How big is a 98th centile baby at term?

[ForcesSweetheart]

Does anyone know? I'm 35wks tomorrow and at growth scan today they said she's 98th centile across the board, both head circ and abdominal. Just wondering what kind of size a 98th centile baby is at term? I'm having a CS at 38wks at the latest so don't worry about scaring me

I wouldn't worry especially, I had a baby who was on that centile at ultrasound, and a midwife telling me I should consider a c section if they think the baby will be that big. I agreed to be induced on my due date (well it was the start of half term and DH is a teacher!) DS2 was 8lb 11oz, so largeish but not scarily so!(45 min labour too natch!)

When I was having DS3 I was due exactly the same time as another woman in our village (so same health care team). She had a c section as they said the baby would be large, my baby as born vaginaly four days later at 9lb 10oz, hers was 8lb 6!

The thing to remember is that ultrasound can be more of an art than a science and can be 10% out either way. I would go with the health proffesionals, as they know what is safest for your body and whether you've had children before. Just don't buy too many newborn size babygrows, I had to bring DS3 home with his legs uncovered as I couldn't get his legs into the babygrow!

DS1 was 10lb 1oz which is just shy of 98th centile.

Thanks folks, as I say - not worried about birth as I'm having my CS at 38wks at latest (for various other reasons - I'm diabetic, baby's breech, had previous emergency CS etc) just curious and wondering if I should exchange some newborn clothes!

According to dd2's red book the 98th centile at birth looks like 4.4kg which is about 9lb 11oz.

That same graph shows a 38 week baby on 98th centile to be about 3.8kg which is about 8lb 6oz.

Ds was only 75th centile for weight and 8lb11oz but his head was 99.6 centile thingy at 38cm (I think). He is 2 now and wears hats for a teenager (but doesnt look odd honest!)

Oops he is 3 now

I had GD in all pgs except my last when i was already a type 2 diabetic and, by the time i got to 34 weeks i was on the 98th centile, DS was born by ELCS at 38 weeks and was 8lbs 11ozs so not mahoosive but not tiny for an early baby either.

Depends if boy or girl.

My DD was 98th centile at 9 pounds 11.

Sorry, just seen she's a girl.

My dd was born at 40+13 at 10 lb 1oz. I think she was on 98th centile IIRC.

(she came out the sunroof ...eventually!)

Hope all goes well for you.

DS2 was on 98th centile. Born by elective CS at 39 weeks. He weighed 10lbs 10oz. Not so enormous head wise - but he was very long. He's still on same centile but all in proportion. He has a tall dad.

My DD was 10lb 10 and on the 95th centile when born, the consultant said on my pre birth examination she was no more than 7lb and I proved em all wrong!!

HI,
My daughter born 27/1 was 10lbs 14oz and 59 cm long (!). If both weight and length are in proportion the baby looks just like a one month old!

Good news though: I was told taht bigger babies sleep easier etc. and in my case that was sure true! Sleeping through regularly 7 hours at night!

Good luck!

My ds was 99th centile and weighed 10.6 when he was born at term. (3.5 hour drug free labour if anyone's worried about size!)

ForcesSweetheart, are you having the CS because of the baby's size or your size?

Mine was 11lb and 4 oz.

Lucky you big babies are wonderful!

BTW by far the easiest and quickest of my three labours.

Oh and you definitely won't need newborn size clothes or nappies. Get the size 1 nappies and 0-3 months clothes...

I had to pop into Mothercare and buy some clothes for him on the way home from the hospital.

I always wished for a diddy baby until my neice had a 4lb 9 oz-er this morning . Now I'm grateful for my healthy heffalumps.

I have had two biggies - DD was 10 14 and off the scale when born 8 years ago (I think the charts have been revised since then)

DS was 8 8 at 38 weeks, so would have been 10+ at full term!

Big babies are great - not too floppy and wobbly!

I also had GD as well and now a Type 2!