freaking out about big baby

[Nelle]

My first bub was 9lb4oz, and I birthed him just fine - and heaps bigger babies have been birthed vaginally, so a big baby's definitely do-able!

My personal theory (as in, it could be true, but I haven't read it as a medical 'fact'), is that babies have growth spurts once they're born, so it would make sense that they have them before birth too! As in, one week they are growing fingernails, and the next they grow heaps longer/heavier. I used to measure weeks ahead, and then a few weeks later I'd be right on target, and then I'd be weeks ahead again. That's why I reckon babies have growth spurts. Don't quote me on that though.

Heavy babies can just be long babies too. Which means they don't have any extra width to push out, just length. Plus there's the whole squishability of babies heads anyway.

And as others have said, u/s is pretty darned unreliable for weight - I've read many stories where people have had a c/s because their bub is big, only to be presented with a 7 pounder. Whoops.
And even if your bub is big, it's do-able! Women birth big babies all the time!

[Trillian]

There have been a few BB'ers that have had large VBAC babies - Niliac's little boy was nearly 10lb and Christy's little girl was 8lb15. Don't let this undermine the confidence you have in yourself. Bigger babies are no different to a smaller baby to push out and it really is mind over matter - if no one told you anything about the possible size of bubs, you wouldn't have a concern at all, but once someone mentions 'big baby' - there goes your confidence.

For the record, fundal height means NOTHING in relation to the size of the baby - it can depend on how much fluid you have, position of the baby and also how many babies you've had before. Also you could have 2 people get two different measurements each time. All it measures is the height of your fundus.

Keep pushing (pardon the pun ) for what you want because YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

[Anila]

- if no one told you anything about the possible size of bubs, you wouldn't have a concern at all, but once someone mentions 'big baby' - there goes your confidence.


!

I know that i have already posted, but i agree with Trillian, from the quote above.
Dont think about bubs possiable size, just concentrate on what a wonderful event is soon to occur.
Good luck darl.

[~*Niadalla*~]

Bah, I was informed at 34 weeks, that my fundal height was 44. LOL I had a bit of extra amniotic fluid.
Then at a growth scan, I was informed that my son would be pushing 11-12 pounds. Pfft. He was a touch under 9 pounds.

Don't stress. U/S are not very reliable at this stage.

[Taurean]

I was a bit over 9lb (which is hilarious cause I'm actually quite small now!) and mum said I was a dream birth. Labour was less than 90 minutes, her doctor didn't even make it to the birth, and she said I practically flew out. Oh, and to top it off, I did have a big head - mum reminds me of that all the time She honestly said I really was easy and everyone was quite suprised at my size when I made my arrival.

You can do it!

[Visitor8]

I was a bit over 9lb (which is hilarious cause I'm actually quite small now!) and mum said I was a dream birth. Labour was less than 90 minutes, her doctor didn't even make it to the birth, and she said I practically flew out. Oh, and to top it off, I did have a big head - mum reminds me of that all the time She honestly said I really was easy and everyone was quite suprised at my size when I made my arrival.

You can do it!

My 9lbs 5oz'er was my easiest too! All my boys had biggish heads, 37, 37.5 and 39! Yup they all went up in size with head, length (53, 55, 55.5) and weight lol

[V21]

ultrasounds can be up to 15% out either way, so I wouldn't be taking it as a given at this stage..... They told me yesterday as I had to have another ultrasound that bubs was 7lb 13oz at 37 weeks, so thats a week ahead according to averages.... We shall see when bubs comes..... My mum didn't really have any trouble, I was 9lb 7oz, she was told that day that I was only going to be a 7 pounder!!!!! She was in labour for a total of 6 hours, I can only hope.... So don't stress, there's only so much that the medical profession can get exact and this isn't one of them, I don't think I have heard of anyone's late ultrasounds being correct..... And regardless of size it's about what you want and whats safe, and I would keep trying for the VBAC, they can't stop you from trying to achieve your dream...