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 just gave birth to our second boy on September 11. I had a gestational diabetes diagnosis with this one, which was a total shocker at first since I have zero risk factors. I was able to control it with diet only. I felt like I was being prepped for a “big baby” due to that diagnosis. At my last ultrasound (which happened to be the morning of little man’s entry into the world), he measured 7lb, 4oz. They stripped my membranes at that visit (37 weeks, 5 days), and he was born later that night, weighing 7lb even. From what I understood, measurements in the third trimester can vary greatly. And just because it’s a big baby doesn’t necessarily mean that the baby will need a c-section to enter the world (that was initially my big concern with gestational diabetes). I had both boys in labor and delivery at the hospital. I was induced with the first. Both experiences were still quite amazing. Even in the hospital, you will find that there is still an eerily peaceful, spiritual and calming feeling (despite painful contractions) right before you meet your child for the first time. Good luck!!
I just gave birth on July 6th with my first. My doctor insisted that I was induced because my baby was at least 10 lbs. My “big” baby was 7.3 oz! Good luck she looks adorable!
My first baby was 10 days over and came out at 9lbs 2 oz. He was a c-section because of a previous surgery. My second was a c-section at 37 weeks and 2 days and she was 7lbs 11 oz. I hate to think of how big she would have been if she had cooked for as long as her brother!
Good luck with your little (or big) bun! I didn’t see your Friday post in my feed reader and I thought your little girl had shown up early.
Lots of love!
I was told at 36 weeks my baby was measuring 41 weeks and would be 10 pounds if I made it to my due date. Turns out I went past my due date by 6 days and my daughter was born 8 pounds 6 ounces. They were way off! They never talked about inducing me early due to size though!
I was told at 36 weeks with my 2nd daughter that she was already 7.5lbs, and that ended up being her exact birth weight 3 weeks later, so I’d estimate that my 36 week ultrasound was at least a pound high (probably more!).
Although, in defense of big babies, I was 9.5lbs at birth as a result of GD, and my 5’3″ 110lb mother delivered me vaginally with no probs! She actually said that it was a shorter labor with less tearing than she had with my 7lb sister!
that is awesome to hear. thank you!
I had an ultrasound on the day my son was born and they were off by more than 1 lb! Also, I looked / felt huge and the baby was only 6 lb, 12 oz, despite everything thinking he would be big. Long story short, take it with a grain of salt :). Good luck!!
Not to totally discount the doctor, but I’m with the doula on this one! I feel like they’re so quick to proclaim “huge baby”. At 37 weeks I was told I had a 8.5-9 lb and to be ready for struggle. My daughter was born a few days after 41 weeks under 8 lbs 🙂
Good luck!!
I just had my baby girl on Wednesday. I was induced because the baby was measuring too small and asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction was suspected. They told me my baby would be 5 lb at the most. I was induced and delivered a healthy 6 lb 7 oz baby girl. Normal size. They were wrong, way off.
happy to hear that everything turned out ok, and congratulations to you!! <3
I had a friend who was told her baby was “too big” (what does that even mean to begin with!? I don’t think our bodies would grow babies too big to come out) So she ended up induced, c-section, with a less than 6lb baby! In my experience, midwives are more accurate by feel of your belly than doctors are with an ultrasound! Sorry the birth center is out! Positive thoughts for a peaceful and healthy hospital birth!
i think so, too. the midwife told me today that third trimester ultrasounds for growth are pretty inaccurate. she said by how i look, and how my stomach feels, she thinks i’m measuring right on target, so we shall see
I was told the opposite I was tiny and I was going to have 5 pounder she was 7.5 pounds not huge nut certainly not tiny! Best of luck you look awesome!??
thank you, kelli! we’re really excited <3
She’s going to be perfect! I had my 3 babies early for various reasons, they all measured teeny tiny, which was scary and they were all 6 lbs or more. Your body knows what to do. Congrats, so exciting for your beautiful family!
thank you, peggy!
