freaking out--10 pound baby?

[Anonymous]

Just went for my 35 week ultrasound and got hit with the news that my baby is ALREADY 7.5 pounds at 35 weeks. Technician suggested the baby would be 9.5-10 pounds at birth if I went at my due date.

now I am totally freaked out. My first was born at 8 pounds naturally (was 6.5 at a 37 week ultrasound) and I really don't want a c-section.

has anybody had a very large baby weight at week 35 and not had a very large baby at birth?

Without even knowing about the ultrasound, my doc mentioned last week inducing a week early (she doesn't think I will make it to due date anyway since its my second) but has anybody made that choice?

[Anonymous]

ultrasound weight measurements are frequently off by several pounds. i would not worry.

[amymard]

I'm a doula and a mom of two (one of which was born weighing 9lbs 14.5 ounces). I can't tell you how many times my clients have been told they are having HUUUUGE babies only to birth a 7 pounder. It makes me crazy. And it turns out, I was one who had a huge baby and he was delivered underwater, with about 35 minutes of pushing and superficial tearing that required just one stitch. Please don't let your doctors make you nervous about birth weight. If it really is an issue, you'll be able to make some decisions about how you deiiver once you're actually in labor. Our bodies are meant to do this birthing thing.
And of course, inducing increases your chances of delivering by c-section so if you want to avoid that, I'd avoid an early induction.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who was told her baby was going to be really big and she was induced at 41weeks 1 day because they didnt want her to go any longer because of the size. The baby was only 9 lbs (a week late, so really, not that bad).

I on the other hand was induced 4 days early for high BP and they were estimating my baby to be 7-8 lbs via ultrasound measurements that morning. Well, 24 hours later when I delivered, she was 9 lbs 10oz.

In summary, those ultrasound measurements dont mean anything.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and pp here again. I had a vaginal delivery and I'm not that big. So it can be done

[Anonymous]

I had a 9 lbs 1 oz baby four days after my due date. Delivered vaginally after only 18 minutes of pushing and with only a very minor tear. I was a 10 lbs 9 oz baby and my mom delivered me vaginally. Some women just have big babies and our bodies can handle it.

But I also second what others have said - these ultrasound measurements are NOTORIOUSLY wrong. Don't let it stress you out.

[Anonymous]

Fat squishes. Your pelvis expands. Your baby's head conforms to the exit available. Mother Nature put a lot of thought into the design of both of you -- trust her.

[Anonymous]

Get this -- I had an ultrasound because they were concerned my baby might be measuring small. He ended up weighing 9 lbs 9 oz. Ultrasound is practically meaningless.

[Anonymous]

The women in my family are all average height and weight with narrow hips, yet we all have big babies...8-10 lbs. My first (and only so far, but I can't wait to do it again) was 9 lb 11 oz and I pushed him out fine after a LONG labor. Ignore the US so that you don't get all freaked out before hand and just think about how awesome it's going to be to impress people with your achievement afterwards.

[Anonymous]

OP i can understand your nervousness but as many PPs have said, those measurements can be off by a lot, and even if your baby is bigger than average, that doesn't mean you can't give birth to your baby! my close friend had a 10+ pound baby at home, with not a single tear. it's amazing what our bodies can do. i think so many women plan cesareans these days for 'suspected big baby' that we don't remember anymore how many of those babies would have been born vaginally just fine if given the chance. good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

My doctor doesn't do late term ultrasounds unless there's a problem because she thinks they only scare people about having big babies.

[Anonymous]

Ultrasounds are not meaningless. My boy was measuring big at 35 weeks, and because his head was also big, my OB doc suggested c-section. Finally, he was born by scheduled c-section at 40 w. He weighed 9.13 lbs and his head was, and is still big. Handsome and explorer.

[Anonymous]

I had an ultrasound that predicted a 9lb baby. I birthed a 7 lb 10 ounce baby naturally. I don't think US are accurate for size.

[Anonymous]

i had an ultrasound at 41 weeks to check amniotic fluid levels, and the tech who did my ultrasound said that late in pregnancy, it's often pretty hard to get accurate measurements of any part of the baby because they're so squished up in there. my daughter was measuring at 37-38 weeks despite being 41 weeks and the tech said she would probably be a smallish baby - like 7.5 pounds. she came out at 8 pounds 4 oz and i pushed her out just fine.

[Anonymous]

#1 was one week early, 8lbs 2oz, 1hr 45 min of pushing, one small tear in labia, 2 stitches. #2 was one week late, 9lbs 2oz, 11 minutes of pushing, no tears. Both natural births.