Post by yourmother on Mar 27, 2015 13:42:22 GMT -5
Not sure what I'm looking for here. Please don't kick me while I'm down. I swear I will improve my situation.
I had a doctor's appointment today with Baby's specialist and the good news is that he is (finally) head down! He has hair on the back of his head and he yawned and opened his eyes during the sono. He's SO CUTE!
Not so great news...
Baby's weight gain has been consistently increasing (and not in a good way). Doc says that while he is healthy, his belly and head are VERY big and she made it a point to say that he is NOT the size of a 31 week baby. He's 4lb 8oz. Good news is that is body is proportionate, so nothing to worry about just yet. He's healthy and everything looks great. Her concerns were that because I'm petite, he may be a 9+ lb baby at his current growth pattern and that I may have to deliver C-section. She said this is either due to genetics (just found out my mom was an 8+ lb baby) or due to calories. No real way of knowing what the cause is, but doc kinda lectured me on modifying my diet (cut some carbs + cut sweets + eat leaner meats/veggies/fruits, etc.) and adding exercise to my daily routine (walking).
I'm just so embarrassed that I let myself go this much. My appetite has been out of control and I have been indulging in all of my cravings. I've literally let myself go. I've also been in denial and have no idea how much weight I've gained. I have two more months to go and am changing my eating habits IMMEDIATELY and will push myself to go to the gym more often for walking and swim aerobics.
I feel like I'm off to a bad start at being a good mother.
Post by imimahoney on Mar 27, 2015 13:52:38 GMT -5
Oh no no no. Do not feel guilty if you have a big baby, even though 9+ isn't even that big.
I gained 48 lbs at 38 weeks with my first and even then my son came out at 7.2 lbs. I am petite but just gain a crap ton of weight easily.
Some people have big babies and some have small babies which is in no way reflective of how much you actually gain. Also know that while u/s can be accurate they can also be off a lb or 2 in either direction.
The day I was induced with my son the tech said he was 9+. We'll they were very wrong.
Oh no no no. Do not feel guilty if you have a big baby, even though 9+ isn't even that big.
I gained 48 lbs at 38 weeks with my first and even then my son came out at 7.2 lbs. I am petite but just gain a crap ton of weight easily.
Some people have big babies and some have small babies which is in no way reflective of how much you actually gain. Also know that while u/s can be accurate they can also be off a lb or 2 in either direction.
The day I was induced with my son the tech said he was 9+. We'll they were very wrong.
Thank you for posting! This is helpful and encouraging!!!
Like imimahoney said, they can be very wrong. I have had to have growth ultrasounds every month for a different issue, and they've always told me that it is so hard to even guess at the weight so they don't even try. (They are measuring other things in my little girl's case - certain bones and things.) The margin of error is huge.
He's healthy and that is the important thing right now. I think it is great if you try to eat mindfully, but don't punish yourself or add extra stress to yourself in that way. At this point you can just start thinking of what things to eat that will be best for your baby and try to keep it positive that way, rather than thinking about what you shouldn't be eating.
Has the doctor mentioned your weight gain up until this point? I would imagine you are still in an okay place. Different women/babies follow different growth patterns during pregnancy too - your baby might be big now but then might slow down in his weight gain, you might have just had a bigger jump in the end of second tri, etc etc.
Did your doctor happen to tell you that those scan/prediction weights can be off by a pound or more? Mine was with my DS. They were predicting that he'd be almost 9lbs, and he arrived at a lovely 7lb 6oz.
Try not to worry about this. Scans can be off. Just take care of yourself and the baby - you're in the home stretch!
Post by spankswife on Mar 27, 2015 14:08:41 GMT -5
I am going through the same thing. At 31 weeks, DS was 5lbs 8 oz, and the girl kept asking me, are you sure you are only 31 weeks?!
Then last week at 34 weeks he was 7lbs 10 oz (!). The dr said "some babies are just fat, and yours is fat." Now I wasn't terribly offended bc this dr is kind of socially awkward, but it was still shocking. But he said everything was proportional, and looked fine. He is probably going to be around 10 lbs. I am having a c-section, bc I did with DD already, so I don't have the birthing/gettign stuck issues.
