Measuring big in 3rd trimester?

If you do find out that you have gestational diabetes, then that's one of the true reasons an estimated big baby ought to be closely watched, so I'll be hoping for you that you pass the glucose test! And remember what they say-- your body won't a grow a baby too big you can't birth! (Except for extremely rare situations and circumstances, of course), so have faith! I have a few online friends who have actually had homebirths of babies 10-11 lbs!

(The funny thing is that when they said how big the baby is, my husband got this big smile on his face and looked SO proud... easy for him to forget this baby still needs to come out someday! 

Aww, that's so cute!  When they measured my little one's arms and legs at his 18 week scan, the measurements were all ahead of the due date and DH was so happy.  Little guy already has long arms and legs like his dad!

Hee, at least they told you to fast for your glucose test!  I'd never had one done until I was um... 26, and nobody told me then that I needed to fast.  Surprise surprise, the results came back funny, and I had to redo it the next week. *giggles*  Anyways, hope it all goes smoothly and happily - I bet everything is peachykeen and fine! *shakes poms*

and also remember that a big baby isn't necessarily harder to birth...the head is the biggest, most painful part, right?  Well, extra 'weight' is going to be on the body of the baby as no one has fat on their head!  So technically, it's the same, right?

I don't know, they measured his head and even that is in the 99th percentile! He's just massive all over apparently. Ow ow ow...

I was really hoping for a home birth, but i guess will wait and see how the diabetes tests come out. That's reassuring that you can do a home birth even with a big baby! I admit, I'd be slightly more nervous about it if that's the case...

My stepmother had a c-section with my brother because he was too big, that's probably my worst fear... but I've been reading the other thread on c-sections and it's reassuring actually. (These forums are the best!)

Aww, that's so cute!  When they measured my little one's arms and legs at his 18 week scan, the measurements were all ahead of the due date and DH was so happy.  Little guy already has long arms and legs like his dad!

I showed this to my husband and he feels vindicated 
He's a big guy himself so yeah, I think he likes the idea of his son taking after him. I think he's already got a rugby kit picked out for him!

Hiya,

Just thought I would update -- I had my glucose test today and I don't have diabetes (yay!). They said the same thing, he's just a giant baby.

The nurse did say that if he continues to grow at this rate, they probably wouldn't induce labour early, but they would probably not want me to go past 40 weeks. I guess we'll see, I need to do some more research...

A tip for anyone who will have to take this test (this is the 3.5 hour one) -- if you're not feeling your best, it might be a good idea to have someone come along with you. After not eating for so long, then having blood drawn, I was pretty dizzy all morning!

Anyway, thanks again for all the good advice everyone!
cheers,
j

YAY for passing the diabetes test!!  You must be so pleased!

That's great news! If I were you, I would be firm in your feelings about letting your body and baby decide when it's time for labor. You get the final say, and instinct is definitely something you should listen to. Remember, first pregnancies, on average, last just over 41 weeks! And there's nothing wrong with having a big baby: big baby=good!

With my son, my doctor told me I HAD to be induced because the baby was OMGHUGE! (I was naive and didn't realize that  I was the one in charge and) and I wound up with an induction leading to fetal distress and a c-section, all of which was preventable if I'd listened to my body. My son was 8 lbs. 2 oz.  My second pregnancy was 43 weeks long and she was still only 8 lbs. 5 oz.!

I was told on my scan that my second son would be quite normal sized. He was 10 lb 3.

I was told on my scan that my second son would be quite normal sized. He was 10 lb 3.

   10 pounds!! May I ask, did you have any problems with delivery because of that?

Geeta, I am indeed well pleased! I hope all you ladies can avoid dealing with this as well.

BrokenS, thanks for the encouragement here! I definitely want to avoid an induction scenario if at all possible.

