Oversized Fetus????

I'm petite, too, 115lbs. I have three children and the biggest (middle one) was 8lbs. 4oz. They'll get a better idea of the size as you get closer, I'd ask again at your next visit. If the doctor didn't seem concerned, I wouldn't worry about, but definitely ask the doctor if you're concerned.

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I also wouldnt worry because those scans can be very inaccurate. I had a friend who was told she had to have a c-section b/c the baby would be over 10 pounds and she wouldnt be able to deliver naturally, and she was a 5 pounder! I never trust the scans re: baby weight.

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Don't worry! Babies grow at their own rate, and those measurements aren't always accurate. I'm 5'4" and both of my babies were 8 lbs 10 oz and came right out :)

i say u should elect for a c-section. i know i'm gonna get a lot of flak for this, but at your size, it will be too much on your body to deliver naturally. my sis in law is 5 feet tall and was a little lighter than you about 110 lbs and she delivered her son that weighed in a 9 lbs 3 oz. she had 3rd degree tears and it took forever to heal. this was years ago. now a days, you know the size of the baby, i say go for the c-section. i had my daughter by c-section and i healed fine the recovery wasn't bad at all. good luck w/ everything, n let me know how it goes...=)

Hi L.-

I was angered by your post. Not because of what you said, but because of what the doctors are doing to you!! I have not read any of the other responses, so I apologize in advance if this repetative in nature....

First, US become less accurate as your baby grows and the fetus gets older and you get closer to the birth date.

Next, the reason I am mad is because it sounds like your doctor is trying to set you up for a C-section. Now, some may feel this statement is a bit extreme, but with my son (my second child), one of the doctors in my practice started down the same road with me. He insisted at my 24 week appointment that I needed an additional US. I had just had my 20 week anatomy scan and I asked if there was anything of concern that he thought another one, especially so soon, would show/change. He said no and that my tummy was "large". I told them that they would not be able to see anything. I could feel the baby and he had already turned down as well as was resting in the birthing canal opening, facing up, practically ready for birth. I allowed the scan at the following 4 week mark (28 weeks) and the tech was totally frustrated - she couldn't see anything. She thought she was able to get a rump to tail measurement and determined he was measuring "large" for his age. I felt like it was a bunch of heuwy! Later, the same doctor at 38 weeks, told me I was still measuring big, wanted me to go for another scan and wanted to plug a bunch of the resulting values in some equation that was suppose to determine my risk for a big baby. I knew in my heart that this was not the case. He started talking about macrosomia and shoulder dystocia. He said the only way to prevent that was an induction and C. There is was! The punch line!! Not completely understanding the terms macrosomia and shoulder dystocia, but completely understanding a C-section (i.e. major abdominal sergery, longer recovery and an inability to actively care for both my children in the manner I would want to...) had me completely upset but I was adiment that I was not going for a 4th US! He made me feel small and stupid and I was sure he was writting "AMA" (against medical advise) all over my chart. I went home, did a bunch of research on each topic and talked to a different doc at week 39. He said he had no concerns, told me not to worry and told me to go home and to try and relax before the arrival.

My beautiful baby boy was born at 8 pounds 3 ounces - no wheres near the 10 pound mark!! I also got a lot of encouragement from Hubby and my birthing doula, who both remarked that even if the baby was a big baby, I birth beautifully (their words, not mine) and I would be more than capable to bring a larger baby into this world.

As a side note, my roomie in the hospital had a little girl at 6 pounds something and she ended up with an injured shoulder! So, shoulder injuries are not necessarily related to birth size.

Don't let anyone set you up for an induction or a C unless it is truly medically necessary - large babies, failure to progress (generally on the hospitals time schedule) are not valid reasons. The US is not reliable. Trust your instincts, especialy since this is your first. You know so much more than you realize. Research your birthing options - Lamaze, Bradley, hypnobirthing, ect. I would very very strongly recommend that you look into a birthing doula too.

I wish you the best and happiest birth for you, your husband and your baby.
~C.

Ultrasounds are infamously wrong about birth weight. With my first, they said he was huge. They were all concerned. But, he was born at 6 lb 13 oz. The doctor said, "Oh, he's just a little peanut!" They were WRONG. I would never schedule a c-section based on an ultrasound. Once you have a c-section, you may always have to have one. It isn't best for baby (the birth canal helps squeeze the fluid out of their respiratory system), and it isn't best for you. Women are designed to birth their babies naturally. If you have gestational diabetes, you have a higher chance of having a large baby. Watch your diet carefully. Most likely, everything will be fine and your baby will be within the range of normal for weight. Don't be frightened by the horror stories that people will tell.

I wouldn't worry at all. Ultrasound scans can be off by a pound +/-. Besides that my first one at 32 weeks was measured at 5lbs 3 oz. and when I went to the hospital to be induced I had another ultrasound scan to see the size of the baby to see if I could go naturally. The ultrasound scan said 7lbs 9 oz. he was born c-section because the doctor said it can be +/- and being the size that i was he guessed more and sure enough he was 8lbs 11oz. too big for me to deliver naturally. And I am pregnant with no. 3 at 32 weeks as well and two weeks ago he measured 3lbs 8 oz. it's always +/- do not stress it at all. You should worry if the baby on the u/s was measuring at 38 weeks instead of 32 weeks because then you know your calculation is off. Cogratulations! :) btw i was your size pre-pregnant as well 5'0 and 125lbs.