But all week long I've felt bad. I mean DH and my brother were both 9 lbs even, so maybe we just make big babies. But I just feel labeled. The dr wrote down he was macrosmic (big baby) and I also have high fluid. It could be bc my sugar levels were high (so of course I feel guilty about that), but I didn't fail the GD test. I've gained 25 lbs which I feel is fair.
It is hard not to feel guilty, but you know what, some babies are just big.
My baby measured big as well. I had monthly growth ultrasounds for high blood pressure and they did several extra since they found high amniotic fluid levels. His femur length was always right on but abdomen and especially head circumference were large (they use those numbers and some magic formula to estimate weight). He was measuring 3-4 weeks ahead. They estimated his weight to be 7 lb 7 oz at 35.5w which was >97 percentile. I was freaking out, especially about the head circumference. I asked every doc at the practice, plus the perinatologist (I had a consult for the polyhydramnios) about macrosomia (large baby) and macrocephaly (large head). My docs would never get as worked up as I thought they should be, lol.
Notably, one of the OBs in the group told me that unless the baby is estimated to be ridiculously large (like significantly over 10 lb), the lowest risk way to handle the pregnancy was to do nothing unusual, although they planned to have extra assistance at delivery in case of shoulder dystocia. The research I did actually validated this approach. Basically, studies have shown that outcomes are worse when the provider believes the baby to be big than outcomes when the baby actually *is* big. Also, ultrasounds are not very good tools for predicting size (margin of error is ~10%).
I encourage you to read these, they made me feel a lot better.
Anyway, my baby came on his own at 38w1d and he weighed 7lb 1oz, which was 6oz LESS than he was estimated to be 2.5 weeks prior. I had at least 8 growth ultrasounds and he measured big very consistently. All that worry, for naught.
ETA: I gained 30 lbs and ate pretty normally (for me). I don't think I "let myself go" or caused my baby to measure big.
Like imimahoney said, they can be very wrong. I have had to have growth ultrasounds every month for a different issue, and they've always told me that it is so hard to even guess at the weight so they don't even try. (They are measuring other things in my little girl's case - certain bones and things.) The margin of error is huge.
He's healthy and that is the important thing right now. I think it is great if you try to eat mindfully, but don't punish yourself or add extra stress to yourself in that way. At this point you can just start thinking of what things to eat that will be best for your baby and try to keep it positive that way, rather than thinking about what you shouldn't be eating.
Has the doctor mentioned your weight gain up until this point? I would imagine you are still in an okay place. Different women/babies follow different growth patterns during pregnancy too - your baby might be big now but then might slow down in his weight gain, you might have just had a bigger jump in the end of second tri, etc etc.
I have been in denial about my weight. I have no idea how much I've gained because I tell the nurse at my OBGYN office to not tell me. My OB hasn't mentioned my weight gain to me at all and I've taken that as a sign that I'm doing ok. She even made a comment a few weeks ago at "how cute" I looked. In my twisted way of thinking, I took that as a good sign that I could continue eating my little heart out.
I swear, I don't eat crazily while not pregnant. I've been on WW for years and managed my fast-food addiction pretty well. But, if I'm being honest, I've allowed my cravings to take over. Also, I've never had a sweet tooth and this pregnancy has REALLY changed that. I can't (okay, I CAN...but have chose not to) go a day w/o sweets. I'm changing this STAT!
Did your doctor happen to tell you that those scan/prediction weights can be off by a pound or more? Mine was with my DS. They were predicting that he'd be almost 9lbs, and he arrived at a lovely 7lb 6oz.
Try not to worry about this. Scans can be off. Just take care of yourself and the baby - you're in the home stretch!
She did not tell me about any variance in their measurements. Their sono equipment looks super high-tech. But, I will change my thinking and will consider that their measurements could very well be off.
I am going through the same thing. At 31 weeks, DS was 5lbs 8 oz, and the girl kept asking me, are you sure you are only 31 weeks?!
