thread: Are you given any clues as to the size of the baby?

  1. #1
    ravenmyst Guest

    Are you given any clues as to the size of the baby?

    Just wondering if when you're close to going into labour (or sooner) do you have any idea of how big your baby is going to be when born? I was told at my last ultrasound that the baby weighs over 700gms so I'm just wondering whether you know or not if you're going to have a big baby? Also if you put on weight during the pregnancy does that mean you are going to have a chubby bubby?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    In Bankworld with Barbara
    14,222

    The only way of knowing how big your baby is going to be is to give birth - simple as that. All the old wives tales about gaining heaps of weight = big baby etc are just that - old wives tales. Sometimes not even genetics is a factor - I know big people who've had small babies and small people who've had big ones - there is no rhyme nor reason to it. And u/s are notorious for getting weight estimates wrong by a long shot.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    May 2005
    Good ole NZ !!
    1,870

    Alexa was 6oz heavier than they estimated the day before & she was only 3lb 11at birth (she was prem)... so quite a large percentage out...

    I have also heard of alot of supposed large babies come outquite alot smaller!!!!

  4. #4
    BellyBelly Professional Support Panel

    Nov 2005
    QLD
    3,068

    Hi Ravenmyst

    Below is an extract from the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine

    Statement On Normal Ultrasonic Fetal Measurements
    June 1991, Reaffirmed May 1996, Revised May 2001

    No formula for estimating fetal weight has achieved an accuracy which enables us to recommend its use. It should be noted that errors are reported for one standard deviation only and that even at this level the accuracy is disappointing. BMUS suggest that there may be an improvement in accuracy of about 5% in using two rather than one parameter.



    It is commonly known that an estimated weight using ultrasound is usually very inaccurate

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Nov 2004
    Giving the gift of life to a friend..
    4,264

    They have no idea until bubs is on the scales!

    They just make an estimated guess (usually quite far out!)

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    351

    Smile

    hi ravenmyst

    My baby at 24w1d weighed 708 grams or 1lbs 8oz.
    At 28w1day he weighed 1127grams or 2lbs 8oz.

    Of course ultrasounds are just estimates as there is no way to really weigh the baby and the report says the estimate is taken from BPD+HC+AC+FL. (Bubs head circumference etc etc). Even if it is only an estimate I'm still happy and agree with it!

    How many weeks are you? I've put on 13kgs so far (gone from 50kg to 63kg as of last weigh in, im probably 64kg+ now!!) not intentionally of course! I dont know if my weight is contributing to the size of the baby but I'm hoping for a big bub as I'm being induced at 37 weeks for medical reasons.

    August x

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Aug 2004
    Melbourne
    970

    I have put on 9 kilos in total this pregnancy, and I am apparently having a big bubs so it doesn't always relate to your baby. Jackson weighed 6lb 6oz and he was born 2 weeks early, I put on 8 kilo with him - but was told he was going to be 9 - 10 pounder!!. This bub will be born 2 weeks early as well and I can feel that he is bigger than Jackson, his movements are so strong and take my breath away and his head feels like a basketball!! They are saying he will be between 7.5 to 8lbs, so I will let you know in a week how accurate that is!

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Melbourne
    4,895

    I had an u/s at 34 weeks and sonographer estimated bubs at that time to weigh 5lbs 3 oz. OBS said that based on this, but couldn't confirm for sure that if bubs is born at full term it should weigh 7.5lbs to 8lbs.
    I have put on 5 kgs during pg (am 37 wks 3 days)