Larger than Expected Baby

Hi R.,

With my first son, I had an ultrasound at 36 weeks and they estimated him to be 8 1/2 pounds. Their biggest concern was the size of his head. After lots of discussion, we elected for the scheduled c-section about 10 days before my due date. He had still not dropped and there was no gestational diabetes. He was 10 lbs 7.6 oz. The doctor told me that there was no way I could have delivered him vaginally and I'm not a small person. He looked like a middle linebacker. I'm sure there are lots of people who had a different result, but that was my experience.

Good luck and congratulations!

Just as the other mom's stated, it's an estimate. My son was 'estimated' to weigh 9#, and was born at exactly 7. It's all in the way he/she is positioned during the exam, your fluids/his/her fluids, etc. Don't sweat it! Remember, God never gives us more then we can handle!!

10.6# Vaganal. One tear. Please, don't forget that it is an ESTIMATE. They have no idea how much your baby actually weighs. I asked them not to estimate for just your reason. I can push out a 6# baby, but if I had thought I was going to have a 10# baby I would have FREAKED. You can do it. Plus, they are probably off on the weight. Good luck!

Hi R.~
I'm an RN and i occasionally work at a Birthing Center. I've seen quite a few PETITE women push out LARGE babies. Keep in mind that what they are telling u is only an ESTIMATE. Speaking from experience, when I had my son my doc thought he was going to weigh at least 8 1/2 pounds, but he was only 6 pounds & 8 ounces. He was my first and I did tear, despite him being small.Try to think positive and don't let that freak u out!! Good luck!!

R.,

I just delivered in April. He was my first baby, too. I was very scared of him being too big and me tearing a lot. I was even more scared of the idea of being cut...yikes. The doctor has told me since I was young that I had a "petite reproductive system" and could not give birth to a big baby. My son was only 7'13, but he came out with no problems whatsoever. You would have thought that he only weighed 4 lbs as easy as it was. I could have probably delivered a baby that was a couple pounds heavier as long as the head wasn't too much bigger...and I'm not big either. I did tear just a little, but it only took like 5 stiches to fix.

You should look into perineal message. I didn't do it before my delivery, but in the hospital the nurse did this wile I was pushing to get the baby's head down. She got a big container of this pink soap stuff and everytime I would push, she would gently message and stretch me. I'm pretty sure she saved me from tearing badly. You or your husband can do this while you are still pregnant to prepare you.

They are preparing you for the what-ifs because they have seen so many before. My water broke about a week and a half before my due date...I think our bodies generally know what it can handle. Just because you are small doesn't mean you can't handle a 10 pounder if they are right.

Estimates can always be off...a girl I work with was told her baby was about 6 pounds and he came out 9'1. Just relax and let nature do its thing.

One thing that might help, my doctor told me to stay away from processed sugar and anything made with white flour the last trimester. He said that this can in some people make the baby bigger (as in put on weight quicker) if you eat these type foods during the time the baby is loading up on pounds anyway.

Congrats on your new baby!

Hi R.--
I just wanted to share this with you. My baby was also measuring larger than expected. They were saying 9 1/2 lbs when I was at 36 weeks and expecting him to be over ten at birth. I was VERY much wanting a vaginal, non-medicated birth but the doctors in-charge told my midwife I should have a c-section because of the possibility of shoulder distasia (sp?) with the baby's size and mine (I am 5'3 and normally weigh around 115-130.) Also, I asked about the measuring techniques because I had read that ultrasound can be off by up to 2 lbs and was assured that the machines now are so much more advanced that they could be considered very accurate. So, I went ahead with a C-section that I never wanted (along with the 6 weeks of pain and recovery compared to maybe one day of it for a vaginal birth)and had a beautiful, healthy 8lb 15 oz boy. Way off their measurements. This was at MUSC by the way. Now, saying all of this, I was unhappy about the C-section. However, once my baby was in my arms I could not have cared less how he got there. He was healthy and perfect. So my point is: don't make your decision solely on those measurements. Women have done this forever and the U.S. has a much higher rate of unnecessary C-sections. I hope this is helpful and if you wanted more information you could always call one of the libraries and ask how to get articles on this. Good luck and I hope your birth goes beautifully!