Then last week at 34 weeks he was 7lbs 10 oz (!). The dr said "some babies are just fat, and yours is fat." Now I wasn't terribly offended bc this dr is kind of socially awkward, but it was still shocking. But he said everything was proportional, and looked fine. He is probably going to be around 10 lbs. I am having a c-section, bc I did with DD already, so I don't have the birthing/gettign stuck issues.
But all week long I've felt bad. I mean DH and my brother were both 9 lbs even, so maybe we just make big babies. But I just feel labeled. The dr wrote down he was macrosmic (big baby) and I also have high fluid. It could be bc my sugar levels were high (so of course I feel guilty about that), but I didn't fail the GD test. I've gained 25 lbs which I feel is fair.
It is hard not to feel guilty, but you know what, some babies are just big.
Thanks for sharing this! Your doctor was very blunt! Gah!!! At least mine called my baby "chubby"...lmao!
She did say that his growth could very well be genetic.
I will say that my baby's picture is SOOOO CUTE with his fat cheeks!
My baby measured big as well. I had monthly growth ultrasounds for high blood pressure and they did several extra since they found high amniotic fluid levels. His femur length was always right on but abdomen and especially head circumference were large (they use those numbers and some magic formula to estimate weight). He was measuring 3-4 weeks ahead. They estimated his weight to be 7 lb 7 oz at 35.5w which was >97 percentile. I was freaking out, especially about the head circumference. I asked every doc at the practice, plus the perinatologist (I had a consult for the polyhydramnios) about macrosomia (large baby) and macrocephaly (large head). My docs would never get as worked up as I thought they should be, lol.
Notably, one of the OBs in the group told me that unless the baby is estimated to be ridiculously large (like significantly over 10 lb), the lowest risk way to handle the pregnancy was to do nothing unusual, although they planned to have extra assistance at delivery in case of shoulder dystocia. The research I did actually validated this approach. Basically, studies have shown that outcomes are worse when the provider believes the baby to be big than outcomes when the baby actually *is* big. Also, ultrasounds are not very good tools for predicting size (margin of error is ~10%).
I encourage you to read these, they made me feel a lot better.
Anyway, my baby came on his own at 38w1d and he weighed 7lb 1oz, which was 6oz LESS than he was estimated to be 2.5 weeks prior. I had at least 8 growth ultrasounds and he measured big very consistently. All that worry, for naught.
ETA: I gained 30 lbs and ate pretty normally (for me). I don't think I "let myself go" or caused my baby to measure big.
Thank you for posting those links. Checking them out now!
I am going through the same thing. At 31 weeks, DS was 5lbs 8 oz, and the girl kept asking me, are you sure you are only 31 weeks?!
Then last week at 34 weeks he was 7lbs 10 oz (!). The dr said "some babies are just fat, and yours is fat." Now I wasn't terribly offended bc this dr is kind of socially awkward, but it was still shocking. But he said everything was proportional, and looked fine. He is probably going to be around 10 lbs. I am having a c-section, bc I did with DD already, so I don't have the birthing/gettign stuck issues.
But all week long I've felt bad. I mean DH and my brother were both 9 lbs even, so maybe we just make big babies. But I just feel labeled. The dr wrote down he was macrosmic (big baby) and I also have high fluid. It could be bc my sugar levels were high (so of course I feel guilty about that), but I didn't fail the GD test. I've gained 25 lbs which I feel is fair.
It is hard not to feel guilty, but you know what, some babies are just big.
Thanks for sharing this! Your doctor was very blunt! Gah!!! At least mine called my baby "chubby"...lmao!
She did say that his growth could very well be genetic.
I will say that my baby's picture is SOOOO CUTE with his fat cheeks!
I agree. He is just kind of awkard (he is the neonatologist, not my OB). Like nerdy smart, can't talk to people. That's why I don't mind so much.
I agree about the chubby pics too!! I couldn't believe how chubby we was already!! And this time his thighs were so round! So cute!!! Although I really have to stop buying clothes until he comes, bc who know what size he will be!
