What Makes a Baby Big In Utero?

[clavicula]

...carbs or protein?
i was lurking here on MDC and someone says its the carbs, someone says it is the protein (Brewer), even if you limit the sugar intake.
so, what is the truth, both?
looking for opinions, wise mamas!

[guestmama9911]

My midwife told me excess sugars. Gestational diabetes puts a strain on the baby's kidneys and can cause them to develop excess body fat. So I was told, at any rate

[roadfamily6now]

but if you dont have GD what contributes to a big baby.

My last one was 10lbs4oz and i did nothing different then with my last 4 (which were 7,12 to 8,14)

They keep getting bigger too which worries me. Will this one top 11lbs??

[clavicula]

Originally Posted by roadfamily6now

but if you dont have GD what contributes to a big baby.

My last one was 10lbs4oz and i did nothing different then with my last 4 (which were 7,12 to 8,14)

They keep getting bigger too which worries me. Will this one top 11lbs??

[GoddessKristie]

My midwife also told me to stay away from sugars because the thought this baby was going to be big. I do not have GD, so I'm certain it has nothing to do with that. I later told another midwife in my group that I was nervous about the size of the baby, and she also said that if I wanted to minimize it's weight (relatively speaking) I should limit my sugar intake, because excess sugars will cause the baby to put on more fat.

[SheSpeeds]

It's wise in pregnancy and when not-pregnant to eat a diet that has minimal refined sugars, white flour, and processed oils (hydrogenated for example). Avoid labels like: low fat, no fat, low carb, and anything with fake sugar in it. This isn't the time for processed foods. Saturated fat is proven to be essential for brain developement...so take the "home-made" route. There is no sense in attempting to influence the size of your baby via diet unless the size is contributed to excess christmas cookies and processed snacks. It's not the sugar from an apple-a-day or a tsp of honey in your tea that provokes GDB or big babies.

Here's my rule of thumb...if you saw a commercial for it, it likely isn't nutritious food. The almond, milk, or egg industries aren't spending mega bucks to promote their produce.

[GenomicsGirl]

I quite honestly thought that it was primarily genetics and not nutrition, that decided the size of your baby. Of course, extreme consumption, either way too low or way too much food, can cause fluctuations. But as an average eater, I thought you couldn't really control how big your baby was.

[DreamsInDigital]

Genetics does play the biggest role, you're definitely right about that.

[Cinder]

I was going to say I thought it was genetics.

My dd was 5lbs 9ounces and I was 5lbs 6ounces, my ds was 7lbs 7ounces and my dh was 7lbs 8ounces...

[goosysmom]

If genetics were really the issue I woud've had a small baby...LOL

The biggest baby back 3 generations on DH's family (his cousin just did a HUGE geneology) is 7lbs 2oz.

The biggest baby back at least 3 generation on my side is 6lbs 9oz.

DD was 8lbs 15.2oz....

I lost 20 lbs by my second trimester bc I was so sick and gained back 15 of them by the end. I did not have GD..just grew a big girl...

I have a theory that the shorter you are, the bigger your baby..ALl my friends who are 5'3/5'4 and under have babies who are 8lbs or bigger. All my friends who are 5'7 and taller have teeny babies (5lbers).....

At least, that's my theory...I would like my next one to not be quite as big.....but can't control that.

[ktmelody]

Blood flow has alot to do with it too.
High blood pressure usually causes restrictions. Also why smoking causes small babies sometimes too.
I think it is a combo of all 3. Genetics, blood flow and diet.
If you dont eat, I assume the baby wont grow to well either. If you overeat things like sugar etc. I assume the baby would be biggger.
Just my 2cents!

[meggles]

I've also heard that if you eat a lot of non-organic dairy, your baby can grow to be larger due to the hormones, etc. that they give the animals.

[GenomicsGirl]

Originally Posted by meggles

I've also heard that if you eat a lot of non-organic dairy, your baby can grow to be larger due to the hormones, etc. that they give the animals.

That whole statement just grosses me out

[LisainCalifornia]

I think the reason really varies. My friend Jess has the biggest babies--first two were over 10 pounds, and the last was over 11. Her diet is really healthy--she has not had unorganic milk in over a decade--so it is most certainly not the hormones in milk! For her it is part genetics...her mom and grandmother had huge babies too. She is really tall (so there goes the short theory!) and comes from what she calls "amazon German stock". She hardly eats sugar at all (puts me to shame!) and watches her diet all the time.

One midwife told her the reason was a combination of genetics and also "big uterus, big baby"--even if you are a short woman, if you have a larger sized uterus, then tends to fill it. Jess thinks her uterus is the size of Lake Tahoe!

[herbmama3-7]

How do you know if you have a big uterus? Anyway my midwife says she is ABSOLUTELY convinced that carbs, (refined and surgars) are the culprit for bigger babies. I beileve her, I am petite and had an 8# 2oz boy, I also CRAVED sugar and ate it a lot while pregnant: Anyway this time around I am really going to be careful, and not give in if I can help it!

[Redifer]

I think it's a split, just as adult size: genetics and diet.

Both my DH and I come from "breeding stock" (as we call it); the women have short, easy labors, and the babies are all healthy.

Our families also tend to have bigger babes. He was 11 lbs, I was 10. My sister was over 10 lbs.

So, I wasn't too shocked when I delivered a 9 lber. I also (mostly) abstained from sugar and carbs while pregnant with her. All I craved was fruit and veggies and turkey.

[PiePie]

REFINED carbs and sugars. So whole wheat is fine.

[tuansprincess]

I've also heard carbs add weight.

[torio]

This is just anecdotal, but in my family has a story that points to genetics making the biggest difference. My sister's first baby was 11lb. 12 oz. No kidding and she had a vaginal birth though she did struggle with shoulder dystocia. Her husband cheated and left her for the other woman who also became pregnant and had a BIG baby. The two girls (same dad, different moms) are about 1 year apart in age and look like identical twins. My sister later remarried and (on the same basic diet/lifestyle) had two 7 pound babies with her second husband.

[cjanelles]

I was just asking my husband that question last night.

I saw a rerun of "ER" yesterday in which the mom died during a birthing disaster that included shoulder dystocia because the babe was too big for vaginal birth...so, of course it made my mind start racing.

Thanks for asking!