I think a womans body is amazing and will not grow a baby that you can’t birth. That being said they predicted my first son would be 10 lbs or more and they were pretty spot on. He was 9 lbs 7 oz so I do think there is a little truth in they predict.
i agree, and hope that’s the case here 😉
My OB offered to strip my membranes with Baby #2 but I declined. I dunno. I felt like there was no hurry and, although I was overdue, the baby was fine. In the end, she came when she was ready. The science is not precise, listen to that little voice. She’ll tell you what’s right 😉
<3 thank you, i definitely will
It was in the same situation with my second baby minus the big baby part. I never agreed with the dr about the due date. I swore they were two weeks off and they didn’t agree. She was due April 27. I said April 20 or sooner and boom she came on April 1….all 8 and half pounds. Just be ready!
wow! i have a feeling she’ll be here in the next couple of weeks 🙂
I had to respond to this since I’ve officially had the hugest babies (first was borderline GD, second was normal blood sugar). My first was measuring ahead but everything looked okay so they waited to induce me until 41 w 3 d. He was delivered c-section after 27 hours of labour! The section was from failure to progress not his size. He was 10.3 and 24 inches long! My second, just born in January, was measuring ahead and I had extra fluid so I was having ultrasounds every week after 34 weeks. At 37 weeks she flipped to become a footling breech, and my ob (team) decided to deliver her at 38 weeks (c section from placenta position/ risk of cord prolapse from extra fluid not size). At the ultrasound on Tuesday she was measured to be 9.12. She was born on Thursday and was 11.12. She was all the news in the maternity ward!! When I asked about the ultrasound being so off, my ob said they can’t get an accurate read once baby is so big. If it is a big baby, it’s blood sugar might be off so prepare yourself for that. People always say big babies are easy and mine have both been amazing sleepers and eaters! Also, I lost 27 lbs during my two days at the hospital! Best of luck!
whoaaaa that is amazing to hear. the doc did give me a heads up that if baby is over 9 lb 6 oz she’ll probably need her blood sugar tested. i didn’t know there was a risk of cord prolapse with extra fluid. my levels were high at the US.
thank you for the luck <3 xoxo
I gave birth in late July and had a really similar experience to you in terms of ultrasounds. My 37 week ultrasound showed a very big baby so I had a follow-up at 39 weeks and she was still measuring very big. In my case, the predictions were correct – she was born (vaginally) on her due date at 9 lbs 2 oz.
My doctor’s approach was “Some women can give birth to big babies with no problems, and some women need some help. We won’t know until you try.” I liked that approach because we left open all the options and I could prepare mentally for possibly needing interventions, but she also didn’t push anything on me. I found it was helpful to read a little about inductions and c-sections from reputable medical sources (not just random stuff on the internet) to ease my anxiety a little.
i really like that quote. and yes, i need to step away from dr google when it comes to that stuff haha. the midwife made me feel much better today because she said they know my pelvis is capable because i’ve already birthed a bigger baby, so hopefully that will be the case again
I was told at my last several appointments that is was measuring too small and even had a sonogram to make sure my son was growing. He was 9lbs 7oz. So, um, not small at all.
whoa, that is incredible!
Traditional doctors are always guessing. I went through the ringer with my hormone imbalances and never got a clear answer until I saw a naturopath. Like your doula said, it will happen when it’s meant to be. I’m totally convinced that traditional doctors push things too much which causes other complications. They’re always trying to cover themselves for liabilities.
i totally agree, which is why i like to mix eastern and western medicine in my care.
I was told my baby would be over 9 pounds. When I went 2 weeks
Over my due date and was induced at 42 weeks the same doctor who had predicted my baby would be huge was actually suprised when out came a 8 pound 5 ounce baby!
wow! that’s good to hear 🙂
When I was 15 my mom ended up pregnant so I actually remember this… but she went in at 39 weeks for an apt and they did the same scans, etc. you’ve had. they were actually very accurate. My brother measured over 10.5 lbs and BIG. Needless to say they sent her to the L&D, when he was born he weighed in at 11.4 and 23in long. My mom resisted at first, but was so grateful she listened to the doctor when it was all said and done.
wow, that is a big guy! even though it wasn’t what i was hoping for, i still really like l&d and hope to have a good experience there
She looks beautiful! For comparison, how big was Liv?
thank you! liv was 8 lb 6 oz
My advice would be 1) those weight estimates can be way off (ours was) so don’t let that get in your head, and 2) regardless of your location, it’s still YOU who will be handling the labor and birth, meaning while there will be a different surrounding than you expected, it’s still your miraculous one-in-a-lifetime experience and no one can take that away from you. It’s going to be great and soon enough you’ll be holding your sweet baby girl!
thank you, friend <3
With both of my pregnancies I though they were wrong about my due date by a week or so too. I have had friends who were told they would be giant and they were wrong
They way over estimated the size of my twins and underestimated the size of my single bub.
that’s what i’ve commonly heard. it will be interesting to see what happens!