Thanks for sharing this! Your doctor was very blunt! Gah!!! At least mine called my baby "chubby"...lmao!
She did say that his growth could very well be genetic.
I will say that my baby's picture is SOOOO CUTE with his fat cheeks!
I agree. He is just kind of awkard (he is the neonatologist, not my OB). Like nerdy smart, can't talk to people. That's why I don't mind so much.
I agree about the chubby pics too!! I couldn't believe how chubby we was already!! And this time his thighs were so round! So cute!!! Although I really have to stop buying clothes until he comes, bc who know what size he will be!
I need to forget about the "newborn" sized clothes, huh?!
My baby measured big as well. I had monthly growth ultrasounds for high blood pressure and they did several extra since they found high amniotic fluid levels. His femur length was always right on but abdomen and especially head circumference were large (they use those numbers and some magic formula to estimate weight). He was measuring 3-4 weeks ahead. They estimated his weight to be 7 lb 7 oz at 35.5w which was >97 percentile. I was freaking out, especially about the head circumference. I asked every doc at the practice, plus the perinatologist (I had a consult for the polyhydramnios) about macrosomia (large baby) and macrocephaly (large head). My docs would never get as worked up as I thought they should be, lol.
Notably, one of the OBs in the group told me that unless the baby is estimated to be ridiculously large (like significantly over 10 lb), the lowest risk way to handle the pregnancy was to do nothing unusual, although they planned to have extra assistance at delivery in case of shoulder dystocia. The research I did actually validated this approach. Basically, studies have shown that outcomes are worse when the provider believes the baby to be big than outcomes when the baby actually *is* big. Also, ultrasounds are not very good tools for predicting size (margin of error is ~10%).
I encourage you to read these, they made me feel a lot better.
Anyway, my baby came on his own at 38w1d and he weighed 7lb 1oz, which was 6oz LESS than he was estimated to be 2.5 weeks prior. I had at least 8 growth ultrasounds and he measured big very consistently. All that worry, for naught.
ETA: I gained 30 lbs and ate pretty normally (for me). I don't think I "let myself go" or caused my baby to measure big.
Thanks I saw this too!! It is so frustrating how off they can be! But I did see the same thing about worrying about it is riskier than letting it happen.
Like imimahoney said, they can be very wrong. I have had to have growth ultrasounds every month for a different issue, and they've always told me that it is so hard to even guess at the weight so they don't even try. (They are measuring other things in my little girl's case - certain bones and things.) The margin of error is huge.
He's healthy and that is the important thing right now. I think it is great if you try to eat mindfully, but don't punish yourself or add extra stress to yourself in that way. At this point you can just start thinking of what things to eat that will be best for your baby and try to keep it positive that way, rather than thinking about what you shouldn't be eating.
Has the doctor mentioned your weight gain up until this point? I would imagine you are still in an okay place. Different women/babies follow different growth patterns during pregnancy too - your baby might be big now but then might slow down in his weight gain, you might have just had a bigger jump in the end of second tri, etc etc.
I have been in denial about my weight. I have no idea how much I've gained because I tell the nurse at my OBGYN office to not tell me. My OB hasn't mentioned my weight gain to me at all and I've taken that as a sign that I'm doing ok. She even made a comment a few weeks ago at "how cute" I looked. In my twisted way of thinking, I took that as a good sign that I could continue eating my little heart out.
I swear, I don't eat crazily while not pregnant. I've been on WW for years and managed my fast-food addiction pretty well. But, if I'm being honest, I've allowed my cravings to take over. Also, I've never had a sweet tooth and this pregnancy has REALLY changed that. I can't (okay, I CAN...but have chose not to) go a day w/o sweets. I'm changing this STAT!
I'd still imagine that you're fine! I stopped looking when they weighed me a few weeks ago and have just tried not to worry about it. I figure they will mention it if there is an issue, so I think that is a smart approach.
I've gotten a real sweet tooth this third trimester, too! It's hard to stay in check when you're pregnant - everything is a little harder and then being less active on top of that just adds to it. Just don't stress over this too much - stress isn't good for you!