The thing is, I keep thinking about my stepmother when she had my brother -- he was two weeks late, and he was so giant by the time she went into labour that she had to have a c-section (she did labour naturally for 24 hours but he just was not coming out that way).
I think I'm going to have growth scans every two weeks now. So if they show that he continues to grow at a good rate (although again, knowing the measurements can be off) -- is it better to have an induction at 40 weeks, and hope that the initial drug leads to natural labour and no massive medical intervention -- or wait a couple more weeks for labour to start naturally, during which time presumably he might get even bigger and necessitate a section?

I know it's all guesswork, there's no way to be sure. I don't want to just blindly do whatever they suggest so I'm definitely going to do some more research.

At the same time I'm starting to get a bit freaked out by my GIANT belly! I know the scans could be off but it's kind of hard to believe looking at this massive bump...

Both my boys were 10 lb 3 of all things...both hurt like you wouldn't believe but both were natural.. Eldest was induced at 42 weeks and younger came on his own at 42 weeks.....I used to joke that I must be the grand canyon 

FWIW - I was told with my first son that he'd be ginormously huge, and he was 8lb 1oz. So I'm just adding my voice to the chorus of those saying that scans are only guesses, and not very good ones at that.

It's so crazy how far off ultrasounds can be, isn't it? And quite scary if they go off in the other direction (ie. predict 7 lbs, wind up with 5.5 lbs)!

Jenx, unless there's a sign of distress in mother or baby, it's pretty much always best to wait and let nature take its course. If you try an induction before your body and baby are ready, there is a high likelihood of a failed induction that could lead to a c-section (if they start talking induction, I strongly recommend you ask about your Bishop score (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_score) and use it to make an informed decision. Chances are, you'll go past 40 weeks as the average pregnancy does.

I know you're worried about the possibility of waiting allowing him to grow too big, but really, "too big" is quite rare. That, combined with how notoriously inaccurate ultrasounds are with estimating weight, especially in the third trimester, would set you up for a low chance of there actually being any problems. And don't forget that women birth big babies naturally all the time! And I know a big belly can be intimidating, but your fundal height is dependent on 3 main things: the baby's size, the amount of your amniotic fluid (which is directly affected by how hydrated you are!), and the baby's position. So small baby in a funky position in a well hydrated mom could mean a huge belly, while a huge baby that's way engaged in a not-so-hydrated mom would mean a smaller-looking belly.

You're right-- it's pretty much all guesswork until the baby is out. The decision is ultimately up to you, and I think it's really important to trust your intuition in pregnancy. For me, unless the non-stress tests and ultrasounds were showing that the baby was in some sort of distress, I would trust my body and tough it out until nature decided it was time. So if I were you, I would make sure you listen to your instincts, keep yourself well informed (ask lots of questions! Find out your Bishop score if they start tossing induction around as an idea, ask for statistics, etc.), and try your best to relax

jenx - just try and remember that your body will not grow a baby that you cannot deliver.  I once saw a home birth completely unmedicated for a 12lb baby!  Try not to let our modern perceptions of size and quote-too big-unquote scare you.

Thanks ladies!! I really appreciate the advice and reassurance. You're right, I should just relax and trust my instincts -- I find this is usually not hard to do, but anytime I spend hours at the hospital or midwives office, I end up totally unsure of myself. (That's kind of messed up when I think about it!)

Part of the problem is that I've never had to deal with medical issues before, and all these issues -- induction, home birth, etc -- seem like the biggest decisions in the world. I just don't want to make the wrong call and end up with something horrible happening. It does become easy to doubt my instincts when they are not really instincts but guesses.

On that note -- I'm really curious, since it does seem clear that all the measurements can be wildly off, why do the midwives and sonographers and everybody still place so much trust in them? By now I've had umpteen people look at my scan results and tell me I'm having a huge baby and not one person has said that maybe this won't happen. I mean, if these are all medical -- scientific -- people, then surely they should be swayed by evidence showing inaccuracy? Why do they keep freaking people like me out then?

Anyway, thanks again, you guys are the best! I'm having more appointments next week so I'll be sure to fortify myself with information first and not be too freaked out by anything they say