Any way to avoid baby getting massive in last few weeks?

[Gggggggggq]

1st DC was 9lb 5oz - 2 days esrly

had a growth scan at 34w (I’m nearly 35) and baby was plotting roughly at 5.6lb

as a safety net I’ve got an ELCS booked at 39 weeks but I could go into labour before this

im nervous the baby will grow so rapidly and then I’ll go into labour and have a bad birth because the baby will grow rapidly

i watch what I eat and I’m very active with DC1 my toddler !!

how much will baby grow from 34-39 weeks approx?

just nervous that I’ll go into labour

Try not to worry too much, OP! I was told both my DCs were giant Babies, absolutely huge supposedly.. convinced to have Elective Sections with twice due to growth scans.. they were both under 8lbs 🤷‍♀️

@pinklemonata I think it’s because I know last time at 2 days early DS was 9lb 5oz so that is big

and all everyone says is “they get bigger” etc!

I was hoping the growth scan would say bit below the centilenim on just so we had wiggle room, very nervous if you can’t tell😅

They don't necessarily get bigger. My first was 9lb 4, second 8lbs, third 8lb 11. I didn't do anything differently so I have no idea why they all varied in size. Also, try not to panic if growth scans predict a big baby, with my second they were worried that he would be small, they tried to insist on an induction with my third as they predicted that he would be over 10lbs.

Did your baby's size cause any problems first time around?

Winter babies tend to be heavier, which isn’t the same as bigger. Bigger is larger head circumference and wider shoulder width. A winter born baby naturally will lay down more fat and be a chubbier newborn as part of survival compared to a skinnier but just as big summer baby.

Try not to worry.

Growth scans are useful but not super accurate. I had one at 39 weeks and they said baby was about 6.5lb but there was a 30% error margin! I said I could have told you baby was between 4 and 8lb without doing a scan!

Bigger baby doesn't necessarily mean harden labour. Lots of my friends with the most straightforward birth stories are those with 8 or 9lb babies. Actually anecdotally the smaller ones seem to have been more complicated.

Please don't try and do anything different to stop your baby growing. You've got this.

Cut down sugar

Mine were big and the second was huge, but that didn't make the birth more difficult or cause more damage. Their weight isn't the important factor.

My first was 9lb at 40 weeks and I was worried about my second, went to 41+2 and she was born weighing 7lb 10oz with no tearing or issues. I'm glad I trusted my instinct that baby wasnt huge and wasn't talked into induction earlier.

Last time round I had an ELCS too because I was so scared at the thought of a vaginal birth with a larger baby and I thought when they told me DS weight “thank goodness”

I have a weird guilt for choosing ELCS and being scared and thought I’d try and face my fear and have a vaginal birth this time but I’m scared she’ll be the same size if not bigger, c section is 39 weeks and the earliest they can induce I think is 37?

but a side note for me is, there’d be oz’s, maybe a lb difference at max? If I got induced 2 weeks earlier than the c section so she could still be big

and DS’ birthday is the day before I hit 37 week mark, so for the sake of a few ounces I’d rather their birthdays not be days apart if that makes sense! Through choice. I may go into labour spontaneously which is scaring me a lot

My three did get bigger each time,
8lb4, 10lb3 and 11lb8...

The middle one was a tricky birth but that was because she was back to back all the way out. The third one, who was truly enormous was a really easy birth because she was on a good position.

Best thing you can do is spend as much time as possible on all fours/draped over a birth ball. Don't slouch on the sofa much - the baby's spine is the heaviest bit and you want to get gravity doing its thing and get that spine facing outwards.

My third baby was over 10lb and the quickest and easiest so try not to worry.

Don't feel guilty because you chose an ELCS- if that was right for you at the time then that's great. It sounds like it's right for you this time too, if you do go into labour before your c section date, go to the hospital as soon as you start contracting and they'll take you down to theatre for an EMCS- should still be nice and calm like an ELCS but as it's not planned as such it's classed as an emergency.

They will priotise you over any electives booked on the day, but obviously any patients where there are concerns for maternal or foetal wellbeing will take priority for theatre over yourself. I work in obstetric theatres and have seen only a couple of ladies booked for electives that spontaneously labour end up having vaginal births- this was because they arrived fully dilated and pushing!

Best wishes for your birth x

My first was over 10lb , booked a ELCS for the second , also scanned big and she was only 7 lb something .

My Sister is a size 4, 5'2 and gave birth naturally to an 11.2lb baby.

My first was 8lb8oz and second a tiny 6oz. They don't always get bigger second time round so try not to worry