1. Don't beat yourself up! Pregnancy is often about survival mode. You did what you did and so have millions of others before you.
2. Look around you the next time you're in a busy area and ask yourself how many of these people had mothers who behaved perfectly during pregnancy. The answer is probably zero and for nearly all of them they turned out just fine!
You guys will be great, weight gain, c section, vaginal birth, drugs, no drugs, formula, breast milk - whatever!
DO NOT feel bad about your baby measuring big. there is nothing you did to cause it and you should not be made to feel bad.
first of all, even with high-tech equipment, ultrasound measurements and weight estimates are just that--ESTIMATES. and they're notoriously wrong. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to a scheduled primary c-section for macrosomia (aka big baby) and the baby comes out less than 8 pounds.
second of all, everyone gains weight differently. if your doctor is not concerned about your weight gain, don't you be concerned about it. I've seen people on this board who are athletes, working out multiple times a week, eating very healthy, and gaining weight on the high end of normal, which is HEALTHY for them. and my sister ate like shit for both her pregnancies and only gained 25-30 pounds. everyone is different.
third of all, some babies are just big, due to genetics. I was 9lb6oz when I was born (also 2 weeks late). I was small compared to my parents, aunts, uncles, who were all 10lb+. There's a good chance my kid will be big as well. but it was nothing to do with what my mom did while she was pregnant with me. she said she gained all her weight up front, and never gained another pound from 32 weeks on. she did not have gestational diabetes or anything.
DO NOT feel bad about your baby measuring big. there is nothing you did to cause it and you should not be made to feel bad.
first of all, even with high-tech equipment, ultrasound measurements and weight estimates are just that--ESTIMATES. and they're notoriously wrong. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to a scheduled primary c-section for macrosomia (aka big baby) and the baby comes out less than 8 pounds.
second of all, everyone gains weight differently. if your doctor is not concerned about your weight gain, don't you be concerned about it. I've seen people on this board who are athletes, working out multiple times a week, eating very healthy, and gaining weight on the high end of normal, which is HEALTHY for them. and my sister ate like shit for both her pregnancies and only gained 25-30 pounds. everyone is different.
third of all, some babies are just big, due to genetics. I was 9lb6oz when I was born (also 2 weeks late). I was small compared to my parents, aunts, uncles, who were all 10lb+. There's a good chance my kid will be big as well. but it was nothing to do with what my mom did while she was pregnant with me. she said she gained all her weight up front, and never gained another pound from 32 weeks on. she did not have gestational diabetes or anything.
Be kind to yourself. I gained approx a million pounds (61lbs) and my doctor mentioned that she was concerned about the baby getting too big. I was so upset. I honestly ate healthy and continued to work out and the weight continued to pile on. I felt so out of control. (My blood pressure was low, no crazy swelling and GD test was negative). I ended up having a perfectly average 8lb 4oz baby at 38 weeks and a super easy quick labor. I'm about 5 weeks pp and I'm down 46lbs. (Without doing anything). Honestly I think your body just does what it needs to do. My biggest regret during pregancy was how much I worried about my weight. I wish I could have relaxed and enjoyed it instead of freaking out about every pound I gained.
Post by starburst604 on Mar 28, 2015 5:51:42 GMT -5
I'm glad you posted this because the responses have been relieving for me to read as well. My weight gain has been on the higher side, but only one of the docs in my OB group has ever mentioned it. I had a growth scan yesterday that estimated a 5lb3oz baby at 32+5, (84th percentile with abdomen in 97%) then my appointment right after was with the weight nazi OB so I was nervous. But she seemed fine with how baby is growing (maybe she noticed my 6'5" husband and figured a big baby is a given?) and didn't mention my weight (thank god!). FWIW, I work out and taught fitness classes until 30 weeks and still I've gained a lot. Women all seem to gain so differently in pregnancy, and babies come in all sizes, I wish doctors wouldn't stress us out so much about this.
