Baby's head measuring big - cause for concern????

[Anonymous]

I'm towards the end of my pregnancy (approx 35 weeks) and for the first time in several months, I had a sonogram. Everything looked great, but the head is measuring almost 3 weeks ahead. For me this just flagged the prospect of a difficult delivery, but now that I consulted the internet, it appears there are other concerns that accompany a large head (fluid around the brain etc.). I should note that my husband has a large head, so the genetic explanation seems the most obvious, but I didn't explore this with my dr. because he didn't seem concerned, other than the implications the head size might have for delivery. Anyone know the scoop on big heads? Has anyone else been told their baby's head is measuring big? TIA

[Anonymous]

There is no way to know if it is a cause for concern. Sonograms are notoriously inaccurate in determining fetal size. There's just as good a chance that your baby's head is *not* big at all! Also, if you have an unmedicated delivery and move around a lot, and use an upright position for pushing, it can help eliminate any potential problems with the delivery which are typically associated with a bigger baby.

[Anonymous]

If your doctor isn't worried, try to relax.

Big heads run in my husband's family, and my baby had one, too! It's just as well I didn't know in advance (no late ultrasounds), as I might have worried. In the end, I pushed for a long time--and the midwife wanted me lying down because of the baby's heart rate, so that slowed things down. Baby came out after 3 hours of pushing, which I think is around the limit for most providers, although the midwife didn't seem disturbed by the length. Baby's didn't actually look much worse for the wear, possibly because the process was slow?

If you have the option, I definitely would suggest trying other positions for pushing if you can. Have you read "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth"? It is a great comfort for understanding the wonders of a woman's pelvis and how a baby can, indeed, fit.

On the bright side, assuming there are no health reasons for the possible large size (and the doctor doesn't seem concerned), it may just be that your baby has a well-developed brain! Mine was alert and interested in the world right away, which may or may not be at all related to head size...

[Anonymous]

OP here - just for the record, I very much doubt I'll be doing an unmedicated delivery, although I'll give it a chance at first - I'm giving myself permission to get an epidural if it seems right under the circumstances. I did, however, just start reading Ina May's book. I'll pay close attention to what she has to say.

[Anonymous]

My son's head measured big too. And his femur was measuring short. So I consulted the internet and freaked myself out about Down Syndrome possibilities.

Well, upon birth, his head was exactly in the 50th percentile and 3 years later it's still normal-sized.

Don't worry! (Easier said than done, right?)

[Anonymous]

4 of my girlfriends have been advised their babies were measuring big and their ob's talked them into c-sections. All 4 babies came out much smaller than predicted and a vaginal birth would have been possible all other things being equal. this doesn't mean they are wrong in your case, but since your Dr isn't concerned, you shouldn't be either. for what it's worth, my baby measured normal and his head was huge. off the charts huge. i delivered vaginally with the help on an epidural and my son grew into his head in a few months.

i know it's hard to relax but take a deep breath when you can. talk to your doc about your concerns if you think it will help--that's what they are there for.

happy holidays

[Anonymous]

My first has a big noggin. It measured big in utero, the doc was worried about it, tried to talk me into a scheduled c-section, etc. When he was born, yes there was a lot of intense pushing but I honestly believe it would've been rough no matter what. He was born 9 lbs 9 oz with a 99th percentile head!

My second baby was even bigger--9 lbs 14 oz but had a 50th percentile head. That birth was a breeze.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Fetal measurements are notoriously wrong - there is even an admitted margin of error of 25%. Yep, 25%.

Fwiw, they were scaring the heck out of me with these measurements when I was at the end of my term and telling me my baby was going to be over 10lbs - and with a big head.

She was 8lbs 9oz at birth - which happened at 41 weeks 3 days (vaginal birth). Big head? Sure - but I have one also