baby getting too big??

[mrsbrunette]

Hi all, I have a question for all you knowledgeable mama's and mama's to-be. My sister totally wants a natural birth and is currently 40 weeks and 1 day. Her doctor is concerned that that this week she gained only 1 pound but measures 5 more centimeters around her stomach. According to her ultrasound, the baby is almost 9 lbs. She has been 3 cm for some time now and is 80% effaced. Her doc said she looks like she is going to go into labor any second.

However, the doctor said the baby is looking big (9 lbs) and that the bones are starting to ossify (harden). So now the doc wants to induce her in a few days. Can any of you all tell me if the bones starting to ossify is a reason to be concerned?

I had a natural birth and it was the best experience I have ever felt and I wish the same for her.

[AutumnAir]

It's impossible to accurately predict the weight of a baby before it's born, no matter what doctors tell you.
The baby might be 7 lb or 11 lb or any where in between. Likelihood is she'll grow a baby the right size for her body.
And about the bones - I haven't heard that one before! But my DD was born at 43 + 1 weeks. She was 8 lb 13 oz. The doctor I saw the day before she was born tried to scare me by telling me she was 10 lb. I said, okay, if she is that's the size she's supposed to be. And her bones were fine - not too sure what you mean by 'ossify' but even though DD was 3 weeks 'overdue' there was certainly no issue with this.
It sounds like yet another scare tactic to try to pressure women into unnecessary inductions, leading to iatrogenic c-sections leading to more $$ for the docs.

[EBeth0000]

DS was born 19 days past EDD and was 9 lbs. on the nose, there is no actual way for a Dr. to tell if a baby is "too big" They only way to tell is to attempt a trial of labor. Induction is not a good option for a large baby because it is more likely to make her need continuous fetal monitoring and other interventions that will keep her from moving and seeking the best positions to move out a big baby.

[mrsbrunette]

Originally Posted by EBeth0000

DS was born 19 days past EDD and was 9 lbs. on the nose, there is no actual way for a Dr. to tell if a baby is "too big" They only way to tell is to attempt a trial of labor. Induction is not a good option for a large baby because it is more likely to make her need continuous fetal monitoring and other interventions that will keep her from moving and seeking the best positions to move out a big baby.

oh i wish she would believe me if i just told her that but she wants medical literature to tell her so. are there any articles that you know of that i could show her what you are talking about? i wonder what i could google to find that?

[mrsbrunette]

Originally Posted by lisabeeprague

It's impossible to accurately predict the weight of a baby before it's born, no matter what doctors tell you.
The baby might be 7 lb or 11 lb or any where in between. Likelihood is she'll grow a baby the right size for her body.
And about the bones - I haven't heard that one before! But my DD was born at 43 + 1 weeks. She was 8 lb 13 oz. The doctor I saw the day before she was born tried to scare me by telling me she was 10 lb. I said, okay, if she is that's the size she's supposed to be. And her bones were fine - not too sure what you mean by 'ossify' but even though DD was 3 weeks 'overdue' there was certainly no issue with this.
It sounds like yet another scare tactic to try to pressure women into unnecessary inductions, leading to iatrogenic c-sections leading to more $$ for the docs.

wow 43 weeks! that is amazing. she had a friend that had a baby die at 42 weeks because she waited too long, or so she was told. so of course, she has horror stories of "what if's" playing in her mind. oh and i love your baby's name. i just noticed your baby is eleanor rose. my baby is eleanor reese.

[lifeguard]

There are references around (sorry don't have any myself) showing how inaccurate pre-birth sizing is through ultrasound & other means. I've heard +/-2lbs & I've also heard +/-15%. I'm sure if you did an internet search you'd be able to find something more concrete. There is also a TON of information that shows that induction (big baby or not) is more likely to lead to other interventions & c-sections.

[EBeth0000]

I would find a copy of Goer's "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" asap--she links to all studies where she gets her data at the end of each chapter, you will have all the resources you need if she is willing to listen

http://hencigoer.com/

[mama to 2 girls]

I never heard that one before! (about the bones) But as far as size...unless she had GD than her body will grow just the right size baby for her.

When I had dd1 they told me she was getting too big and induced me, which the most awful experience of my life. She weighed in at a whopping 8lbs!...I had ds 3mos. ago at home(I was exactly 41 weeks) and he was a little over 10lbs.!!! I really feel like going into her office (my previous OB/GYN) and shoving it in her face!

Just tell her to stick to her plan and not back down!

[mama2peyton]

I agree that the size estimates can be very inaccurate. Supposedly my DD was going to be a ten pounder, but she was only 7 lbs 7oz. I feel for your friend, my OB tried to pressure me into having an induction as well: Good luck to her!

[TzippityDoulah]

we called it "big baby syndrome" when I worked at the hospital. the OB would say the u/s showed a baby that was too big to they needed an inducton/section. do you now that NOT ONE of my clients had a baby over 8lbs except one - it was just over 8lbs. (I've had a lot of "big baby syndrome" clients.)

and the OB in the section has the gall to say about this woman's 7lbs 4 oz baby "wow she really is a big one!" um!?!? almost 2 lbs smaller than my smallest!

statistically anything between 6-9.5 is average. anything from 5-11.5 is not all that abnormal either. and I've certainly seen bigger with no problems.

as far as bones ossifying I'd be questioing that! if there is really a worry that it is already happening they should be sectioning that baby NOW! so it sounds to me like it's just one of those things people say to make a point that they want. I would be asking HOW and WHY they think this and really follow up on that. if nothng else let them hang themselves with their own noose, as they say.