Don't worry...I had a 9 lb 1 oz baby girl 05/05. I just had a few stitches (which you prob won't feel at all - they numb you). I felt sssooooo good after I had her, my husband asked me "how many more do you want", I told him "how many more do you want to give me". I felt like I could've run a marathon after I gave birth to her. The nurse told us that babies after their due date don't keep gaining weight, they actually start losing weight, so don't worry about the baby gaining weight after the due date...they don't. The doctor let me tear, he said it is usually smaller than if they give you an episiotomy. My Aunt had a 11 lb baby and DIDN'T tear!

The last thing you need to do is fear. Fear is the enemy!!!! If you can find this book, buy it and read it before you give birth. Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize. This book helped me and I buy it for my friends and family who are expecting. I still read this book because I hope to have another baby. Relax your body knows what to do. Be Blessed.

R.,

I was in the same predicament. When I was about 36 weeks as well, my midwife said that our son was about 8 lbs already - I thought OH MY GOODNESS!! My husband is only 5'7 and athletic build and I'm only 5'4. So, we're not huge people. I thought the same thing - our son is going to be 10 pounds plus, but thank goodness he was born at exactly 8lbs. So her guess must have been wrong.
I delivered vaginally, and the midwife delivering our son, noticed that I would have had a 3rd degree tear, and she didn't want me to deal with that pain, so she did an episiotomy - which if you get an epidural you can't feel at all. I was all gungho about not getting "snipped", but it was unavoidable. So she did what was best for me.
I would stick with going for the vaginal delivery, but if all else fails, then just do what's best for your little girl.

Hi R....
I am a mother of 3 and hopefully if you read all these responses you can see there are alot of differences in ultrasounds. To soothe your anticipations, ultrasounds measure the different lengths in arms, legs and backbones; also head. These can vary so and 90% of the time these measurements, though correct, can lead the techs to assume the baby is going to be larger than expected. This allows the drs to prepare for decisions ahead of time to make sure your baby and yourself are in optimal care during the delivery. That being said...my husband and I were told that our daughter was going to be a 10 lb baby...and this due to her measurements....well....she was only 6 lbs 12 oz and was 2 weeks late. Our second daughter...very, very large measurements again....she was to be 10 lbs...well...7 lbs 10 oz and then our last was again...9 lbs guessed..he came out 7 lbs 5oz. So you see, drs...even the best get it wrong. More than they give privy to. About the only thing now with the high tech ultrasound machines is the baby's gender. And I know techs/drs that get that wrong too. (btw-I have done ultrasounds)
I understand your feelings. I was also worried and worry is not good for you or your baby. He/she will be whatever weight is good for him/her. You need to take care of yourself and know that things will go perfect. And no matter what, when you first lay eyes on your beautiful baby, you will not care nor will it matter the size. You have so much to look forward too. Life is made more wonderful with children May God bless you, your husband and your baby to be! Please let me know your due date and if so, the gender.
L

It's all in the size of the head. Generally, a ten pound baby has just put on more fat. Once you get past the head, the rest is easy.

Late term ultrasounds can be off by up to 2 pounds.

The only time I can think of that an episiotomy is preferably to naturally tearing is when you're tearing upwards. The doctor can overcut, but you won't overtear.

Hi R.,

First of all good luck. I had my son at 9lb 1 oz..the doctor cut me and honstly i didn't know it until my husband told me. Just relax and don't eat red popsicles while you're in labor :)

I was told the day I was sent to the hospital to be induced that my son weighed about 8 lbs, 4 oz. He was born less than 24 hours after being told that and he weighed 5 lbs, 10 oz...and I was a gestational diabetic. When I saw that doctor again, I told him he was WAY off! He was shocked to hear the difference between was he saw and what my son actually was.

Now, being told that, if your baby is indeed that big, good luck! I was put under to have my son so I can't give any labor advice. Good luck for both the delivery and the bringing home of baby!

I'm a small woman and my first child was 8lbs 11oz, my second 9lbs 6oz and only gained 28lbs during 2nd pregnancy. My doctor told me some women just have larger babies. I didn't have an episiotomy with my second and in fact I delivered my 2nd MUCH easier than my first. Total time of delivery was about 15mins, very quick. I've always heard bigger babies in some way help push theirselves out(don't know how true that is) which makes delivery easier. Also my best friend was 10lbs 8oz and her mother delivered her naturally.

