/2021 20:03

My first babies head always measured on the 99th percentile, and I'm pregnant now with my second, and they're head size is measuring 3 weeks ahead.

I know it's slightly different as mine only measured big on head size but there's nothing I could have done about that, it's just the way they were made!

Try not to worry.

Namenic · 20/08/2021 20:41

I don’t have personal experience of this situation; but it might be good to approach it with the aim for safe delivery - which both options would give (I’m guessing that the obstetrics consultant thinks that these 2 options have greater chance of safe delivery for mum and baby than waiting for spontaneous Labour).

Have a chat with the consultant about the risks and benefits of the different options. Your midwife might also be able to talk to you too and point you to reading material if you need support. The good thing is that you can be prepared (mentally and practically) and monitored to give you the safest care.

MrsB2019x · 20/08/2021 23:23

I was the same, had a growth scan at 37 weeks and was estimated to be 7lb13oz, they booked me in to be induced at 38+5 as I had excessive fluid as well, but because they were so busy I didn’t end up being admitted until 39+2. The induction ended up with an emergency section as I couldn’t progress her down the birth canal due to her size (she was 9lb7oz when born at 39+3). I’m glad I gave natural birth a go but I think next time I’d opt for an ELCS if it seems I’m having another big baby!

Best of luck whatever you decide to do Flowers

Bumply · 20/08/2021 23:51

Ds1 was 8lb 10, born at 38 weeks.
Don't remember them making an issue of his size. I was tested for GD but no signs.
DS2 was even larger, but I ended up going to 41 weeks before being induced and that was because of high blood pressure.
The doctors were convinced I'd need a c section, but midwives just told them to go away and leave me to it and I ended up with normal delivery - all 10lb 7 of him.

Chelyanne · 21/08/2021 10:37

Try not to worry too much, big babies are not always hard to birth.
Yes, had our younger 5 all measure top of charts on growth scans, they've been pretty accurate but they do say they can be up to 25% out either way.
I have big babies... no diabetes, I just grow them big. Our eldest was an average size (7lb 7oz). Was fine having unassisted vaginal births with 1st 2 big ones (10lb 12oz & 9lb 10oz), had elcs with big twins as breech (8lb 5oz & 8lb 11oz). Most recent was our biggest 10lb 15oz/4.96kg born at 38+6wk. I had been booked for an elcs in the afternoon at 39wk but went in to labour early hours the day before, started to get scar rupture and had semi-elective cesarean late at night. I was quite unwell after birth, 12 days pp now and much better.

Good luck with the birth.

MissM2912 · 21/08/2021 10:47

Scans are often wrong. I would speak to another consultant. The cascade of intervention is much higher if induced and there is no evidence that outcomes for big babies are any different with induction but the outcomes for mums are worse.

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