I gained 70 lbs with each pregnancy. DD1 was 8 lbs 11 ozs, and DD2 was 9 lbs, 14 ozs. Each baby was super healthy, and although I gained a lot of weight each time, I was too. It happens, nothing you can really do about it, but try harder. I was nauseated for my entire pregnancies, and the only thing that made it better was warm, buttery carbs. So it was either spend my entire pregnancy sick to my stomach or eat up. So i ate up. I lost the weight after both pregnancies (not right away by any means, and it involved a lot of hard work. But it can be done.
Don't let this get you down, and this does not make you a bad mom. You baby is going to be just fine. ((hugs)) trust me when I say that I know how much the weight gain can mess with your confidence. It will get better.
I'm a lurker here but went through this. I gained 38 lbs so not an enormous amount but was bullied the whole time to have a c-section. DH and I were both over 9 lbs and delivered via c-section. I kept refusing and they wouldn't let me go past my due date or schedule induction past due date.
The date after my due date they called with my c-section date but I woke up already in labor. I was able to deliver vaginally. It took over 3 hours of pushing and being cut 4 times but I did it. DS was 9 lbs with a head in the 99th percentile.
I am at a new practice that is much more supportive this pregnancy. DD measured 12 oz at my anatomy scan which is on the larger side already. They just said they'd monitor me but 9 lbs should be no issue this time.
My point is that you shouldn't let them bully you or make you feel bad about your baby's size. I cried so much last time but am so much happier with my new practice and wish I had done this sooner.
I had 1 nurse practitioner at MFM that completely freaked out over DD's size and insisted I do more tests because she was convinced I had GD. I did not. FTR I am also petite (5'3" and gained a total of 37lbs). DD measured big starting at the NT scan and consistently measured big at every ultrasound. And I had a ton (for all kinds of reasons, size being 1 of them).
Both MFM and my Ob offices discussed a million options with me. Each practitioner had a different opuon from inducing me as early as 37wks to waiting until 41 weeks; vaginal or c-section. It was overwhelming to say the least.
At 39+4 I had my last ultrasound (low AFI) and DD measured 9lb 2oz. I delivered at exactly 40 weeks. She was 9lb, 9oz, 20.5 inches long with a 14.5 inch head. In my case the estimates were very accurate. After pushing for 3 hours my OB gave me 2 options; vacuum or c-section. He urged me to try the vacuum first so I did and it was successful.
Just keep communication open with your docs. Try not to let them overwhelm you though and don't feel guilty or bad about your weight!
Not sure what I'm looking for here. Please don't kick me while I'm down. I swear I will improve my situation.
I had a doctor's appointment today with Baby's specialist and the good news is that he is (finally) head down! He has hair on the back of his head and he yawned and opened his eyes during the sono. He's SO CUTE!
Not so great news...
Baby's weight gain has been consistently increasing (and not in a good way). Doc says that while he is healthy, his belly and head are VERY big and she made it a point to say that he is NOT the size of a 31 week baby. He's 4lb 8oz. Good news is that is body is proportionate, so nothing to worry about just yet. He's healthy and everything looks great. Her concerns were that because I'm petite, he may be a 9+ lb baby at his current growth pattern and that I may have to deliver C-section. She said this is either due to genetics (just found out my mom was an 8+ lb baby) or due to calories. No real way of knowing what the cause is, but doc kinda lectured me on modifying my diet (cut some carbs + cut sweets + eat leaner meats/veggies/fruits, etc.) and adding exercise to my daily routine (walking).
I'm just so embarrassed that I let myself go this much. My appetite has been out of control and I have been indulging in all of my cravings. I've literally let myself go. I've also been in denial and have no idea how much weight I've gained. I have two more months to go and am changing my eating habits IMMEDIATELY and will push myself to go to the gym more often for walking and swim aerobics.
I feel like I'm off to a bad start at being a good mother.
Just bc the baby might be over 9lbs doesn't mean you will need a csection. I am 5'1 and had a 9lbs 13oz baby (my first) vaginally! I only gained 30lbs and had a huge baby and it didn't have GD, some babies are just big don't blame yourself!
I'm not from here but this was on the "recent posts" tab so forgive me for intruding.