I definitely wouldn’t let them induce me because of a “big baby”! I had a friend give birth to a 13 pounder with all her parts still intact 🙂 Your body knows what to do to get that baby out of there safe and sound. With our first my doctor estimated her weight to be about 8.5-9lbs. She was born weighing 7 lbs 13 ounces. Not completely off, but still on the smaller side than what she was estimated at. Hang in there, i’m sure the end is almost near!
that’s reassuring to hear!
Hi Gina-
I was told my son was going to be 11 lbs and was told I was going to be induced at 39 weeks. My son had other plans and my water broke 4 days before my induction date. He was only 7 lbs 15 oz so they were way off!
I was always told I was measuring small, and had a healthy 7 pounder at 38.5 weeks. U/S’s can be so off — I know it easier said than done, but try not to worry! I also had a natural delivery in the hospital (by choice — I’m kinda like Tom in the birth center thing), and it was totally fine. Once it’s happening, you’ll get in the zone 😉 Good luck!
So exciting! If you end up getting induced, demand the smallest amount of pitocin that they will give you. That stuff is crazy. It slammed the gas pedal down for me and it was not a good experience. I think getting the smallest dosage possible would help! Ask your midwive!
thank you- i definitely will. i’m hoping that i won’t have to go that route because pitocin usually means epidural, and that scares me so much.
So exciting! Hopefully she makes her debut soon!!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! I’m currently in week 34 with my first and your posts are so nice to read in preparation of the end of the pregnancy and the thoughts one has about labor and delivery. At my last ultra sound my ob told me a little anxiously little one was 3 weeks ahead in terms of weight. But as some comments before mentioned, the measurements via ultrasound are not necessarily accurate (my midwive told they can be 1.5 lbs off) and I know from my family of a long history of large babies that have been delivered vaginally and healthy nonetheless. And, same as you, I also think the calculated delivery date is too late based on my cycles before the conception. The human body and development cannot be perfectly measured. So I will also relax, wait and see when my baby decides to come 🙂 Good luck!
I love your outlook on pregnancy and childbirth! We really do know what’s best for ourself and our babies based on how we feel! Keep sticking with your gut! She is going to be healthy and beautiful!
At 40 weeks they told me my baby girl was a little over 8 lbs. I finally agreed to and and had a successful induction 17 days later where I gave birth to a perfectly healthy 7lb 9 oz baby. While ultrasounds are a great tool they are highly inaccurate estimating size after 20 weeks!
I love your outlook on pregnancy and childbirth! We as mommas truly do know what’s best for us and our babies just based on a feeling! Keep trusting your gut!
At 40 weeks they estimated my baby girl to be a little over 8lbs. 17 days later when I finally agreed to and had a successful induction I gave birth to a perfectly healthy 7lb 9oz baby and a good bit of that was due to being on IV fluids for two days. Ultrasounds are a great tool but highly inaccurate in size estimation after 20 weeks.
Good luck! I love that you have such a good birth team in place. Having a doula was the best decision I think I’ve ever made.
thank you! i’m so happy with our birth team. the midwives are great and our doula is seriously an angel. <3
I have very fast labors. With my first I was in labor for 6 hours. My second I was in labor for 4. My second was also 2 lbs bigger than my first and I had natural labors both times. With the exception that I got an epidural the second time, so I could have my daughter in the room with me until I pushed. (We are military as well and had no one to watch her) anyways…. with my second I was dilated at 3 cm for 3 weeks before baby came! And he came 2 weeks early. You may not need to have your membranes stripped because second prego’s move on a lot quicker than first. I know that’s not always the csse, but it was in my experience. My doc said that each labor is 30-50% quicker than the last one. We’ve decided not to have anymore as well and that I am thankful for because I am sure my labor would be insanely fast! And while that is nice in hindsight it’s super scary not knowing if you will make it to the hopital in time. Lol Good luck!
oh gosh. i can’t imagine having liv in the room with us while she’s born, even though it could definitely happen. i had to swab myself for strep b yesterday and she was there, and was like “what are you doing? can i see? why are you doing that?” hahah
it’s always nice to hear that second babies come faster! last time labor was LONG, so it would be so nice if that’s the case, even though it would also be nice to not give birth on the freeway 🙂
xoxo
My friend just delivered a 10.5lb baby boy naturally 6 months ago. They were sure he was 8ish lbs, turns out they were way wrong. A coworker delivered 9 and 10lbs babies naturally as well and she is TINY. In my sisters words (4 lbs feels the same as 8.5lbs) the sizes of her babies! I cannot wait to hear she has arrived! Regardless of her size I think you’ll do great!
that’s good to hear!!