HI L.,
I am late in responding but wanted to share...I am 5.7 and was 160 pre preg. Not small just average size. My obgyn's office ( I saw several drs. and mid wives) all said I was having a big baby. I had at least 7 US. My son was 10 days late and 7 lbs 9 ounces. Pretty average. My point is dont feed too much into this. I was induced and delivered my son vaginally. Good luck and enjoy your new precious love.

Well your size doesn't mean very much when it comes to your ability to deliver. Many petite people have large enough pelvic openings and larger people sometimes have too small of pelvic openings. Part of the reason we have so much pain in the 3rd trimester is because our body is working on opening up those bones and muscles to get ready for the baby.

By all means though ask your doctor about this. He might want another scan. Also, your body will probably deliver this baby a couple weeks early. I had my first 3 two weeks early and my forth was 3 weeks early. My girls were all 8 or more pounds. I'm sure around 20 weeks my babies were scanned around 4 pounds.

how big is the father? is this a boy or a girl baby? boys are usually bigger than girls.. do you have tall/large relatives on either side..

my daughter was always measuring small.. I was very concerned... My older experienced OB said.. " people come in different sizes" that was the end of the discussion..

She was small at birth.. continues to be a petite little girl.. perfectly healthy.. her brother is bigger and much more solid.

As many others have said, ultrasound weight estimates are notoriously inaccurate! Your due date might be off as well.

Also, don't worry about your size. I'm 5'1" and 95 lbs prepregnancy (VERY small-boned with very narrow hips and shoulders). I delivered an 8 lb baby with barely a tear. I've seen small women deliver 10 lb babies too!

I think if your doctor didn't seem concerned, you should try not to worry about it. It's easy to let these things start getting you nervous, but I think you'll be okay. I really do.
I'm tall but very small framed and I was afraid of having a huge baby.
My first baby weighed 5 lbs 7 oz full term, but they had predicted 6-1/2 to 7 pounds.
My second baby was 7 lbs 4 oz full term and they thought he would only be about 6 pounds because I got sick and had lost so much weight.
With both of my babies they were a good pound off from the actual birth weight.
You have about 8 weeks to go, so just be sure that you are getting plenty of rest, eating well and taking care of yourself.
I think you and your baby will be just fine.

Best wishes!

Maybe you are farther along that you thought.

I'm 5'2, 120 pre-pregnancy weight. My son was 9.14. Home birth. Much easier than my 6.15 oz daughter, who gave me really bad back labor. Just goes to show that size of baby doesn't really matter ;-)

Those scans are only really accurate during the 1st trimester, btw. Don't worry about it.

I had an ultrasound with the high-risk ob at 32 weeks and he told me my son weight approx 4lbs 10 oz and he was born the next day at 4 lbs 3 oz and then went down to 3lbs 12 oz. so don't be too freaked out. It's a great weight!

I delivered my last baby at 32 weeks (due to complications) and she weighed 4lbs, 8 oz. Although the general population, thinks that's big for a preemie... she was only in the 40th percentile for her gestational age.

Those scans are VERY inaccurate! Please try not to worry. Good luck.

Interior dimensions and exterior dimensions are totally different. My 5'4 tall Aunt has 11 - 12lb babies each and every single time. No epidural, no episiotomy, no sweat. Her interior dimensions are just *made* for childbirth. The only labor that lasted longer than 5 hours was her first, and she laughs that she was so scared she "froze" and clenched up or could have been home for dinner. (My Uncle is 6'6, and they knew the baby would be big... but head measurements and her pelvic measurements didn't have anyone worried but her. And then afterwards, not even her.

My mum, otoh, is 6' tall... and had 8lb babies and had difficulty with it. Her interior dimensions were a little narrow for all of our broad shoulders.

please dont get all worried, they really have no idea how much that baby weighs. They are measuring a few bones and then using some formula to calculate the weight but it is rarely accurate. The doctors had me so worried for the same reason, they were telling me my baby was getting too big, sending me for ultrasounds to monitor every week, by the end saying she was like 1o lbs. I was scared. She turned out to be 7 lbs.!! I think it was her skull circumference threw off the ratio. It is only an estimaTE.

Even if the measurements are accurate, it's still not a huge baby. From weeks 32 to 37 baby will gain approximately 1/2 pound a week. From weeks 37 to 40, baby will gain 1/4 to 1/2 pound a week.

Even if you take the highest estimates of 1/2 pound for the next 8 weeks, that is still only 4 more pounds, so baby might be 8lbs 12oz.

