If you had a very long pregnancy....

[luna moth]

... did you have a very big baby?

Someone I know is about to have a baby and is "not allowed" to go past 40 weeks. There is a bit of big baby = bad birth fear-mongering, and I just wonder how much basis there is in it.

I went to 41 weeks 5 days. Baby was 4.07kg.

^ I know that my stats are probably playing on her mind a little bit. But at the same time, I had a big baby and an awesome birth, so I hope that's a consideration too.

[Beach Mama]

Mmmm I think the "not allowed" can be negotiated in some cases.... I wasnt allowed to go past 9 days with my vbac attempt.... I got to 14 days and he was 4.56kg(10lbs), and DD was 11 days over and 3.99kgs(8lb13oz)..... Lots of people give birth naturally with big babies with no worries... I just never got the chance! My gf who is tiny had a 9lber and 10lb14 bub only a few days late both vaginally. Good luck to your friend.

[onthefly]

I thought the not being 'allowed' thing was more about the fear of an increase in the risk of stillbirth?
Anyway, mine were 4029g and 4030g, both at around 42 weeks, so not particularly big.
It's a pet peeve of mine that people feel they're 'not allowed' to gestate beyond a certain point. It's a decision that should be made by the mother.

[luna moth]

I thought the not being 'allowed' thing was more about the fear of an increase in the risk of stillbirth?

I thought that was about going past 42, or the magical 40+10?

Her first was born at 40 + 10, so the 40 week limit is very much about not wanting her to have too big a baby. Firstborn was 3.7kg, after a lot of scans and hoopla and carry on about how big it would be in the weeks leading up to the birth.

[surprised]

I was 40+13 when he was born... 3.8kg

[Shades]

I went 40+13d and he was 3730g so not particularly huge. And he was really long (55cm) so he was more skinny even though he was heavy.

[Jakabella]

DD was 42 weeks, induced emerg csect and 8pds 2oz.
DS was 41+5 VBAC and 9pds 1oz.

[Shanti]

DD1 - went to 41weeks and she was 8pds 1oz....
DD2 - went to 40+6 and she was 10pds 6oz........ I make big bubba's!!! thats 4.7kg

[Heaven]

DD1 40+12 and 8lb 10oz so not huge

[~Kaz~]

40+11 here and DS was 3.84kg or 8p7.

They told me/indicated he would be "big" but I'm pretty sure he was right on the 50th% in the end. They really can't tell how big a baby is going to be until it arrives

[kateo]

My daughter Ellen was stillborn at 41 weeks. I didn't want to be induced early. She weighed 3.333kg

[~clover~]

I really think its more to do with the baby...

Me:
DD1 - 41+1 ; 7lb 5oz
DD2 - 41 ; 8lb 9oz
DS - 39+5 ; 8lb 7.5oz
DD3 - 40+5 ; 7lb 5oz

Friend 1:
DD - 42+2 ; 7lb 9oz
DS - 42+2 ; 10lb 10oz

Friend 2:
DD1 - 40+2 ; 7lb 5oz
DD2 - 40+5 ; 6lb 9oz

All babies birthed naturally, except friend 2's DD. Baby was brow presenting (face first)

Obviously the more time inside, the more chance to chub up, but that means nothing really.

[Melbournemumma]

I had ds1 at 40+6 and he was 4.5 and ds2 at 38+5 and he was 4.035 so even early mine are big

[Taurean]

My friend just had her second baby this week at 40+5 (induced at a private hospital) and she was 3.3kg so nope, not big at all! No scaremongering for her either, she just wanted her out as she'd had a lot of pre labour and was over it.

[Phteven]

Both my boys went one week over their EDDs.
There was a big difference in their birth weights (almost 1kg) but since they both had the same gestation it couldn't have been due to the length of my pregnancy.