I was induced at 42 weeks! I have tracked my cycles pretty spot on for years before conceiving our little guy and based on the test timing my due date was pretty accurate. A midwife would have let me go over 42 wks but I was too exhausted at that point. He ended up being 8.9 which was impressive because they said he’d be about 7. I often tell my husband that in retrospect I would have tried to go without induction because it is very unnatural and the contractions after multiple interventions come fast and hard.
that’s what i’ve heard with. the induction makes the contractions too painful to deal with without an epidural, and the epidural can sometimes stall labor
i would have done it at 42 weeks too, though! i can’t imagine being pregnant for 5 more weeks+
xoxo
Oh my, that is quite some news!! My brother was 12 lbs 13 oz (!!). No GD and she had him without a C-section (but with an epidural). Back then she had NO idea he would be so huge so it was quite a surprise . Apparently the doc told her she wasn’t pushing hard enough and to this day she does not like that man haha.
I was super worried about having a big baby as a result. My doc assured me that if my Mom could deliver a baby that size so could I. My body was made to do it!! I found that very reassuring but was also thankful when she turned out to be 7lb 5oz.
Also, I was induced due to some preeclampsia symptoms and everything went wonderfully! Quick labor and delivery…although I am a big epidural fan which I know you are not.
Good luck!! You’re made for this 🙂
almost 13 lbs! WOW. happy to hear you had an awesome birth.
it’s the needle! it scares the heck out of me.
thank you! <3
Totally understand! I really hate needles too…but I got over it pretty fast in that particular situation 🙂 I am seriously in awe of women who go without it…so impressive and bad ass! Sending positive vibes for a speedy and painless delivery in which all lady bits remain in tact!
my cousin was told her baby was too big and she needed to have a C-section. I sent her articles about how drs are often wrong and it’s probably safe to deliver naturally and felt kinda bad about it, because she did have the C section and it turns out her baby was huge. She’s still huge. Both her and my son are 1 and she’s 8 pounds heavier 😀
good luck to you!
I went in to labour with Sarah naturally at 39 weeks and she was 9lbs. I was induced with Noah on my due date due to my first child being stillborn at 41 weeks and he (Noah) was 7lbs 4oz. My first son, Braeden was 6lbs 9oz. Apparently I cooked big girls! lol Sarah is now 16 and 5’11” tall. We tease her that she started a new trend in our family because we have no idea where she got her height. 😉
Looking forward to your “she’s here!!” post. 🙂
<3
I was 4 days overdue, and they told me my son was probably only 7 pounds but “it was kinda like he was squished in like a pretzel.” They scheduled an induction, but stripped the membranes and that night I went into labor on my own. And it turns out yes, he WAS twisted up like a pretzel- he was 9.9, 22 inches long and had his arm wrapped around his body and came out that way- natural birth and no pain meds- only reason he came out was because I have a condition where my joints are hypermobile and my hips dislocated! It was a blast 😉
Praying for a safe and healthy delivery for you, all in God’s time! 🙂
that is amazing! i’m sure it was a lot of *fun* 😉
thank you <3
I was told my baby was too small! They gave us a big scare saying her head was in the 2nd percentile for size. We were getting so many ultrasounds so the slight changes in growth were a big concern. We learned those changes were just due to the ultrasounds being inaccurate. She was 6lb 11oz born at 39 weeks and in perfect health! With a perfectly normal sized head. 🙂 Just remind yourself that u/s are often inaccurate and don’t stress. What is meant to be will be.
that’s great to hear! thank you <3
i gave birth in a birthing center to a 9lb 2 oz 23 in long baby and came out just fine 😉 while its always possible to give birth to a 10 lb baby, it’s clearly all guesstimates. I don’t know why they try to frighten you into induction but it sounds like you’re ready to stand up for what you want 😉
yeah, unless there’s a medical reason, i’m just waiting it out to see what happens
With Wyatt, my doctor said he would be about 8 1/2 lbs and she was right! He was born (10 days late after being induced) and 8 lbs 7 ozs. I feel like #2 will be about the same size. But I guess there is no way to tell exactly.
I’ll add to everyone else’s comments that they can be way off when estimating baby’s size.
A friend of mine was told basically her entire pregnancy that her son was huge, like 9-10lbs, and he was a teeny 6 pounder when he was born! We all laughed when we finally got to meet him, “He’s so little!!! They’ve been telling you he was huge!!”