If your doc doesn't do another u/s until delivery time, he most likely will do one then to determine placement of the baby. Then he can determine much more accurately the size of the baby and discuss options with you if he feels you cannot handle delivering baby vaginally. I really wouldn't worry or stress about it, our bodies are made to deliver babies and teeny tiny women have larger babies all the time. Any way the little miracle makes it into the world will be ok, just as long as he is healthy and you are too! Congrats on your soon to be bundle of joy!

I weigh only 115 pounds and my mid-wife constantly told me that, due to my small size, I would have a small baby. My daughter was born only 3 days past her due date and weighed 8 pounds, 6 oz.... not a small baby. I didn't even tear during the delivery. I agree with the other ladies... drs estimate the size of our babies where they are in there, but the just can't tell with perfect accuracy.

From my experience with 2 pregnancies, the doctor's size/weight estimates are not at all accurate. They told me my first daughter was going to be huge... she wasn't. Don't worry! Besides, the female body is amazing and totally built for this, regardless of "petite stature." You can do it!! :)

I wouldn't be too alarmed. It just means that the baby is growing well. Its good information given your stature. Since the baby is large now, the drs. may have you deliver in the OR on the off-chance that a c-section is needed.

Hope you enjoyed peeking at baby! I love staring at ultra-sounds!

Your Doctor is not worried.
So don't worry.

I am a petite person... about your size.
BOTH my kids in utero, were big. When I was pregnant, everyone thought I had twins or triplets in there.
Both my kids were born over 8 pounds and 21-22" long and totally healthy and strong.
It was fine.

If anything, just ask your OB/GYN about it... no harm in just asking our Doc.

In addition to what others have said, another possibility to consider is sometimes they get the due date wrong, and baby might be further along than they thought. That happend to a friend of mine who wound up delivering "three weeks early" but the baby was actually right on time.

I don't think you should worry either. However, please make sure that you are fully aware of the symptoms of pre-term labor just in case an issue with that arises down the road. It's very unlikely but it is good to be prepared. Have a communication/emergency plan in place just in case you have any complications at all. That's a good idea for anyone who is pregnant.

Have a bag of essentials packed that contains emergency contact phone numbers etc. Keep that list of contact numbers available in your car, office, home etc. just in case. Believe me, if an emergency happens you will be glad to have taken those precautions. I went into pre-term labor unexpectedly when at home alone. If I had not specifically asked the ambulance driver to tell my neighbor which hospital we were going to, my DH would have had to call around looking for me! I needed underwear etc. in the hospital. DH went home and brought back thong underwear and pants that did not fit--LOL! That's why I suggest being prepared just in case.

Hi,
I was 5'2" and 90 pounds pre-pregnancy and had a 7 pound 10 ounce baby (vaginal birth) and a 8 pound 6 ounce second baby (also vaginal). You will be fine.

A.

Follow the doctors cues, and don't worry unnecessarily. I really don't think that those guesses are accurate. I haven't seen anyone have a baby that matches with those guesses, they are always much smaller or bigger. How did the length look? At least those they can measure accurately.

The pelvic opening is what's important, not your outside measurements. I'm 5'4" and my hips are average size on the outside, but everything worked just fine on the inside. At 9 months, I carried my son in such a way you thought I was only 6 months pregnant.

RELAX! There are WAY too many c-sections for 'omg the baby is heeyooge!' when baby is less than 9lbs. Doctors and new moms can be very overzealous and request a c-section when its not necessary at all! You will be amazed at what your body can do, so relax and let your body do what it supposed to.

I was told our oldest would be 10lbs... he was 8lbs 3oz. our youngest we were told he'd be 11lbs and were very 'cautious', but he was 9lbs and both had big huge melon heads, no problem because I let my body do what it was supposed to.

Relax. Every baby is different and therefore will be different sizes at this point in your pregnancy.

You have nothing to worry about!!! Ultrasounds are infamous for being inaccurate- even as much as 2lbs!!! Your body knows just what to do! Even if you grow a big baby, your body still knows how to give birth to it. Many Drs love to throw around the idea that the baby is too big to give birth to. In almost all cases that is nonsense. It may take some more work in labor, but you can do it!!! Also, you don't know if your baby is going to slow down it's growth at the end of the pregnancy, if you'll deliver early, or a host of other things. Please don't be intimidated! Your body will make the perfect size baby for you to give birth to!

In fact, my girlfriend who is 5 feet on a good day and maybe 100lbs pre-pregnancy just had a vaginal birth of a 7lb 5 oz. beauty. You're fine!!!

Congrats!

I say ignore what the doctor said! Doctors can't always tell how big a baby is even with all the measuring they do during an ultrasound. Both my daughters were told they would have small babies and both had large babies. One of my daughters was told 1 week before delivery her baby was about 7 and a half pounds. One week later she delivered a 10 pound baby! The other daughter was told the day before delivery her baby would be about 7 pounds. When her baby was born it was 8 lbs 9 oz! When I was expecting my twins (the daughters mentioned above), I was told at 36 weeks the babies were about 7 lbs each. One week later they were born. Each weighed 5 lbs exactly!

Those size/weight estimates are notoriously inaccurate. Relax. You're baby will the the perfect size for you.