First, keep in mind that the weight is ESTIMATED by the sonogram. My doctor put my first baby 1 lb off. She was born 9 lb, 14 oz and I had an episiotomy, which I really had wanted to avoid. At 6 weeks post-delivery, I had to have the incision cauterized with silver nitrate, and that did not hurt at all. I delivered my second child vaginally (he was smaller- 8 lbs 5oz) with no episiotomy. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

I have had 3 children...#1 was 8lb 8oz....#2 was 8lb 13 oz .....and #3 was 8lbs 3oz and she was born a week early....I tore a little with all 3 and they say now that it is better to tear than to cut...but you don't have to worry about because it really doesn't bother to much...As long as you go to your classes and learn how to relax and to not push when told to you shouldn't tear to bad even if you do at all...My last baby got stuck because of the way she was turned but it wasn't because of her size...it just took a few harder pushes and the doc. getting her shoulders out....They told me with my 1st he was gonna be around 6lb and with my last they said around 10...you can never really know........Good luck and don't worry

R.,
I am glad that you are feeling better. My son was born on Thursday and they said that at 36 weeks he was 6 lbs 10 oz. It turns out that he weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and the reason for the big estimate was that he has long arms and legs.

I was actually supposed to be induced on Thursday morning at 7:30 am but Tristan had a different idea and my water broke at 1:50 am. Babies have a strange way of knowing things. Anyway, I was really nervous about labor but it wasn't as bad as I expected.

Also, I tore during delivery very early. After he was born, my doctor said that I tore early and that he tries not to do episotomies unless it is absolutely necessary so just keep that in mind. I truly believe now that your body knows exactly what to do.

Hope all goes well.
K.

Keep in mind that the late ultrasounds can be pretty inaccurate as far as a weight estimate. I was told at 38 weeks my little guy was 9 lbs 12oz already. I delivered at 39 weeks and he was 7 lbs 14 oz. Despite his smaller-than-estimated size, I ended up having a c-section anyway for other reasons after going through labor and pushing....and I was really happy with the way everything turned out. As long as you get that healthy baby in the end, she can show up however she wants :)

I was told my daughter was going to be a 10lb baby easily-she came out 7.3!!! I was told with my son that he was going to be on the low end of the 6 lb range-he came out 7.9!!! I had both normal. I did get cut with both of them but not that bad. My OB and nurse were great with my son, they kept rubbing and streaching the skin so his head could come out without me being cut but I still had to be. His head was 13 inches!!!!

Now my cousin had a almost 10 lb baby, vaginal and with no drugs!!! Why she would do that I have no clue but just goes to show you it can be done!!

Good luck and congrats!
S.

My 1st weighed 12 pounds even. We were given the option to have a Vaginal birth or a c section. The risk of the vaginal birth at his size outweighed the risk of the c section...so c section it was. I am happy with the decision I made and I hope you are happy with whatever decision you make too!
GOOD LUCK!!

Hi R.,
The doctor's said THE EXACT SAME THING to me. I am assuming that they determined this weight by ultrasound? If so, the margin of error is 1 lb. either way. I was 41 weeks when they told me my baby was 9 lbs 6 oz. I almost lost it right there ( I am 5'6, 125 lbs, small-framed). They did offer up the c-section as a possibility and were trying to persuade me to go in that direction. I almost let it worry me crazy and lost sleep over the whole thing. I finally opted out of the c-section plan, hoping that the margin of error was going to be in my favor. IT WAS!! My son was born 8 lbs 6 oz- exactly 1 lbs less than they predicted. My son was still not small by any means, but I had no complications during delivery. The dr did let me tear (I heard they really don't do episiotomies anymore), and I had a second degree tear. I am sooooo glad I decided to opt out of the c-section. Remember that weight by ultrasound is just an approximation. If your instinct tells you to go naturally, then by all means, listen to your gut.

Hi R.:
My daughter was 9 lbs 8 oz at birth (I was a week overdue) which was a huge shock to my midwife...she had estimated her to be "8 pounds max" so I really don't think they have a fool proof way of telling what the baby's weight will be. I'm not sure what it's called but while I was pushing, she stretched me gently so that I would not tear as much (I still had to have a couple stitches, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.) Have you tried Kegels at all? I didn't ever try doing them, but I have heard that they can help with that (better late than never) and have heard some positive things from other people who tried them also. Good luck and Congratulations!

