Birth weight correlation with baby gender?

[chody47]

Ok, so apart from gall bladder issues is there anything else you can do to try to get a smaller baby?

Have a placenta that doesn't work properly...

[Bloom]

I have had DS 3.6kg, DS4.5kg and then DD 4.9kg! If you look at the baby growth charts in your baby immunisation book you'll see that on average girls are born smaller than boys.

I tested negative to GD and I was worried and even asked for a 2nd test, but was told it wasn't neccessary. DD was my shortest gestation at 40+5. I did eat sugar and carbs a lot (whereas before her pregnancy I was off sugar and low on carbs).

I would also be interested to know what to do to have a smaller baby, if there is a next time for me.

[Jakabella]

Dd 8pd 2oz. 42 weeks. Ate Maccas nearly everyday and lost 4kgs in first Tri then gained 11all up.

DS 9pd 1oz. 42 weeks. Ate very healthy and only gained 4 kgs all up.

[OceanPrincess]

HotI, you know my DS1 was big like your DS. I was nervous... Well, let's be honest... I was terrified of having a bigger baby than him. I faced the added stress of hospital policy - because the jump from DD to DS1 was more than one kg, I was automatically at higher risk for GD, shoulder dystocia, blah blah blah. Thankfully the Mws at the FBC got me onto the sensible Ob at the hosp, not the procedure-sticker one, and it was all fine. But that's one thing you won't have to worry about hey

DS2 was only 9lb 8oz (4.3kg). 500gm lighter than DS1. Didn't change my diet. Didn't change my exercise level. Big difference I can see for me is gestation - DD was 39+5, DS was 41 and DS2 was 39+6.

So getting this one out earlier might help... Did you ever do acupuncture with your first two? I had induction acupuncture with DD and DS2... Something to keep in mind. I saw a lovely lady in Eltham, might be doable for you. Just a thought

[~Kim~]

I went from 7lb2 to 9lb1 to 7lb3.
Girl. Boy. Girl.
All born at 39 weeks give or take a couple of days.

After DS I was scared.

[Teeki]

I'll admit I'm nervous about this birth. DD was 9lb4/4.24kgs. The birth was easy, no tears and everything fine. But everyone there was telling me how big she was, and when I went for my initial appointments for this pregnancy I was basically told to expect a big baby, I may be pre-disposed to GD and the first baby is always the smallest.

I'm measuring 1-2cm ahead in size, same as DD. I don't have GD so that's good. And even though DDs labor was good I can't help being nervous that maybe I won't be so lucky this time.

[Nelle]

HotI, I'm not sure what your reasons are for being nervous, but my girl was my biggest at 4.77kg (10lb 8oz) and she did no damage coming out, even though it was quick and she had her hand against her face. I put it down to it being the first time I was 'coached' during pushing, being directed and encouraged to slow down and breathe. If that's one of your concerns, maybe asking for guidance to pant rather than heave-ho (like I did with the boys) might be worth considering.

(The boys were 9lb 4oz and then 7lb 9oz and pretty different, the heavier being long and skinny and the lighter being short and fat. Babygirl was the first to go 'over' though, by 4 days. The boys were 1 or 2 days before EDD.)

[nickle730]

My three kids all have the same parents and were all born at around 39 and a half weeks (can't remember exactly!).

DD1 - 2.7kg
DS - 3.57kg
DD2 - 3.30kg

I ate the same diet with each of them and did not have GD with any of them. I gained around 12kgs during each pg. DD1 is still on the small side, she is now 10 and weighs 26kg. I think she is just made little, we come in all shapes and sizes and she is small. I am certain of her dates, she was not early. I agree with the PP who said that a bigger baby is easier! DD1 was jaundiced, sleepy, difficult to feed and had a poor sucking reflex. Everyone from the MCHN to the paed hassled me about her slow weight gain. The other two were better feeders and seemed more robust. DD1 was also the most difficult delivery by far.

[Miss.September]

While I don't have different genders, I was more inclined to eat more junky foods with DD2 and she was 9lb 2oz at 40 +6 (I gained 11kg). DD1, I was pretty strict on being as healthy as I could be - so lots of veggie soups for lunch, very little junk food (as in chocolate, potato chips, cake) and she was 7lb 13 oz at 39+5 (I gained 9kg).

