How do they know? Big baby?

[Ahurani]

How do they know if your having a big baby?

I know there is growth scans and measuring. But I have a bit of a B gut. Im scared the baby will be a whopper.

Like can they just feel?

Wow I feel like a twat for asking

[Party-of-five]

the only way they really know its to catch it on the way out and plonk it on the scales
they dont know for sure...doctors told me Milly would be huge and she was 7lb9oz
don't listen to them scary doctors

[Arimeh]

Some experienced midwives are said to be great predictors of size, however I don't personally believe anyone can know exactly what weight your baby is going to be.

And I don't believe scans either - for reasons I've listed before.. LOL

And you know - even if it is a whopper, there is nothing to say that its a normal size for your baby to be and your body would have no issue pushing it out, it could be a 10 pounder with a 33cm head - which is fine if its nice and long!! I'd rather that than an 8 pound 10 with a 36.5cm head

[Ahurani]

Its more that Im scared Im going to have to push out a huge monster baby

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Im scared the baby will be a whopper.

I think a cheeseburger is more likely

[Trillian]

They can't know until your baby is on the scales how big it is. They can have a feel and get an idea of how big, but there is truly no way of knowing until they are born. I remember being checked out at 35wks by a Midwife who had a feel and said that bubs had big shoulders and 'felt' big, but then she went on to say I could be having a skun rabbit of a baby with broad shoulders.

ETA - I just want to say too, to let go of the fear of 'big babies' the baby will be what it will be and there is nothing you can do to change that. All babies require the same amount of effort to get them out - contractions are still the same regardless of the baby's size. There are just as many tiny babies that get stuck as there are big ones and there are just as many big babies as there are small babies that are birthed without a single drama. In the scheme of things, the size of the baby really does mean nothing at all. make sure you are supported properly during the birth and given enough time to birth and you will be fine!

[Ahurani]

ROFL so true, man your quick as.

[Ahurani]

Well at least on Friday when I ask the DR how big the baby is, Ill know the answer lol

[FabFiona]

I think a cheeseburger is more likely

Will you get fries with that?

My OB actually talked me out of having a growth scan on the basis that they are very inaccurate. Her view was that if I was told it was going to be a 'big' baby, that might put odd ideas in my head that I can't push it out and then impede a vaginal birth.

[PumpkinZulu]

Well at least on Friday when I ask the DR how big the baby is, Ill know the answer lol

Lol no you won't! I'll bet you ten cheeseburgers that whatever measurement a doctor will give you will be out by at least a pound

[Pandora]

What's big?
Full term Babies are generally the right size.
Mine were both over 10lb and I had two uncomplicated vaginal births with no question at any stage of either of them getting stuck.

It's a lot more about your baby being the right size for you, than for your carer's idea of big

[Ahurani]

I dont even know :/

I think it just stems from my fear of labour

[MrsFabuloso]

I have been told with each of my children that they are going to be rather large. Luckily for me it didn't worry me because I have a vaginal birth with all 3 of them and the biggest one was 4.1kg. I was told to expect him to be at least 4.5-5kg! That's a hgue difference in weights. DD I was told would be about 4kg, she was 3.6kg. DS2 I was told to expect at least 4.5kg, he was 3.8kg. So while by no means were they tiny babes, they were also nowhere near the sizes I was told to expect. With DS1, the doctor I saw was trying to push me to be induced and even consider a c/s. No way and no how was that happening unless one of our lives was actually in danger. But for someone less knowledgable or scared of giving birth naturally/vaginally, it might have made her truely consider a c/s which in my case would have been terribly sad because I have had awsome births with my DS's.

[Anila]

All my us told me how big my babies were and ALL my us were out by at least 2 pounds! They told me number 5 was a big boy going to be at least 12 pounds, well he looked small but weighed 8 pounds, so yeah, u will find out on d day and i agree with trillian.

[Arimeh]

I think it just stems from my fear of labour

I think you have to address this then my friend!!!! Have you read any birthing books? Not sure who in our group has my childbirth without fear book, but if they can send it to you I'm more than happy for you to borrow it for a bit

[Rowellen]

Its more that Im scared Im going to have to push out a huge monster baby

Maybe I can inspire you . My DS was 9lb 10. I'm 150cm (with shoes on ) and weighed 49kg pre-pg. There's a link in my sig to his birth story. If I can do it - anyone can!!!!

I reckon it's probably best if you don't ask how big the baby is. Just keep telling yourself she is just the right size to fit.

Good luck.

[Jakabella]

Don't let them scare you.. And when I figure out how I'll let you know!

[Sammiejane]

THey dont!
I was told that MJ was going to be really big and i had an extra scan - i also carry really big as well (roomy i call it)... MJ wasnt huge, 8 pound 6oz or 3.8kg.
They can only really guess and as the others have said, can be out by loads. A girl in my MG had a 12pound baby, they had NO idea that he was big!