R.,

I had a 9 lb 9 oz baby boy in November of '05. I had to have a c-section, but not because of his size, his head was turned the wrong way to fit through my pelvis. All that being said, I wanted to tell you that I went through 18 and 1/2 hours of labor before finally having to have an emergency c-section. I was very disappointed but my doctor and nurses were telling me that I did a good job and had done the best I could trying to deliver vaginally. My advice would be to go for the vaginal and see what happens. You could opt for the c-section at any time, but there's nothing like the feeling of going into labor naturallly. At least then, you'll know that you tried the best you could and it just wasn't feasible to have a vaginal with this baby. Hope this helps, congrats, and good luck!

C.

I had a 9lb 10 oz baby and I am petite (5'4", 110lbs). Do lots of exercises to encourage the baby to be faced correctly, ie get on your hands and knees alot or lean over ottomans to watch TV. Sit up straight and don't lounge back whenever possible. You may want to consider eating a high veggie, high fruit, low carb diet these next few weeks. Avoid sugar and only take your prenatal every other day. Walk often and do squats if you can. Good Luck.

Hey R.,
Just a note on the episiotomy...I did not want one either & my midwife was not one that did them unless absolutely necessary. I wanted to tear naturally as well, since I had a natural childbirth. My son's heartrate had dropped too low for too long, and I couldn't push him out quickly enough. So, unfortunately I had an episiotomy. I will say though that even with natural birth and no medication, I did not feel much of anything with the epis. Pain is mainly in your mind. If you don't expect pain, you will not have any (or much). I didn't and I don't regreat any of it, even the episiotomy. Oh...I also healed very quickly and very well...just a bit uncomfprtable for a couple weeks. A couple ibuprophens helped as needed. :)
B.

The margin of error on estimating baby weight with ultrasound at that point in pregnancy is pretty high. I wouldn't worry. 9 1/2 lbs is the 97th percentile for girls (only 3 out of 100 baby girls weigh more than this at birth), so likely she will weigh less than that. My daughter was in the 85th percentile in birth weight...I delivered vaginally without an epidural. I tore, but it was only a first degree tear.

I had several ultrasounds before having my daughter. They estimated her to be under 9 lbs at birth.. she was 9 lbs 11 oz. I had her via c-section at 38 weeks.. not just because of her size. I just wanted to say.. the ultrasounds can be off.. plus or minus. Don't freak too much. They could be wrong.

Good luck to you!!

Well R., I had a baby which was 10lbs 7oz. at birth. However, I did have a emergency c-section due to hypertension. I wanted to just give you some encouragement, that you can do it natural, women do it everyday and are very successful with it. There are no guarantees, but the main concern is for a healthy and happy baby. Good Luck!

Don't worry too much about odds and such. If you really want a vaginal delivery, go for it. When I got pregnant with my daughter, I had been told for 8 years that I could not get pregnant and if I did I could not carry a baby to term. They also told me there was no way I could deliver a baby larger than 7 pounds or so because my pelvic bones were tilted funny and the baby might get caught. I wanted to try vaginal, and I wanted to go drug-free. My doctors backed me up and said they would do all they could, but I had to be prepared for an early delivery and possible c-section. They were wrong on all accounts. I went to 41 weeks and was induced. But I safely delivered an 8lb. 13 oz. baby girl vaginally with no drugs. I asked them how that was possible, and the doctors all said "We're human, too, and make mistakes just like everyone else." So, don't worry. At this time of year, even if you gain a good bit of weight between now and when the baby is born, it is most likely water weight. If the baby is healthy and you are too and the doctor says not to worry then don't. And if it makes you feel any better my MIL weighed about 110 pounds when she gave birth to my 10 lb+ husband. That the baby arrives safely is the most important thing. Oh! And as for the tearing vs. episiotomy. I had an episiotomy even though my daughter came really fast. They numb you to stitch you up, but your're so busy having a baby in the end it won't really matter and you probably won't know until afterwards that it happened. Good luck!

