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I've just got back from my growth scan, due to worries that bub is too big. I'm 35 weeks today, and he's already measuring 3.2kgs, and a lot of the measurements I saw coming up were over 38 weeks. I'm so torn. I know the scan can be wrong. I know my midwife won't want me to go too far overdue, as DD was 4.2kgs at 41w5d. I don't want a huge baby, and I don't want to go overdue like last time, but I don't want induction either :(
What would you do?
Oh Teeki that's tough. I can't offer any useful advice except I know so many women who were confidently told they would give birth to big babies but when they were born they were not as big as they were supposed to be. Is there a 'limit' or deadline of days being overdue you could settle on with your midwife and the doctors? Something you feel comfortable with? And in the meantime read up on lots of positive induction stories in mental preparation?
I was told all along that my babe was big.. She was born 9lb2oz.. I went into labour on my own but then needed to be induced.. Were you induced with your DD?
Yes, I was induced at 11 days over with DD. It wasn't bad, I just really want to experience a totally natural birth and this is my last baby. I don't want to get that far again and have no choice.
I saw my midwife last Thursday and she said even though fundal measurements have always been big he doesn't actually palp big. So I think she was thinking it might just be a small difference. She said they'd start with s&s at 40 weeks, but I'm worried if she thinks he's DD's size at 38 weeks she'll want to start earlier. Then I'm worried the scan isn't dead on accurate, and if I go ahead and do something early he'll be small/right on average and it'll have been for nothing.
I had 2 growth scans 24w and 30 oddw as ob was convinced DD was big going on fundal measurements. My 20 weeks scan she did measure slightly bigger as she did in my other scans.
My DD arrived at 41weeks at 6 pound 1.... Go figure!
6 pound 1 is tiny, how do they get it so wrong?!
I think, I'm happy to keep going with nothing but at s&s at 40 weeks. I'll keep hoping he slows down a bit and do my best to get him engaged and ready to go, but I really don't want anything before 40 weeks.
I say you got one out that was bigger than average so why the worry for the next one? ;)
Fwiw - dd1 was supposed to be 10 pound 4 on a scan at 13 days over - she was taken out the next day at 8 pound 11.
I don't believe scans - especially if your kids are taller than average :)
This bub is measuring big as well. I also have a high level of fluid, though it was in the normal range at 34wks. I'm fully expecting a 4kg+ bub. That part doesn't phase me. Neither DH or I are small people. My issue is I don't want to go much past 39 weeks, because I'm in a lot of pain and struggling to cope emotionally. I also don't want an induction, but we'll work that out closer to the time.
what is your main concern? Size, timing or possible induction?
Are the measurements on length? My ds was so long at birth: 55 cm but was only 3.5 kg which was the same weight as dd who was only 51cm. He had a smaller head too and it was a lovely birth. As arimeh says, tall kids might measure big inside but doesn't mean they are 'big' babies.
My midwife thinks your body grows the baby to the perfect size and then the eject button is activated! Both mine were 3.5kg and one at 38w next one at 40w. You might find you go into labour earlier than last time if he's big, but you have done it before, so I would put faith in your body.
I would view the scan measurements with caution. My bridesmaid gave birth to her 'huge' baby at 39 weeks last month. He was 7lb6 - had she got to 40 weeks he would have still been in the 'normal' range.
It's really just an estimate of size, the baby is scrunched up in there so it's far from a perfectly accurate measurement
my second baby was almost 5kg, and 1.3 kg more than my first, but was a much easier labour and birth. he was in a better position, I was free to move around and my Labour was not induced /augmented. so, larger baby does not necessarily mean harder birth.
I am still hoping that #3 is not bigger than DS though.
I had weekly osteo and accupunture to avoid an induction...it worked!
Thanks everyone. After reading the replies, talking to DH and having a good think, I think I'm more concerned about induction than a bigger baby. DD was 9lp5.5oz and I had no tears or anything. This time I do trust my midwife and she's so much more supportive than the rotating staff I had last time. She knows how much I want to avoid induction, and knows I can birth a bigger baby well.
So, I think I'm ok to just take these measurements with a grain of salt (I've only been given the weight estimate, no idea about height or how she got to that guess). And I'm happy to do nothing until 40 weeks and then only the minimum. I don't think I'll be pressured into anything which was my first concern. But I'll be working on sitting correctly, good posture, and will check out spinning babies again to get him in a good position - anything to help him along on his own!
L&B, I'm interested to hear about fluid levels too. My midwife said he doesn't feel big when she feels around for him, so I always thought the "extra" could have been fluid or just the extra weight I carry (unfortunately there is a bit).
This might be a stupid thought, but would it be very bad to start epo now at 35 weeks rather than 36, to help my cervix get ready?
I was told tht my bub was going to be at least 4.2 kgs (3 ultrasounds after 30 weeks and the last one being 1 week before) He was born 3.5!
I think EPO would be fine to start now. are you taking RLT as well? Also, once you hit term I would look into massage if you can. I had a session that really helped my DD3 with position and the lady doing the prenatal massage said that if i wanted we could put together a program where she slowly builds towards a full induction massage close to term. I wasnt interested as all my babies tend to be short bakers anyway, but i thought it was a cool option nonetheless and might be worth considering :)
I'd start the epo and raspberry leaf too Teeki. I'm going to start RL at 30 weeks again.
