Is there any way of knowing how big my baby will be before it's born?

Question

I asked my doctor, and she said there was really no way of knowing until the baby is born. She says they give 3rd trimester ultrasound only if they feel the baby is measuring to big or too small. I just started to gain weight and I am 7 months. I put on 5 pounds so far, I just think that it is strange with all the technology we have today, more effort is not put into finding out the baby's size. A co-worker at work says her baby was so big, it got stuck in her pelvis, and they had to give her an episiotomy, that consequently tore her r****m. Her doctor then admitted she probably should have had a c-section. I am scared out of my mind-what if I have a 10 lb baby. Will they expect me to squeeze that out vaginally I have heard of baby's getting stuck in the canal and needing an emergency c-section. How common is this?

Answer 1

They measure the growth of your baby at antenatal checks - fundal hieght measurements! only if this doesnt match closely to how many wks pregnant you are would they have any reason to send you for a scan to see whether you are having a bigger than average baby!

At your antenatal checks they do measurements called fundal height mesurements  to see if your uterus is measuring bigger than the previous weeks and at a normal rate. the amount in cm it should measure should be around the amount of weeks pregnant you are - so if you are 35 weeks pregnant your uterus should be measuring about 35cm...altohugh they allow 2cm either way aswell so at 35wks prgnant it is usal to measure between 33-37cm

...BUT if it is measuring say 40cm at 35wks that can indictae your uterus is large and the baby might be large in which case they will send you for a growth scan

so technically they do monitor the growth and size of your baby - and if the measuring at the antenatal checks differs from how many wks you are they do send you for a growth scan ! but scan are expensive and so obviously they dont offer this every 2 wks to people who are pregnant - but every 2 wks they can do fundal height measurements using a measuring tape at antenatal checks as it is cheap!

http://www.justmommies.com/articles/fund...

Answer 2

When I was in pre-term labor  they had be get an ultrasound to see roughly how big my baby was, which they told me 4lb. 4oz. at 33 weeks. My daughter was born at 36 weeks (although she was 3 weeks early by their tests so really 37 weeks), and she weighed 7lbs 7oz.  So they were pretty much right with me, since I was really a week farther along.  But yet they told me that's not an accurate way of finding out, because they can be around 2lb's off.

Answer 3

Well idk why your doctor wont do the 3rd trimester sono, my Doctor is doing it to see how big my baby is...I have to have a c-section so i already know.  I have only gained 6lbs and I too am only 7 months don't worry it's normal, and my baby is too big!! It will be ok just keep pressing for that 3rd trimester sono, I bet they will eventually do it.  Just tell her that it is stressing you out.

Answer 4

Your doctor or midwife won't know for sure whether or not your baby is large until he is weighed at birth.

is not mean if you big.your baby big too.Probably not.

aim pregnant33 weeks now.....aim Vere big......aim not sure how is my baby,,,,,,,no one knowing

Answer 5

Thats strange.. Im 34 weeks and had 4 ultrasounds already. And I have another one next week.

My little one was 3 lbs 14 oz at my 30 week ultrasound.

Answer 6

I have a high risk pregnancy and have been getting weekly 3D ultrasounds done for the past 3 months. The Dr. measures the head, abdomen and the length of the femur to determine the exact size of the baby which in turn gives a gestational percentage and weight....right now I'm at 38 weeks my baby weighed in at 7lb 1oz

2 days ago.

I think these are only done in high risk cases though although I think that shouldn't be the case.....you're right...with this technology, why can't they do it for you and put your mind at ease?

Good luck to you...I hope your Dr. will give you some answers.

Answer 7

I am not sure but on my last visit at 40 weeks pregnant my ob check me and my cervix. She press and pushed on the baby and said that she thinks he will be 6-7 lbs. Not really sure why she said that and or how she knows, but she has been an ob for over 20 years so maybe she just has that experience.  

Answer 8

Sorry to tell you but even if they did have a way they wont do it for women having singal babies they give very little attention only whats needed Moms having twins or more get all the attention sorry to say and i know its true more screening more everything