If you measured ahead, how big did your baby end up being?

[Blanca78]

I'm 34 weeks and had my checkup today. The doctor said I'm measuring 37 weeks and from palpation is guessing baby is 5.5 lbs (it's a mystery to me; I've only gained 10 pounds so far).

The doctor stressed that these measurements are not very accurate, but still, I guess I'm a little surprised.

If you measured ahead and/or were given larger-than-average guesses for your baby's size, how big did the baby end up being?

[bethanyclaire]

I measured ahead with all of my pregnancies. It varied every time but was usually 3 to 4 weeks (5 once or twice) ahead. Part was due to the babies position at the time and some probably has to do with my very long torso.

DS1 was 8lb 10oz

DD was 9lb 9 oz

DS2 was 9lb 15oz

Strangely enough, DS2 was the one I measured ahead the least often with, and he was the biggest. I was also quite a bit heavier with DS1 and DD and also gained more during my pregnancies with them. 

[Blanca78]

Thanks for sharing! I also have a long torso--wonder if that has anything to do with it. It's like the baby is spread out vertically or something, because I don't have much of a bump.

[Kedrosami]

It does have a lot to do with position! With my son I measured at 42 weeks when I was 37 weeks, only because of his position! He was breech and never "dropped" so the baby was just all out there. He was 7.13 at birth.

[2moms3kids]

DD1 was measuring 42 weeks at 37 weeks and was born at 38 weeks weighing 9lbs 1oz.

DD2 measured perfect the whole time (ultrasound at 33 weeks said she was 6lbs) and when she was born at 37 weeks, she was 8lbs.

It is not an exact science at all!

[JamieB]

I was consistently measuring 3 and 4 weeks ahead after about 30 weeks I think. My ds was 7lbs 12oz.

[foreignerforlife]

I can't answer your question, since my baby is still inside me, but after my OB tried to scare me with huge US measurements (4.6 pounds at 28 weeks, above the 95% percentile, and 5.0 pounds a week later), I went to another doc and got a second opinion. He said the baby's weight was within the normal range for his developmental stage (70-80% percentile, although I forgot to note the weight at that time). Now I'm at 34 weeks, and the second doc measured the baby at 5.9 pounds, also within the normal range. I almost want to have the first OB measure again, just to compare.

US is hugely inaccurate, and I am shocked to hear that anyone would even attempt a guess just using palpitation. What a joke! Except it's not funny, because it can make you worry about having a difficult birth. 

[Blanca78]

Sounds like our babies are both in the normal range!

I should probably clarify that I don't think my OB was trying to scare me. She emphasized that it was not an accurate estimate of size, but only gave us a general ballpark idea. She also said ultrasound is not accurate either, it just gives a different type of information than palpation. She didn't seem concerned at all about the size and stressed that a big baby doesn't mean a difficult birth--it's all about how the baby and mother fit together. She's seen little moms birth big babies no problem, and bigger moms struggle with smaller babies.

It's more just my own first-timer anxiety that prompted the question :) And surprise, as she was in 50% percentile at 20 weeks, and both my husband and I were perfectly average sized.

Originally Posted by foreignerforlife 

I can't answer your question, since my baby is still inside me, but after my OB tried to scare me with huge US measurements (4.6 pounds at 28 weeks, above the 95% percentile, and 5.0 pounds a week later), I went to another doc and got a second opinion. He said the baby's weight was within the normal range for his developmental stage (70-80% percentile, although I forgot to note the weight at that time). Now I'm at 34 weeks, and the second doc measured the baby at 5.9 pounds, also within the normal range. I almost want to have the first OB measure again, just to compare.

US is hugely inaccurate, and I am shocked to hear that anyone would even attempt a guess just using palpitation. What a joke! Except it's not funny, because it can make you worry about having a difficult birth. 

[Monkey Keeper]

Conversely, I never measured over 36cm, baby did not drop, and he was 9lb, 5oz and 22.5" at 41w2d!  I think FH is a very poor predictor of baby size.

ETA:  Oh, and I had polyhydramnios too!  And I'm a 5'6" size 8 not pregnant.  I just hide good sized babies well.

Edited by Monkey Keeper - 3/17/11 at 7:02pm

[Momsteader]

I have a very long torso and generally measure ahead, and all of mine have been 7.5-8.5 lbs. For me, I found US estimates to be VERY accurate (within ounces!) for the twins I carried. Had an US the day before and was only off an ounce or two on bigger baby and 3 or 4 on smaller babe. I imagine an experienced provider could give a 'guess' by palpation, but I'd not put a ton of stock in it at this point.

[camprunner]

I meansured huge with my second. I think it was something like 41 cm at 34 weeks. Midwife told me I was going to have a big baby. She was a chubby 7 lbs 6 oz and 18 inches long. I think I may have had a lot of water in there :)

[redpajama]

I wouldn't put *too* much stock in fundal height measurements as a predictor of the baby's size--it's relative to your body type, your amniotic fluid levels, the baby's station and position, and according to one study I read, to your position (lying flat, knees bent up, back slightly inclined, et cetera).  I would put *more* stock in your doctor's palpation, as he or she can account for some of these things, but it's still far from an exact science.

For what it's worth:

Measured "right on" with my first, doctor thought he felt "large," ultrasound suggested LGA, he was 9 lbs., 1 oz.

Measured "right on" with my second, midwife said she felt "average-sized," she was 10 lbs, 7 oz.

Didn't really measure with my third, midwife said she felt "not big," she was 10 lbs.

[PlayaMama]

i was four weeks ahead due to polyhydramnios and my dd was 7lbs 8oz.

[foreignerforlife]

@Blanca, I'm glad to hear your OB wasn't trying to scare you. I really felt like mine was, so that's why I am always touchy on this subject. She was telling me I should consider a C-section or being induced 2 weeks before my due date to avoid shoulder dystocia. That freaked me out. I agree with your OB that whether the birth is hard or not also depends on the mom, and not just on the baby's size. 

[Blanca78]

Originally Posted by foreignerforlife 

She was telling me I should consider a C-section or being induced 2 weeks before my due date to avoid shoulder dystocia.

Ridiculous! In Germany? I was assuming they were a little more natural-birth friendly there!

[tonttu]

Plus one thing , we should always remember , is , that all species are about survival and therefore it´s pretty safe to say , that nature will ensure , that a baby will usually (with the occasional exception , of course) be the right size to fit through it´s mother´s pelvis .

[SuburbanHippie]

I measured ahead toward the end of my last full pregnancy and DS ended up 10 lbs 12 oz and we had issues with shoulder dystocia.  Sometimes measuring ahead does mean big babies.  I'm really hoping that this baby isn't as big.  It was hell trying to push DS out.

[Blanca78]

Scary! (The dystocia). I hope you have a better experience this time around!

Originally Posted by SuburbanHippie 

I measured ahead toward the end of my last full pregnancy and DS ended up 10 lbs 12 oz and we had issues with shoulder dystocia.  Sometimes measuring ahead does mean big babies.  I'm really hoping that this baby isn't as big.  It was hell trying to push DS out.

[Melly24]

I consistently measured 3 - 4 weeks ahead throughout and DS was 10lbs1oz. I birthed him at home with not even a tear.