Family: 36 week ultrasound + doula meeting
Friday was my last ultrasound appointment! Since we’re pretty confident that two kiddos is our max, I really tried to take some time to savor the screen and watching our baby move -who is currently smashed up in there, so it’s harder to determine what body part is which- and enjoy the experience. That is, until the tech told me that she’s currently measuring 42 weeks for growth… off the charts!
(Her lips!)
“But everything looks healthy, right?” (My #1 priority was knowing that she looked ok, especially the VSD)
“The doctor will be coming in to talk to you, but from what I can tell, yes.”
The doctor came in, and proceeded to say, “You have a 10-pounder on the way. Maybe bigger.”
I was just like, “Ohhh ok, but how does the VSD look?”
He told me that it was still there, but extremely small, and then went back to say that the baby is huge, they might need to induce me, etc etc. I was just relieved to hear that she look healthy and growing, and I could sense the doctor’s trepidation at my lack of concern for the fact that the baby is “omg so big.” The only semi-downer about the situation: the birth center is 100% out and I’ll be delivering in Labor and Delivery at the hospital. I know I can still have a beautiful birth there, no matter how it occurs, but I was hoping for one true birth center experience. When we lived in Tucson, Tom wasn’t totally comfortable with the birth center because while it was on hospital property, it was a two-minute drive. Here, the birth center is IN the hospital, but I’ll be in Labor and Delivery since they’ll be continuously monitoring the baby’s heart rate and watching me since apparently I grow some big babies. 😉
I’m not sure if I’ve written about this, but I think my due date is off, which would make me almost 38 weeks instead of 37. I’ve been tracking my cycles for years, and I ovulate earlier than most. When I calculated my due date (using the online calculators and my conception//ovulation date), I got Oct 9. When they did my first ultrasound, they inputted October 16 based on the baby’s size at that time. So, the baby could just come “early” (which could also mean on time), or baby could also be 10 lbs+. We shall see. I’m interested to see what the midwife says about everything today. My goal is to go into the labor process, armed with as much knowledge as possible and do the best I can, and be ready/flexible if we need to go to plan B. I just want her to get here safely.. and um, all of my parts to be intact afterwards haha.
Saturday, our doula came over, and was incredibly reassuring. She gave us an idea of what to expect for a birth in L&D, lists for what we need to do to prepare + postpartum care ideas, and talked/answered questions for 2 hours. She said baby will come when she’s meant to come, which is true. I’m not going to let them induce me unless there’s a medical reason, and if anything, I may ask to get my membranes stripped at 39 weeks. (I got them stripped with Liv, and while it wasn’t a party, it certainly got the ball rolling.)
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? The doctor said growth estimates can be off by 15% in each direction, and I’ve head of women being told that their babies would be “too big” and went on to have perfectly normal-sized kiddos.
Either way, we’re so excited she’ll be here soon.
<3
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I don’t think doctors are all that God at estimating baby size. They wanted to do a c-section on a friend due to size (measured 9 pounds at 36 weeks according to the docs) and she ended up having a baby that was about 7 pounds. They thought my baby would be 6-7 pounds and she was 8lbs 12 oz, and though I’m small and she was my first I had her vaginally and she was completely healthy.
yessss! so awesome
I also ovulate early. My daughter was born at 39 w 4 d and she had 0 vernix and was over 8 lbs. I had to be induced because my water broke and I didn’t go into labor, but she was clearly ready. I wouldn’t let the doctor scare you, especially when it comes to that number. A friend in my Bradley class had a close friend elect to have a c-section based on a late US that put her baby at over 10 lbs. but the baby turned out to be around 8. If they start talking seriously about induction, look into Bishop scores. <3
awesome- thank you!!
Based on my last period, my due date with my son was late October. I was so excited to have a Halloween baby! Then I went for my first ultrasound and they bumped my due date up a whole month!! Here our doctors don’t like to let people go over ten days past their due date, but I begged my doctor to let me keep going because of the huge discrepancy. I really DID NOT want to be induced. Little man was 2.5 weeks late/early and came on his own. He was a perfect 8 pounds 14 ounces. Not really sure if he was actually late, or early, but what matters is that he was perfect and everything happened as it should
wow, that is amazing. and totally agree, everything unfolds as it should
They told me my little girl would be a “peanut” even minutes before she was delivered. She was nearly nine pounds! I think their estimates are exactly that- “estimates.” Don’t stress!
thank you! that’s good to hear 🙂
My doctor estimated I would not have a large baby (didn’t think I was capable as I’m small)… The day before my due date my water broke but no baby came. The next day (due date) I went to my Dr for my 40-week appt and since my water broke and no labor, they had to induce me to prevent infection. She clearly wasn’t ready (but had to be unfortunately) as it took over 13-hours of labor (3-1/2-hours active!!) for me to have an 8#, 7oz, 21-1/2″ little girl! Thank goodness I did not go the 2-weeks over they tend to let you these days or I wouldn’t have all my parts left 🙂
It’s all relative – I hope it goes as well as possible for you!
I had a home birth with my first baby who came 10-14 days late depending on whose calculation we used. He weighed 10 pounds 7 ounces. I had him naturally with no complications and no gestational diabetes. Babies come when they are ready and grow to a size that is right for your body. I think it’s very hard to predict how big a baby is before they are born. Trust in your body and its ability to birth a healthy baby when they are ready to come. Big babies sleep well and come out calm and confident. Good luck!
that is amazing! so happy to hear. thank you for the luck, too <3
Estimates can be way off. From measurements made on scans at 28/32/36 weeks I was estimated a 10.5-11lb baby so imagine my surprise when I met my little boy, all 7lb 9oz of him 😀
The posters above are correct, ultrasounds can definitely be wrong, especially later in the pregnancy. But having delivered many babies, I think it’s important to realize that the doctor is not necessarily worried that you will not be able to deliver naturally, but is also concerned about the possible bad outcomes for the baby. Macroscopic babies are at risk of shoulder dystocia (and everything bad that goes along with it), and hypoglycemia, among other things. That being said, it’s not necessarily a reason to be induced. Many women deliver large babies without complications. But it’s important to stay open minded about your birth plan, and go in with as much information as possible to have a safe delivery.