After multiple miscarriages, my friend has finally gotten pregnant and stayed that way. Around her 5th month I think, she was told that her baby measured in the 90-95% percentile and it concerns her doctor. She doesn't have diabetes or any other complications except for being obese. She is around 34 years old and has had a son just fine. Her doctors are talking about inducing a month early, maybe sooner.
I'm wondering what could be causing her to have so big of a baby?
I think that just happens sometimes! My mom never had any problems with diabetes or anything and my brother was 11 lbs, 23" long. The story goes that he was so big he wouldn't even fit in the incubator and someone said to my dad, "Oh, look, that must be a sick baby they had to bring back!" Haha.
R., I am overweight and was when I had my baby almost a year ago. I didn't have gestational diabetes, either. My son weighed a whopping 10lb 15oz and was 22inches long at birth! I had to have a c-section because of his size as an ultrasound the day before my c-section guessed him to be 10lb 2oz (we was bigger!) and they were afraid I would deliver his head, but then have his belly get stuck and end up having an emergency c-section anyway.
My OB told me that his size had nothing to do with my size, though. Some babies are just big!
Inducing before 37 weeks is very risky as the baby needs time to develop their lungs. My son was born at 39 weeks as was that big. My OB wouldn't induce any earlier because of the lung issue. Just because a baby is big doesn't mean that their lungs are developed, so I would be very leary of inducing a month early.
I hope that helps!
My oldest son was 6 weeks early (all on his own) and was over 7 lbs, and grew very quickly till he was a toddler and slowed down.
Now my youngest, was only coming in at just shy of 5 pounds during ultrasounds and things like that, well he came when he choose to (a few days before inducement) and he was born weighing almost 7lbs.
Ultrasounds are not always perfect, if your friend is healthy I would say if she is comfortable with such a early birth that is up to her, but other wise keep the baby in as long as possible, the baby knows when its time to come out.
Like another poster said, the baby chooses its birthday not the docs...
My son was big...he's been at least 92% until he hit a year or so...I went and had ultrasounds every other week so they could keep track of his growth. I didn't have gestational diabetes either. The way the doctor explained it to me was that he was just meant to be a big baby. No real reason other than that. He's had no health problems, and I had no difficulties while I was pregnant. He was 10 pounds when he was born, and now that he's 15 months old, he's wearing 12-18 month clothes. He evened out pretty quickly after he was born.
Hope this helps ease your friend's concerns just a little. I was a little worried to, but it turned out perfectly for me. My boy is so amazing...I wouldn't have changed anything.
My son measured very large in utero, but when he was born he was only 8lbs 3oz, so he wasn't as big as they thought. I would think the only complication she might have would be during delivery and if the doctor thinks the baby is too big, they will take him c-section. now after my son was born he grew extremely fast, he has always been in the 90-95% range and he is now 7 months old wearing 12 month cloths. But according to our doctor, he is 100% healthy and is just a large fast growing kid. They said he should slow down soon, and i sure hope so, he only gets to wear an outfit 2-3 times and grows out of it!!! Good luck and God Bless!
I also would be very leary of inducing a month early. Unless your friend is not completely sure of the first day of her last period. It could be possible she is a few more weeks along. I am assuming they are doing ultrasounds and assessing the baby's size this way. Even still, this can be inaccurate. I was told my baby weighed almost 9 lbs at 38 weeks. I was terrified. My doctor refused to induce me until I was 39 weeks. My baby only weighed 8 lbs at 39 weeks when she was born. If I was your friend I would not let them induce me earlier than 37 weeks and actually, I wouldn't until 38weeks. The lung development is so crucial. Yes NICU babies usually do just fine, but is this really what your friend wants to worry about? If your friend knows what she is having, the following information may also help her. Boys do not do as well as girls who are born premature. Your friends baby would be premature and will be at risk for many other health related issues not only now but in the future. If the doctor is insistent on inducing before 37 weeks I would make sure they give her the lung maturing injections. I would also encourage her to some research on premature babies. This can help her become confident that waiting until 37 weeks is the right thing to do.
Your friend and her baby will be in my prayers!
I just think some babies are big when born. Is she sure of the date of conception? If the doc's ready to induce this early, the baby must be okay.
it happened with my brother when mom was pregnant with him. He was 10lbs 6oz and 24 inches long. She didnt have the diabetes either, they checked her for it when she got so big (otherwise back then they didnt do regular checks for it). He now stand 6' 4" talls and when he started school, he was one of the smaller kids until he had his massive growth spurt and became THE tallest in the whole school. Good Luck to your friend! (by the way, my mom had a vaginal delivery)
Sometimes babies are just big. My son was 10 lbs 5 oz when he was born. I didn't have gestational diabetes, I ate normally, gained weight normally. I was a little overdue, that's all. My doctor induced me a little bit early with my daughter so that she wouldn't get so big. She was 8 lbs 7 oz, so no small fry either, but definitely better than 10 lbs! I hardly gained any weight with her, though. So who knows why the baby is big! I would personally hesitate at being induced a month early, though. Maybe a week or so, but not a month. The baby may be big, but the lungs might be premature and there could be problems because of that. Anyway, hope it all goes well for your friend!
Some babies are just bigger. He's probably more concerned that if he keeps growing at that rate, she won't be able to deliver vaginally. Also, and the toll it could take on her physically carrying a large baby around. Yes, the closer to 37 weeks you can get, the better. but many a child has been born earlier and been fine. he may have to be in NICU for a while to help with lung development. most NICU's are well equipped.
She should just be sure to ask questions and if she has a good doctor, he's not going to do anything that would endanger either of them unnecessarily.
