Head Circumference

**Lynn** · November 30th, 2007, 02:41 PM

Hi there!

Just wondering what the 'normal' or average head circumference is for a newborn. From what I understand it is between 33 and 38cm.

Did anyone have problems with having a VB because of the head size? What is the biggest that you can birth?

**visitor1** · November 30th, 2007, 02:42 PM

DD1 was 34 cm
DD2 was 34.5 cm

Both times i was told that was normal and an average size!

**boomba** · November 30th, 2007, 02:49 PM

I heard average is 35? And DS was 37.5cm! I dont think it really matters, cause they are going to have to come out anyway

I did have forceps but not because of head size?x

**Trillian** · November 30th, 2007, 03:08 PM

I think the most common would be 34-35cm, but I don't know what the biggest would be that you could birth vaginally with no problems, after all the head will mould itself to fit. Mine were 34.8, 2 x 34 and 37cm

**Zee** · November 30th, 2007, 03:14 PM

34.5 here!

**Alan** · November 30th, 2007, 03:18 PM

Average is around 35cm

**dee73** · November 30th, 2007, 03:37 PM

DS was 38cm, and came out no worries.

**gorgeous_lea** · November 30th, 2007, 04:30 PM

My first babies head was 37.5 and i ended up needing an episiotomy, ouch!!
They got smaller with the rest, thank god lol

My friend's 5th babies head was 39.5cm and had him with no problems, except for a lot of pain of course!!!!!

**Spring Angel** · November 30th, 2007, 04:46 PM

Lynn:

Harry was 33cm (at 36weeks 2 days)
Ollie was 35cm (at 38weeks 3days.)

You crack me up girl. You can do it babe, you are amazing you know that.

Lv Spring.

**christy** · November 30th, 2007, 05:35 PM

Matilda's was 36 but c/s
Jovie's was 36.5 and a vb. I did have stitches but only because her hand came out with her head.... so the head circumference really didn't matter.

**Karina** · November 30th, 2007, 05:48 PM

Claire was 33cm or 33.5 cm. One of the two, I cant remember now. I did tear though, which needed stitches.

**Trish** · November 30th, 2007, 07:13 PM

My babies have all been around the 34 or 35 mark. Abbey was 33.5cm. Thankfully my babies only have small heads. But yep, you aren't going to know how big it is until it comes on out.

Oh, I have never torn or needed stitches with any of my babies.

**Lynn** · November 30th, 2007, 07:44 PM

Thanks for all the replies.

Spring - you know me...................crazy girl! I worry about everything!

**Tracey** · November 30th, 2007, 07:49 PM

It will all stretch to accomodate... Plus the head are sorta soft!

**Pandora** · November 30th, 2007, 08:17 PM

MJs HC was either 38 or 38.5
I had a VB, with some gas. Things move around and stretch like the others have said.

**Freya** · December 3rd, 2007, 07:31 AM

My first had a head circumference of 35cm when he was born (early @ 38wks) and I had no tearing/no stitches. I was told 35cm was average.
This time round bub's head was 30.5cm @ my 33wk growth scan so Im expecting much the same size if not a tad bigger.

Head circumference really doesnt matter as bubs head is moldable, it squeezes and shapes to the birth canal which is why they come out with a bit of a cone-head look

**Ambah** · December 3rd, 2007, 07:45 AM

Aidyns HC was 37cm, and he also came out with a hand up next to his face.
I don't think the size of the head makes any difference... I didn't even tear, just grazed...

**BellyBelly** · December 3rd, 2007, 01:03 PM

Babies heads are born with 4 seperate bones which mould as needed. Also your pelvis swings like gates to open and accommodate. The vagina is also like an accordion, and stretches like a rubber band and bounds back into shape.... here's a really obvious example of how things work - when you poo!!! It stretches and then goes back to shape to pass waste, thats its job just like the vagina but it's job is to pass a baby through. It's made for it!