Good luck, she will be perfect no matter what 🙂
haha!
thank you <3
I was induced 4 days after my due date because they thought the baby was getting really big and having a vaginal birth was important to me. He was 9.5 lbs, but I tore the same as my friend who had a 7 pounder – so our bodies can handle/do incredible things!
wow, that’s good to hear!
The question is… How big do YOU think she will be? My midwife told me with my 3rd that moms are usually very close on their estimates. I guessed 9 1/2 on my 3rd and he was 9lbs 14oz. I think excellent nutrition is key to growing big babies…. I also gave birth to twins that were 7 lbs 10 oz & 7 lbs 14 oz and I told the nurse they’d be close to 8 lbs each… And I was right though no one believed me!
i think she’ll be 9 lb 6 oz. definitely bigger than liv was, but not anything over 10. it’s amazing that you were right each time!
10+ lbs oh my goodness! When I was pregnant with my twins I was carrying almost 13lbs of baby but there were 2 of them! Was Liv a big baby? I don’t recall her being that big. Either way as long as she’s healthy and no complications all is good! And big babies eat better and sleep well, too 🙂
liv was 8 lb 6 oz, so definitely bigger but not a 10-pounder haha.
that gives me hope. if she eats and sleeps well, i’ll be so happy haha
For what it’s worth, I have many friends who were able to deliver 10+ pound babies vaginally without complications (my mom even delivered my brother at over 10 lbs with no pain meds, in 1985, I’m always in awe of that fact). 8lbs 6oz wouldn’t even register for me a particularity big baby! I’ve got an amazing girlfriend who delivered her second baby at home with a midwife, only pushed for 15 minutes, and her boy was OVER 11 pounds at birth. So it’s absolutely possible!
If I remember correctly, biologically once the baby reaches a level of lung development they release a hormone that triggers labor. So inducing so early would have some risk as the baby isn’t physically ready to be born yet. Can you get a second opinion from another doctor in your practice if possible?
the good news is that my primary care providers are the midwives, and she basically laughed when i told her what the doctor said. (the doctor was at the ultrasound and genetic screening facility.) they have no plans to induce me, so that’s awesome 🙂
I’ve also tracked ovulation for years, and know that I ovulate on the early side. With my first, I basically ignored the due date they gave me based on LMP because I knew it wasn’t accurate. At my last ultrasound before he was born, the doctor (whom I love and trust) said he would probably be about eight pounds or a little more. He was born exactly a week early according to my due date based on ovulation and 10 days based on the OB’s due date. He was seven pounds and five ounces.
This time around, it’s the same scenario, except my baby has measured slightly large since the beginning, both via ultrasounds and my belly measurements. Once again, my due date based on ovulation is about four days earlier than the doctor’s based on LMP. I’m honestly expecting her to come between 10 days and two weeks early and be an average size. I don’t think I make big babies. We don’t have our last ultrasound for a few more weeks, but I’m definitely curious to see if her growth is in keeping with my thoughts. Even my doctor is quick to remind me that these measurements can be quite off this late in the game.
I’ll echo some of the other commentors; the ultrasound sizing is SO SO inaccurate! My doctor told me my baby would be at least 9 lbs, and she was as a perfectly healthy 7lbs6oz when I delivered her naturally at 41 weeks gestation. I’d be really weary about inducing so early, especially since the latest research says that even 38 weeks is now considered “early term” and has greater health risks for the baby. Not to mention the added risks of induction.
I was induced because they thought my baby was going to be huge and she ended up being 7 lb even. Good luck with you and your family!!
Love reading your blog and wishing you the best with your upcoming delivery! I was also told I was measuring ahead and the baby was going to be 10lbs or more. They scheduled me for an induction. The night before my induction my water broke and I went into labor on my own. I delivered a baby that was 8lbs 9oz. And all done 30 mins before my appt! You just never know how things will work out. I think you are taking a great approach and have a good mindset going into it.
The OB told me our baby would be big and suggested that I schedule a c-section. I ran straight to the midwives (at 36 weeks, I found a practice kind enough to take me as a transfer). At 39 1/2 weeks my water broke & I delivered a healthy baby girl — and she was 7lb 13oz. In my state, you can either deliver at a hospital or have a home birth. We opted for the hospital, but we spent months preparing for an unmedicated birth. We were blessed with a beautiful, unmedicated birth with no medical interventions. We also had a doula and I couldn’t have done it without her. Bottom line, the ultrasound size estimates can be inaccurate. Best wishes to you and your family!!
that is incredible. props to you for trusting your gut and going to another practice!