I know this would be hearsay for you to tell her... but I dont have much else to offer but my experience. and the fact that it happened to me TWICE before I got smart enough to realize how rediculous it is. (I was young and stupid and apparently rather guliable.)

that said your sister still has to make the choice on her own. sadly sometimes we have to learn things the hard way. even though it's hard ot stand back and watch, sometimes that's all we can do.

[mrsbrunette]

Originally Posted by HennyPenny

we called it "big baby syndrome" when I worked at the hospital. the OB would say the u/s showed a baby that was too big to they needed an inducton/section. do you now that NOT ONE of my clients had a baby over 8lbs except one - it was just over 8lbs. (I've had a lot of "big baby syndrome" clients.)

and the OB in the section has the gall to say about this woman's 7lbs 4 oz baby "wow she really is a big one!" um!?!? almost 2 lbs smaller than my smallest!

statistically anything between 6-9.5 is average. anything from 5-11.5 is not all that abnormal either. and I've certainly seen bigger with no problems.

as far as bones ossifying I'd be questioing that! if there is really a worry that it is already happening they should be sectioning that baby NOW! so it sounds to me like it's just one of those things people say to make a point that they want. I would be asking HOW and WHY they think this and really follow up on that. if nothng else let them hang themselves with their own noose, as they say.

I know this would be hearsay for you to tell her... but I dont have much else to offer but my experience. and the fact that it happened to me TWICE before I got smart enough to realize how rediculous it is. (I was young and stupid and apparently rather guliable.)

that said your sister still has to make the choice on her own. sadly sometimes we have to learn things the hard way. even though it's hard ot stand back and watch, sometimes that's all we can do.

thanks for your input!

[mrsbrunette]

Originally Posted by mama2peyton

I agree that the size estimates can be very inaccurate. Supposedly my DD was going to be a ten pounder, but she was only 7 lbs 7oz. I feel for your friend, my OB tried to pressure me into having an induction as well: Good luck to her!

ha ha wow! that's the thing.. those machines are not always accurate. a friend of mine is pregnant and they told her that her baby was shrinking. later they admitted it was machine error. :

[mrsbrunette]

Originally Posted by lifeguard

There are references around (sorry don't have any myself) showing how inaccurate pre-birth sizing is through ultrasound & other means. I've heard +/-2lbs & I've also heard +/-15%. I'm sure if you did an internet search you'd be able to find something more concrete. There is also a TON of information that shows that induction (big baby or not) is more likely to lead to other interventions & c-sections.

im going to look into that.. thanks!

[mrsbrunette]

Originally Posted by EBeth0000

I would find a copy of Goer's "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" asap--she links to all studies where she gets her data at the end of each chapter, you will have all the resources you need if she is willing to listen

http://hencigoer.com/

yes yes asap.. thanks so much this is what i need!

[mrsbrunette]

Originally Posted by mama to 2 girls

I never heard that one before! (about the bones) But as far as size...unless she had GD than her body will grow just the right size baby for her.

When I had dd1 they told me she was getting too big and induced me, which the most awful experience of my life. She weighed in at a whopping 8lbs!...I had ds 3mos. ago at home(I was exactly 41 weeks) and he was a little over 10lbs.!!! I really feel like going into her office (my previous OB/GYN) and shoving it in her face!

Just tell her to stick to her plan and not back down!

yeah my first thought was GD but nope. i really think that as long as the baby is healthy then everything is fine.

[Devaskyla]

Big Baby & Induction article by Henci Goer
http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregna...,,8nbq,00.html

[kerikadi]

Her doctor is full of crap and a 9 pound baby is nothing to be worried about.

[turtlewomyn]

The American College of Obestetrics and Gynecology and the American Academy of Family Physicians both put out papers that recommend against induction or prophylactic c-section in any situation where the estimated fetal weight is under 5000g (so around eleven pounds) in healthy women (without GD).

I was coerced into a scheduled c-section for a baby that was 9lb8.5oz in 2005. I was told she was too big and I would never go into labor, it would be dangerous to have her and induction would not work.

3 years and six days later my cousin's wife gave birth vaginally to a baby 9lb7oz (it was induced at 41w3d) with absolutely no problems. I could have birthed my baby if only they would have let me. Women in my family birth big babies because our bodies were made to do so.

Google ACOG and fetal macrosomia and/or Shoulder dystocia for relevant literature.

[Mamja]

At my 35 week ultrasound they guessed my LO was 5 lbs 15 oz, give or take a whole POUND. So I was pretty surprised when I gave birth to a 6lb 9 oz baby! Everything I read said babies gain about half a pound a week during the third trimester, so she should have been about 7 and a half pounds. I might be one of the few people who wishes her baby was BIGGER, she seemed too tiny and fragile to me.

I was 9 lbs 4 oz and my mom had no trouble birthing me naturally. Back in those days she never had a single ultrasound, so there was no telling how big a baby was going to be. Yet plenty of women managed to birth big ones.

[alegna]

My ds was 43 weeks 5 days. Yes, my dates were correct.

-Angela