Big Fetus

[Anonymous]

OP, please keep this facts in mind:

The size of your husband doesn't mean anything

Ultrasound sizing is often OFF. I would say they're almost misleading.

Tearing is a combination of lenght of labor + your ability to stretch (add all the massages you can get prior and during labor) + size of the baby + positioning during delivery.

Don't be sad just because the US said you're having a big baby.

[Anonymous]

"Conclusion: Epidural analgesia is associated with an increase in severe perineal trauma as a result
of an associated threefold increased risk of instrument use. Instrument use in vaginal delivery more
than triples the risk of severe perineal laceration. ( J Am Board Fam Pract 2003;16:1– 6.)"
From: http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/reprint/16/1/1.pdf

"Previous research has shown that coached pushing is associated with poor perinatal outcomes when an epidural is used."
From http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/pmc/articles/PMC1595290/

"The lateral position for birth was protective, and use of oils or lubricants and the lithotomy position increased lacerations."
http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/jnm/article/PII0091218296000420/abstract

[Anonymous]

My son was only 8 lbs, but had a huge head. If I had known what a larger than average head does during birth, I would have volunteered for a section...

[Anonymous]

I for one would prefer to chance tearing than guarantee a C section, but to each her own. I ended up giving birth to a 9 lb even baby, with one stitch only, in about 30 minutes of fairly easy, controlled pushing. And the size was a surprise, I am 5'2, petite, and was 6 lbs 2 oz and birth and my husband under 7 lbs, and I was measuring a bit SMALL according to fundal height. I'm glad the docs didn't know how big he was because I would have been scared into a c section, when I didn't need one. And they can be off. My coworker got a C section at 38 weeks due to large size (estimated around 8, 8 at 28 weeks) when in reality her baby was just 7 lbs and needed time in the NICU because of various problems (breathing).

[Anonymous]

PP here--meant 8,8 at 38 weeks (not 28!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At 37 weeks, I just had an ultrasound and the fetus is measuring 7 lb 12 oz. That is a big baby!

Not gestational, but husband was 10 lbs being born, but very proud our son has grown so much. I am in shock. Explains the waddling.

That sort of information should be disclosed prior to marriage.

Now I am glad he is breech and I am scheduled for a C-Section since he could come out over 9 lbs!

Sorry, but needed to vent a bit...

Please...they told me the same weight at 36 weeks and my baby was born at 40 weeks weighing 8 lbs, 3 oz. Those things are hardly ever right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My ultrasound was spot-on for size--had one at 36 weeks, my son was born at 37 and was almost 8 lbs. If he'd gone to 40 weeks---ouch! I had some tearing as it was.

Jesus people, OP posted just to vent--give her a break! Way to be supportive. Jerks.

How is saying that sonograms are inaccurate re: size not supportive? Perhaps people wanted to share their experiences and let OP know that the baby may NOT end up being too big (considering she wrote a post freaking out about its size)?

What exactly do you want people to say??

[Anonymous]

i agree. i think lots of misinformation about pregnancy and birth gets perpetuated because women are afraid to share their knowledge or experiences (for example knowledge or experiences that demonstrate that ultrasounds can lead to incorrect estimates of weight) for fear of being seen as unsupportive. while i agree we should be empathetic to each other and support each other's choices, i also don't think sharing information to help someone be more informed makes someone a jerk.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My ultrasound was spot-on for size--had one at 36 weeks, my son was born at 37 and was almost 8 lbs. If he'd gone to 40 weeks---ouch! I had some tearing as it was.

Jesus people, OP posted just to vent--give her a break! Way to be supportive. Jerks.

How is saying that sonograms are inaccurate re: size not supportive? Perhaps people wanted to share their experiences and let OP know that the baby may NOT end up being too big (considering she wrote a post freaking out about its size)?

What exactly do you want people to say??

[Anonymous]

Since you're having a c-section it really is a moot point. But keep in mind that even the biggest baby still seems pretty dang small once they place it in your arms and tell you you're 100% responsible

And Congratulations OP on being almost at the end. No matter how big or small your baby is, those last few weeks are just hard to get through.

[Anonymous]

Yes, measurements can be off. But remember, they can also be off the OTHER way. The day I had my son (via c-section due to breech presentation), I was told he measured 7 lb 12 oz via ultrasound. A couple hours later I delivered a 9 lb 10 oz boy. Thank goodness I had a c-section, for several reasons.

[Anonymous]

Even if the sonograms ARE right, doesn't necessarily matter. I had a 7lb 10oz baby at 37 weeks, and then a 10lb 8oz baby at 41 weeks. Two stitches each time -- no big deal. Size isn't the only factor, clearly.

I realize this is moot for the OP, since her baby is breech. Just throwing this out there since people tend to be afraid of big babies (I know I was, before I had my butterball!)

[Anonymous]

fetus at 37 weeks? you have a baby that is considered full term and you could go into labor tomorrow. chill out.

and, like everyone else said- the measurements are often way off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:fetus at 37 weeks? you have a baby that is considered full term and you could go into labor tomorrow.

It is a little odd that she's still referring to her baby as a fetus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:fetus at 37 weeks? you have a baby that is considered full term and you could go into labor tomorrow.

It is a little odd that she's still referring to her baby as a fetus.

I thought the same thing!!

[Anonymous]

sorry but until it comes out it's still a fetus.