need some reassurance re: size of babies

[attached2mason]

Okay, this is so bizarre, I can't even believe I'm admitting to being worried about it . However, I need to get it out somewhere, so here I am

I had an U/S today at 34w3d. Estimated weight of the two boys is 7lb6oz and 6lb13oz. I am so grateful they are growing so well and that I am still pregnant with no signs of labour yet. What more could a mama ask for, really? However, the paranoid mama in me is worried that because they are so big they will come early and then will be underdeveloped lung-wise.

If another mom was asking this question I'd likely tell them to remember the estimates can be way off and that the babies know what they are doing and it will all be just fine . . .but I'm worried anyway

Thoughts?

[Gena 22]

Dear God, those are some big babes. Seriously, if those sizes are right, you are off the charts. Even with a singleton those would be big babes. Are those sizes in line with the other u/s s? Was this a new tech?

Here's an interesting although small sample size chart re sizes:

http://twinstuff.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=17480

Basically, I'm saying there's no way those weights are right. The good news is that your twins are growing well. Who knows how well.

My u/s weights estimated my girls were 1/2 - 1 lb heavier than reality in the third trimester.

So take those numbers, know a pound off (or more) and count your blessings!

[4Marmalade]

I agree with Gena 22 and think you should listen to your own little voice At 35 weeks an ultrasound estimated my twins to be 6lbs. I carried them for two more weeks and when they were born ds was only 5-1/2 lbs and dd was just over 6lbs.

But, I know what it's like to worry. Comes with the territory

[Lolagirl]

Originally Posted by Gena 22

Basically, I'm saying there's no way those weights are right. The good news is that your twins are growing well. Who knows how well.

Count me in as skeptical about the reliability of ultrasounds for predicting fetal weight/size.

My twins were also estimated to be rather large babies by ultrasound at around 35 weeks. A was supposed to be just over 7 lbs at that point, and B was supposedly around or over 7 1/2 lbs. Two weeks later they were born at 6lbs, 6oz and 5lbs, 10 oz respectively. So, yeah, the ultrasound estimate was clearly way off. Fwiw, B was and still is in the 95% for head circumference, so I'm assuming that was the main reason why the ultrasound was so far off.

Don't worry about it, and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

[Valerieg]

My u/s 10 days before birth overestimated the weights of my boys as well. They were born smaller than that estimate! So it had to be off by a pound or more.

Try to relax. You have healthy babies! And, I know people who have given birth to large twins. They didn't come early.

[verycozy]

My 36 week ultrasound, which happened to be a few hours before the babies were born, was way off, too--I think it overestimated by nearly a pound each.

Even if your babies really are that big it doesn't mean they'll necessarily come early.

Good luck!

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

Originally Posted by attached2mason

Okay, this is so bizarre, I can't even believe I'm admitting to being worried about it . However, I need to get it out somewhere, so here I am

I had an U/S today at 34w3d. Estimated weight of the two boys is 7lb6oz and 6lb13oz. I am so grateful they are growing so well and that I am still pregnant with no signs of labour yet. What more could a mama ask for, really? However, the paranoid mama in me is worried that because they are so big they will come early and then will be underdeveloped lung-wise.

If another mom was asking this question I'd likely tell them to remember the estimates can be way off and that the babies know what they are doing and it will all be just fine . . .but I'm worried anyway

Thoughts?

Soz thread crashing i don't really know the usual weights for twins but going by what i've read from mummies of multiples twins are usually smaller than singletons and my half sister Tazmin was born at 33 wks and weighed 4 lb. 8 oz and at that weight she was on the 50th centime for her weight (going by her time of birth)
ultrasounds are quite often wrong a friend of mine was told she her little boy would be tiny (5 lb. at most he was born at 37 wks and weighed 8 1/2 lb.) i've also had a friend who was told her baby was going to be huge at least 10 lb. her little boy weighed 7 lb. 14 oz

[Novella]

Originally Posted by attached2mason

If another mom was asking this question I'd likely tell them to remember the estimates can be way off and that the babies know what they are doing and it will all be just fine . . .but I'm worried anyway

Thoughts?

Yep! As you've said "nothing to worry about". Mother's bodies don't eject babies simply due to size/weight. It's one factor among many that cues that the pregnancy is over. I very much doubt it's even a leading factor. If weight had a lot to do with it, you either wouldn't have such a large range of newborn weights (term babies 5lb - 11.5lb), or, you would find that the weights correlated more to the sizes of the mothers.

Two anecdotal examples:
a couple of weeks before our boys were born, the maternal-fetal specialist OB estimated based on that day's US that they would be born at 5lb and 5.5lb. They were 7lb and 7.5lb.
On the other extreme, I know a mom who was advised to have an elective c-section due to her "huge" + 10lb baby. Babe was under 7.5lb.

[attached2mason]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The abundance of testing with this pregancy has given me far more to worry about than last time . . . testing breeds worry I think. I really appreciate the reassurance from everyone!

Novella, thank you in particular for this

If weight had a lot to do with it, you either wouldn't have such a large range of newborn weights (term babies 5lb - 11.5lb), or, you would find that the weights correlated more to the sizes of the mothers.

I'll be taking this advice (thanks Gena!)

So take those numbers, know a pound off (or more) and count your blessings!

[verycozy]

Originally Posted by attached2mason

The abundance of testing with this pregancy has given me far more to worry about than last time . . . testing breeds worry I think.