Hi there. Well, you first need to know that the baby's weight they gave you is an estimate. There really is no way to know how big the baby will actually be until the baby is born and weighed. I was told a week before my due date with my first that my baby would be only about 5 lbs - she weighed in at 8 and a half pounds a few days later. I too am small and had a long labor and delivery with my first. She ended up being suctioned out finally. I did tear, but not horribly bad. Here's the better news though if you end up having more children, they get way easier. My second and third came the next two years and the deliveries were a piece of cake comparitively with no tearing at all. All my babies came in right around the same weight. I would never have wanted to have a c-section if at all possible. Of course if there was an immediate emergency then I would have, but to me, the c-section recovery would be much longer than the vaginal delivery even with a tear. I wish you the best in the birth of your little girl.

the weight thing is just an estimate they said my son weighed close to 12.3 and he only weighed 7.8 but my friends little girl weighed 13lbs and she delived her normally but she had alot of problems after delivery because of her being so tiny figured of course shes a toothpick she had to go through physical theapy for about 6 months and my sister in law had a 8lb boy and she wripped all the way to her but thay actuall had to reconstuct her but hole she had over 200 stitches inside and out

R.

Take a deep breath. Do not get overly concerned with the weight issues. You can ask your doctor about the accuracy rate concerning ultrasound/sonograms when determining weight of a baby. I know that the weight can often be off by a pound or more. Just recently my nephew was expected to be approx 11 pounds, using all prediction models out there. The doctor did caveat that the predcition could be off by a pound or more. And boy was it!!!!! The child only weighed 8lbs 10oz.

As for tearing during delivery. No doctor is going to allow you to intentionally tear. Unless you tell them No episiotomy. Yes say Yes you are willing to have one.

Weight or tearing...no doctor these days are going to risk having a baby hurt during a delivery. they can't afford the insurance/lawsuits. if anything they will err on the side of caution.

If they think you can deliver vaginally go for it. They would risk it otherwise.

Hey put it in the back of your head for now! Enjoy these last few weeks and get plenty of rest so you are ready when the time comes... Best of luck!!!!

My son was 10 pounds at birth, and I delivered him naturally and without the use of drugs. I would not worry. I carried him to 40 weeks, and had to be induced. Every situation is different, but I wouldn't worry. He willget here exactly the way he is suppose to. Good Luck!!!

Hey R.,

I can't comment on having a large baby because my little girl was only 7 lbs 1 oz at birth, but I delivered naturally with no drugs and I tore very badly. So badly in fact that the doctor thought he was going to have to put me to sleep to stitch me up, it took him 45 minutes to finish stitching me up. So, on that end of it I would tell you that they say tearing is better because you heal faster. I know women who have had both and say that the natural tear always heals faster. I asked my doctor and he said that only if they have to do an episiotomy would they, and even though I had such severe tearing it was still better than being clipped.

On the subject of the ultrasound predicting weight. A girl I know had an emergency c-section 2 weeks before my daughter was born. They were estimating her little boy was over 11 lbs, and it ended up that he was only a little over 7 lbs and they pulled off 13 lbs of fluid. So, just know that the measurements they take are just an estimate.

Good luck with your little girl! It's so exciting!

A.

I wouldn't put too much faith with the "expected weight". I had a fetal specialist guess my youngests weight at 11lbs 4 ozs- and I had a 7lb 2 oz baby, thats more than a little off LOL! They are estimates based solely on the bone length of your baby.

Give yourself a chance to have the vaginal delivery, and if it doesn't work out it doesn't. The doctors will monitor you and the baby and help you make informed decisions once you go into labor.

My daughter weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces at birth. I had no complications and no episiotomy or tearing. 18 months later I gave birth to my big boy: 10 pounds, 1 ounce. Again, no complications or tearing. I have had several friends who also gave birth to larger babies without any problems. Don't worry, just enjoy your new baby. The only downside, my son had newborn outfits he never had a chance to wear or were too small to begin with! Congratulations!

Hi, My daughter weighed 9.5 when she was born. She was my 2nd child, and almost delivered in the car. Thank God she was that big, otherwise I would have been on the news. The Doctorknew she was going to be big,but never mentionned a c-section. Ask your Doctor lots of questions, they should let you know what a safe birth for you would be. After delivery, if its vaginal, icepacks are your best friend,take it from me. Good luck!!
P.S. I did tear, but she came so fast once I got to the hospital, 2 pushes.