I gained WAY more than my doctor advised (46lb the second time, I think?) and ended up with 5lb babies each time. In general, unless you have GD, eating doesn't have much to do with baby size. A lot of the equation is genetics.
Also FWIW a friend of mine is tiny- 5ft, 100lbs, small frame, and birthed her first, a 9.5 pound baby, with no issues. Your size doesn't prevent you from doing this , only the size of your pelvic opening would, and that doesn't have much to do with your overall size. HTH!
I'm a lurker here but went through this. I gained 38 lbs so not an enormous amount but was bullied the whole time to have a c-section. DH and I were both over 9 lbs and delivered via c-section. I kept refusing and they wouldn't let me go past my due date or schedule induction past due date.
The date after my due date they called with my c-section date but I woke up already in labor. I was able to deliver vaginally. It took over 3 hours of pushing and being cut 4 times but I did it. DS was 9 lbs with a head in the 99th percentile.
I am at a new practice that is much more supportive this pregnancy. DD measured 12 oz at my anatomy scan which is on the larger side already. They just said they'd monitor me but 9 lbs should be no issue this time.
My point is that you shouldn't let them bully you or make you feel bad about your baby's size. I cried so much last time but am so much happier with my new practice and wish I had done this sooner.
This is helpful! I was getting used to the idea of a potential CSection. What was your recovery like with being cut 4 times? Ouch!
I had 1 nurse practitioner at MFM that completely freaked out over DD's size and insisted I do more tests because she was convinced I had GD. I did not. FTR I am also petite (5'3" and gained a total of 37lbs). DD measured big starting at the NT scan and consistently measured big at every ultrasound. And I had a ton (for all kinds of reasons, size being 1 of them).
Both MFM and my Ob offices discussed a million options with me. Each practitioner had a different opuon from inducing me as early as 37wks to waiting until 41 weeks; vaginal or c-section. It was overwhelming to say the least.
At 39+4 I had my last ultrasound (low AFI) and DD measured 9lb 2oz. I delivered at exactly 40 weeks. She was 9lb, 9oz, 20.5 inches long with a 14.5 inch head. In my case the estimates were very accurate. After pushing for 3 hours my OB gave me 2 options; vacuum or c-section. He urged me to try the vacuum first so I did and it was successful.
Just keep communication open with your docs. Try not to let them overwhelm you though and don't feel guilty or bad about your weight!
This gives me hope that I'll have options to consider!
Not sure what I'm looking for here. Please don't kick me while I'm down. I swear I will improve my situation.
I had a doctor's appointment today with Baby's specialist and the good news is that he is (finally) head down! He has hair on the back of his head and he yawned and opened his eyes during the sono. He's SO CUTE!
Not so great news...
Baby's weight gain has been consistently increasing (and not in a good way). Doc says that while he is healthy, his belly and head are VERY big and she made it a point to say that he is NOT the size of a 31 week baby. He's 4lb 8oz. Good news is that is body is proportionate, so nothing to worry about just yet. He's healthy and everything looks great. Her concerns were that because I'm petite, he may be a 9+ lb baby at his current growth pattern and that I may have to deliver C-section. She said this is either due to genetics (just found out my mom was an 8+ lb baby) or due to calories. No real way of knowing what the cause is, but doc kinda lectured me on modifying my diet (cut some carbs + cut sweets + eat leaner meats/veggies/fruits, etc.) and adding exercise to my daily routine (walking).
I'm just so embarrassed that I let myself go this much. My appetite has been out of control and I have been indulging in all of my cravings. I've literally let myself go. I've also been in denial and have no idea how much weight I've gained. I have two more months to go and am changing my eating habits IMMEDIATELY and will push myself to go to the gym more often for walking and swim aerobics.
I feel like I'm off to a bad start at being a good mother.
Just bc the baby might be over 9lbs doesn't mean you will need a csection. I am 5'1 and had a 9lbs 13oz baby (my first) vaginally! I only gained 30lbs and had a huge baby and it didn't have GD, some babies are just big don't blame yourself!
I'm nervous to find out how much weight I've gained so far. I go in on Monday and am so nervous!