My friend had a big boy as her first, almost 10lb and her second was a petite little girl (same gestation) at just over 6lb.

Way back when my grandmother was having her babies, she'd had two big boys and her third was on the way. She was put on strict doctor's orders to consume no salt so she could have a little baby! I don't know what size my aunt was though. My grandmother always said how difficult it was to stick o any sort of salt-free diet.

I don't know if what I was eating contributed or not, just thought I'd give you more to ponder!

ETA - The comments about pushing and being coached ring true to me. DD1 was smaller in both weight and length, I needed a forceps delivery (plus epi) and I ad superficial tears. I had no idea what I was doing. Second time round, I went with what the midwife said, she coached me through and I didn't need forceps and no tears at all. (I did need an epi though but that was because the cord was around her neck an they had to cut it before she was born - they couldn't get to it without the epi.)

[peanutter]

DS1 - 39 & 5 - 9lb 3.5oz

DS2 - 39 & 0 - 9lb 9.5oz

[raffy]

I only have the two boys but they were both 8lb 6oz, DS1 was born at 41+5wks and DS2 at 38+5wks, I shudder to think how big DS2 would have got if he was in there for another 3 weeks like DS1! However both pregnancies were exactly the same! Sickness, cravings, aversions, weight loss, symptoms etc. all exactly the same but if they had the same gestation DS2 would have been significantly bigger

[HotI]

How much do babies actually grow in the last week or two (e.g. from 40 to 41 weeks or 39 to 41 weeks)?

HotI, I'm not sure what your reasons are for being nervous, but my girl was my biggest at 4.77kg (10lb 8oz) and she did no damage coming out, even though it was quick and she had her hand against her face. I put it down to it being the first time I was 'coached' during pushing, being directed and encouraged to slow down and breathe. If that's one of your concerns, maybe asking for guidance to pant rather than heave-ho (like I did with the boys) might be worth considering.

It's not just for birth that i would prefer a smaller baby, my tummy muscles are quite damaged from previous pregnancies, and holding a bigger baby in is both more difficult and can lead to more damage. DS was bigger than your girl and i birthed in water. My pelvis opening to let him through hurt more than when he came out. I am not into coached pushing, but talking through with my midwife during my pregnancy allowed me to just breathe him out. I just hope that i can do that again, no matter how big baby is.

[Bloom]

One of the issues with bigger babies can be shoulder dystocia. My DD 4.9kg had a mild/moderate issue with this. No assistance was needed in the end but it was a bit panic-y right there at the end. I had a natural labour with midwife led care (as had been my two previous births).

Side note: apparently my DD's placenta was huge and very healthy contributing to a big baby.

[peanutter]

We were told up to 500gm p/week from 38 weeks.

[HotI]

Side note: apparently my DD's placenta was huge and very healthy contributing to a big baby.

Interesting, DS had a huge placenta too.

[Dansta]

Ive had two boys...
Dj was 7lb15oz - feb 7th had a noice hot summer. 11 days late
Vic was 9lb6.5oz June 30th fatty boomba in the middle of winter. same-ish diet (less maccas banana bread and KFC pop corn chicken with vic)

[Trillian]

Side note: apparently my DD's placenta was huge and very healthy contributing to a big baby.

My 'big' baby's placenta was large too. HotI, no matter what size the baby ends up being, any pregnancy is going to put strain on your stomach muscles and you might find that even with a small baby, you still suffer issues because the damage has already been done so to speak. So you may need to get one of those support girdle things to wear during this pregnancy.

[Jennifer13]

I wish I could help you out with the whys and wherefores - I cook particularly small full term babies. DD1: 2.56 kg at 38+6; DD2: 2.8 kg at 40+2. Both were also only 48cm long.

Easily the tiniest babies produced in my family, despite me being one of the tallest women (around 5' 5") and having children with the tallest partner (6' 2"). I'm quite petite in build though and DP isn't broad.

I eat healthy food, but a lot of it, particularly in the first tri. I don't get m/s so I tend to start putting on weight quite quickly.

Wondering what this one will weigh and if a boy might be bigger.

Are you seeing a physio who can help with your core muscles? I still have a split from DD2 (despite her small size). :/