Erm, since when is 34-36cm considered a large headsize for birthing?

[Freya]

For some reason alot of the new mums Ive come across lately (including my own sister) seem to think that a bub with a head circ of more than 34cm at birth has a overly large head!?

I thought 34-36cm was perfectly average size. Mine were 35cm, 33cm, 34cm and I pushed them out no worries? And I have a very temperamental perenium.

My sister goes on and on about my nephews head circ being 34cm and thats why she had an episiotomy........I dont consider 34cm epi-worthy large at all and think she had it for an entirely different reason. Ive noticed she says it to all her first time mum-to-be friends (and they are all young mums ie under 22) and I get a bit annoyed that she is scare mongering, albeit unintentionally, and could be making them think something that isnt at all true!

Have I missed something?

[Janie]

Hmmm, I don't think so hun! I thought 34-36cm was the average? DS was 35cm at 35 weeks, what would your sister make of that?

[Curly]

My understanding was 34cm was the average. My babies were 38cm and 37.5cm so I think 34-36cm sounds rather nice, actually!

[Liviam]

Yep you're right. 34-36 is average size for a baby's head. My DS had a 37.5cm head and he came out! I wonder if she is just trying to justify having an eipisitomy for herself?

[Indadhanu]

Her doctor probably told her that to justify doing an epi.

Jazzy's head was 36.5cm, and when I asked if that was why she got stuck I was told no, that is an average size, her head size was no reason for any complications, she got stuck because she turned.

[Freya]

Yep you're right. 34-36 is average size for a baby's head. My DS had a 37.5cm head and he came out! I wonder if she is just trying to justify having an eipisitomy for herself?

I think you may have hit the nail on the head there! I asked her after he was born why she had the episiotomy and she said the midwife said she would tear very very badly if they didnt cut. I found it a bit hard to believe when his head was average size and she hadnt even remotely started tearing or anything. I think it was a case of cutting to get him out quicker iykwim because she said she pushed for awhile when his head was "right there" and said he just wasnt coming out. Prob wasnt pushing adequately and the nurse wanted him out ASAP maybe instead of oh I dont know manually stretching her perenium or getting her to stand up

[Pandora]

Both my boys had 38cm HC so I reckon its small

[Miss E]

My DS's head was measuring at 40 weeks when I had my 36 week check up so they sent me off for a growth scan. They told me he was a big baby. But, when he was born he was 3.67kg (just over 8 pounds) and his head circumference was 36.5cm (I was told that was on the larger side, but normal). I think some babies just have big heads, even now his head is a little bit bigger (55th percentile, when the rest of him is 50th percentile).

[Arimeh]

I dunno - DD2 was 36.5 and the midwife said that was a "good sized head" which I took to mean it was slightly above average?

The other two were smaller than her.

[LaDolceVita]

I think it was said to justify the episiotomy also - I am a small girl, weigh between 50 - 56kgs my whole adult life before falling pregnant, size 6-8, only just about to turn 23, just had my first baby, my DS had a HC of 36cm, weighed 8lb12oz, was pushed out in under 18 minutes from start to finish and I didn't tear at all! Got a mighty graze on the side (which is still healing ) but that was from his fist being planted against the side of his face when he came out... Oh her poor friends! Maybe she is just trying to talk herself up? Does she like a bit of drama?

[kawazuki]

DD2 was 34cm and its the 10th percentile so not big in any way

[AwesomeFoursome]

Both my babies heads were 35.5cms. No-one ever said they were big.