Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

What causes a big baby?

43 replies

Kayzr · 30/12/2009 07:47

We are planning to TTC #3 next year and I am just looking into the causes of big babies.

DS2 was 10lb 5oz and there were no indications that he was going to be so large. I never measured large for dates, no gestastional diabetes and the MW estimated he would be about 8lbs.

I just want to know what can cause some babies to be so large. I have had a look and a few places say that large weight gain during pregnancy can cause large babies. I am quite overweight but I put on just over a stone with DS2 and lost it all as soon as he was born due to his size.

Could the fact that I am overweight be the cause? The MW doesn't think it is to do with that and that it was just a one off.

Don't fancy another huge baby

Thanks.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

norfolkBRONZEturkey · 30/12/2009 10:14

not always the case but it does seem that tall women tend to have bigger babies

HappyBump · 30/12/2009 10:26

I think it's genetics.

My first DS was 6lb 2oz, induced 2 days overdue, he was healthy but apparently relatively small considering our genetics (I'm 5ft 7 and DH 6ft 2). DS was born on 25 centile and by 6 months was 90+ centile (exclusively breast fed) and still continues to grow and grow.

This time round my doctor has me on baby aspirin until 36 weeks to help the blood flow from the placenta (also had recurrent mc), but just had a scan and baby is measuring only a little bit more that my first DS.

It seems we make smaller babies that fingers crossed thrive once they arrive!

HappyBump · 30/12/2009 10:28

I think I just contradicted myself...

I said think it's genetics and then said we should have big babies because of our genetics ... but then went on to say we have small babies oh dear, am confused now ... ... I put it down to pregnancy hormones

picc · 30/12/2009 10:41

Same as you HappyBump. DS was on the 9th centile in the first few weeks, I think.

But then he just started crossing the centiles diagonally.....

He's big now! (at 10 months)

maybe some babies just catch up later

LeoniedElf · 30/12/2009 11:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LeoniedElf · 30/12/2009 11:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

coffeeaddict · 30/12/2009 12:12

I weighed only 4lb at term, 'failure to thrive' - my siblings too.

My first DS 8lb 4

Second DS 9lb 14.

I have a theory that I must have had some sort of GD with him. Nothing was picked up but I was massive and loads of amniotic fluid too.

Third DS 8lb 12

midori1999 · 30/12/2009 18:47

I was 4lb 4 oz at birth.

DS1 -delirvered at term, 9lb

DS2 - two weeks early, 10lb exactly.

DS3 -born three weeks early, was 6lb 14, although he has Downs, and that is a pretty big baby for one that early and with Downs.

Was tested for GD in my second pregnancy, as I had to have a scan every 4 weeks, and they could see the size of baby. I didn't have GD.

Personally, I loved having big babies, and hope the one I am currently carrying is a whopper!

rozzyraspberry · 30/12/2009 21:45

I can understand your curiosity - my ds1 was a tiny 6lbs4 and ds2 was 9lbs 3 - not as big as your second but a similar weight difference between ds1 and ds2. I have always wondered what caused their weights to be so different. Always blamed it on my lucozade cravings during 2nd pregnancy

We went on to have a 3rd ds - he was 8lbs 3 so it doesn't always follow that each baby is bigger than the last. His labour was a breeze!

SleighGirl · 30/12/2009 21:52

I think it's largely genetics if no medical reason.

My Mum is 4'10, her eldest weighed nearly 9lbs.

I'm 5' My first 7lb 6oz, then with a different dad my 2nd was 10lb 6oz (a completel surprised though I looked huge didn't measure big) - again she was and is very tall she was 6 months old before her height hit the centile charts.

My last 2 were a bit smaller and are not so tall.

So genetics, I'm capable of nurturing large babies, and dh is capable of making them he is only 6'3" but reached full height at 14!

Original poster

Kayzr · 30/12/2009 22:02

Rozzy, I had a lucozade craving too. It was the only thing that stopped me feeling sick. Must not drink it while pregnant.

OP posts:

bojangles · 30/12/2009 22:12

My third baby was HUUUGE - delivered at 34 weeks by emergency c section and weighed an embarrassing 9lb 6oz......!!!!!!

Caused by diabetes going a bit mad during the 2nd and 3rd trimester.

PacificMistletoeandnoWine · 30/12/2009 22:20

Kayzr, I've just come back to this, so let me get this right:
your HV who presumable will not be delivering any future child of yours has a problem with you considering another HB after you have successfully delivered a larger baby at home?? In the words of Manuel of Fawlty Towers: Que? Or WTF?

In all seriousness, can you discuss this with the MW who looked after you the last time? Or consultant?

Also, remember, weight of baby not half as important as size of head ...

I do not think you need to go on Lucozade-free diet !

Original poster

Kayzr · 30/12/2009 22:40

MW is very happy for me to have another homebirth. I saw her a few weeks ago and she asked if we were planning anymore.

I have to see a consultant and he is very against homebirths as it means I can't have an epidural or a cs. He said that when I told him I was having a homebirth.

My HV is very against HBs. She was giving out information about why it is better to be in hospital at the clinic a while ago to some mums expecting 2nd, 3rd babies etc.

OP posts:

PacificMistletoeandnoWine · 30/12/2009 22:50

I just do not understand what it has to do with your HV??
Consultant at least has to make sure you do not sue him so has vested interest. And his own prejudices .

I am all for information being made available as long as it is factual, and people are then left to make their own decisions. Personally, I am far too big a chicken to contemplate a HB, inspite of my perfectly reasonable sized previous babies (on 50th centile all 3 of them).

Just keep in touch with MW and ignore everybody else .

Original poster

Kayzr · 31/12/2009 06:08

I thought that with DS1. I just couldn't understand why people wanted to be at home. But now I would never go to hospital again unless there was really no other choice.

DS2 has his jabs next week so I might just practice saying "it if for my DH, my MW and me to decide when I fall pg" over and over again.

OP posts:

sweetkitty · 31/12/2009 07:27

hey kayzr go for it thirds are fab

DD1 was 6lbs 3ozs, DD2 9lbs 3ozs so not huge but the difference between them was astounding, DD2 was incubated 4 weeks longer though which helped her pile on the weight I am sure.

MW still oohing and aahing about another HB for me, I think they try to find anything they can to put you off, this time it's increased risk of PPH with it being my 4th baby.

EdgarAleNPie · 31/12/2009 11:58

funnily enough my first MW said the same bout HB - 'you won't be able to have an epidural'

as though it was matter of course that i would want one....
my answer was 'that's fine.'

two HBs later, and i still don't want one....

Flip

1 2