Fwiw I wouldn't trust fundal measurements as law either. With dd they kept telling me she would be 7-7.5 pound. She was 8.3.
I'm scared of induction too.
I've been taking the RLT for a while now, and might start the epo tonight. DH will be happy, he keeps asking when he can do that :rofl:
Cassius, I'll look into if there's someone/somewhere here that does that kind of massage. I only know of one acupuncture place and don't know that I'd go there, even if I could bring myself to voluntarily have needles put in me lol.
I really just wish my appointment was sooner now, I might call tomorrow afternoon and see if the midwife has any thoughts on the results. The bonus of a one on one program I guess!
I was told DS1 and 2 would be giant babies. I had mild polyhydramniosis (excess fluid) with DS1 and he was a fairly big boy born too, at 4.1kg, but no where near the 5kg the doctor 'warned' me he would be. DS2 was also fairly big, at 3.9kg, but by no means abnormally large. They were both very long though, at 56cm and 57.5cm respectively, so I think part of why they were thinking they would be huge is because they were so tall.
I was told my baby was big (2 growth scans in late pregnancy), she was born 6 days early at just under 3kg. My smallest bubba and def not the big budha they had expected!!
DD wasn't heaps tall - 53cm. I didn't get told the height today.
You know what's so silly about all this? If it was anyone else I'd be objective, and saying don't stress, just wait. A girl on my fb booked in a c-section at 39 weeks because her baby would be big. I just kept saying to the screen you don't need to, they don't *know* he's big, I'm the same as you and I've birthed a big baby, you won't grow a baby that "doesn't fit" etc etc. But as soon as it's me I've gone and freaked myself out :(
keep in mind that the measurements for "size" are taken by measuring the femur, the girth of the bubs belly, and maybe one other thing - and using some formula to decipher how much they think they weigh - so if you have a tall bub, or they have pushed their little pot belly out at the time of the scan, you'll get big weight estimates. Trust your body, trust your midwife. you've birthed a big bub again - you can do it again
DD2 was estimated at 3.3kg at 33+5, she was born at 34+2 at 2.93kg, so still very large for gestation, but about 400g less then anticipated. She was very long, so I think that plays a huge part in the over estimation.
I was told DD1 was a big baby and I had a small pelvis and the two didn't go together. She ended up being 7lb, 13 oz, 49 cms long and was a forceps delivery. She was born four days earlier than her EDD.
Same situation with DD2 - told big baby, measuring way ahead on dates. I ignored them. Told the on we weren't going to be discussing size, it was no benefit to me. She was 9lb 2oz, 51 cms and no forceps. I think that my frame of mind was different because other than the natural concerns of birthing a large baby, I ignored the talk that worried me first time around and ultimately affected my frame of mind about my ability to give birth.
Ty to disregard the scan if you can :hug:
I never had growth scans, but by fundal height DS measured spot on and was 4.3kg. DD measured small and was 4kg.
Re induction techniques, the natural stuff, and even S&S, really only work if you're about to go anyway. I waited till 42 weeks with DD for a S&S and it did work, but I'm sure I must have been about to start anyway.
My 2c = try to do things that make you feel good and relaxed.
Absolutely!!! DS was supposed to be 'huge'. At 30 weeks he was measuring on the 97th %ile and everyone was doing a big panic. OMG you have GD, OMG you wont have a VB, OMG OMG OMG :wall: He was born at 7lb 14oz and before he was weighed they were still saying he was going to break 9lb :rolleyes:. Also if your sonographer isn't the best at what they are doing or measure slightly inaccurately it can make a big difference.:
Try and remember that 'they' don't always get it right and that you've got this, you can do it :hug:
Lovely to have you guys here to help me be rational :) I'm feeling so much better about it today, thanks everyone :)
Its so hard to keep your rational, logical head on when its about yourself.
I'm another one who will say I was told I had a HUUUUUUUGE baby with DD1, with specific concerns about the size of her head. DD1 was born 3.52kgs with a spot on average head size.
As for EPO and RLT, I agree with MadB that unless you're ready anyway, they are of no benefit. I took both with DDs 1 and 2 from 35 weeks. DD1 was 5 days over induced and DD2 was 9 days over natural. DD3 I didn't bother with anything and she was 8 days over. I think that's just how long I cook them for ;-) Having said that, if it makes you feel better to be doing something proactive, then go for it. Certainly not going to do any harm, and anything that helps you mentally and/or emotionally has to be just as good as a physical benefit.
I only had one measured by scan. She was average sized at 34 weeks, then 4.07 born. (at 40+12) My midwife was a bit surprised, I'd had a really small bump, and she said "Where were you hiding THAT?!"
But I'd had a really great birth with her, so I was quite looking forward to the same again, and I knew that chances were that number 2 would be a little bit bigger again. I was dead against induction. Like, not ever going to happen, not even at 42 weeks. My midwife wouldn't do a sweep until 41 weeks, she said something at the time that made me feel really pressured, I spoke to her two days later and burst into tears, and told her I felt under so much pressure, and she backed off, and then two days (and two sweeps!) later my baby was born. 4.22kg, so, you know, normal sized :D But again, really easy, really straightforward birth. Big doesn't necessarily mean bad. In fact, I've heard several people have a theory that bigger ones are easier as gravity just works a bit better. Or something. I don't get the science, I just spread the rumours :lol: