[Rusha]

I went to the ob/gyn today for the first of my weekly appointments til delivery.
He ordered a 2nd ultrasound...which is not good here, it means there is a problem. He says that my uterus is very large, and that the baby must be very large as well so they are going to check on it.
I AM SO SCARED and WORRIED!
I can't push out a huge baby!!

[Toban]

Don't worry too much. At least the doc is being proactive to see what he's "up against". I hope all goes well for you and baby.

[Frelle]

late U/S's arent always good at determining size, and your uterus might be large because of a lot of amniotic fluid, baby may have had a growth spurt. There are a lot of reasons. Ive measured as much as 4 1/2 weeks ahed of my weeks in this pregnancy. I have huge babies, so I expect a 9-10 pounder. But I had one last time too. Women's bodies can do more than docs give them credit for, dont let him scare you too much.

[Rusha]

I have an external measurement every time I get checked by my family doctor. Today was the first appointment with the OB/GYN, and he said that I was measuring large. He said it wasn't anything to worry about, and that he would schedule an ultrasound to see what was up. But I know from other people's experiences that a 2nd ultrasound is never good, it always means that something needs to be checked out. So, I am hoping that either the baby is a big one and I need a c-section, or that I am ahead of the game and the due date is wrong...and nothing else.
I gained 20 pounds since I saw my family MD 3 weeks ago, but this is mostly due to swelling...unless the baby is humungo already and has gained a whole bunch. But I had gained some and then lost some with swelling...it's the devil! I can't seem to win, no matter what I do.
In my heart of hearts, I think it's just that I am ahead of the dates they gave me. I don't know when I concieved, we had a lot of sex...and the period I had at the end of January was only 2 days, really light, and more like spotting...which is unusal for me. So, I could have gotten pregnant BEFORE Valentine's day, instead of after. I am hoping and praying that is what it is. I WANT MY BABY TO BE FINE!
Although, the OB/GYN put the little monitor up there on my belly and took the heartbeat and said that baby looks PERFECT so I am happy. And he/she is moving around like nuts, so I am sure it is all okay.
And on the brighter side...we get to find out if we are having a boy or a girl! YAY!

[Mary Beth]

You may have a big baby, you may have a lot of amniotic fluid, you may simply carry big, you may even have a due date miscalculation and really be due sooner than you expected (though at this late a date nothing can tell you that for sure).

Remember, the AVERAGE full-term baby is 7.5lbs. That means that its just as normal to have a baby who is 8.5lbs as to have one that is 6.5lbs. Women are built to deliver babies of various sizes.

And even if you're petite on the outside you could easily be like a friend of mine who isn't quite 5'1" and who wears size 3 clothes -- she had two babies who were each almost 10lbs without any excessive difficulty. And the babies on the larger end of the scale are apt to be healthier in many ways. They often catch on to nursing easier, don't develop jaundice as often, and have little difficulty maintaining their body heat when compared to the little 6-pounders.

If the ultrasound shows that you do indeed have a large baby, think about those blessings, remember that ultrasounds aren't always right, and take steps to get ready for it.

First and most important, plan to do whatever is possible to be able to use an upright birthing position. Specifically, plan to be able to squat. Compared even to the popular semi-sitting position squatting opens your pelvis wider, shortens the birth canal, and straightens the baby's path.

Do a squat right now. Then semi-sit on the bed and you can feel the difference in your body. Practice squatting regularly as you wait for labor to strengthen the muscles and get the joints ready.

Also, plan to use a birth ball, a low stool, or even the toilet during the labor before pushing starts. Keeping upright, and walking when you can will help you progress without stalling even if the baby is big.

[_Brandy_]

If you got pregnant after Valentines' day you would be due in November and would be due around the same time as me. Your ticker puts you ahead of that...

I wouldn't worry, OB/GYNs (in my experience) often do a late u/s. At least here they do, they seem to want to see for themselves (or so I think). I imagine it is much the same there as it is here (Alberta), you go to the OB at the end of a pregnancy only.

As for 'measuring big' or 'big baby' as per u/s, it isn't accurate. Genetics plays a huge part in how a baby 'measures'. For example, my DH is tall, I have always had tall babies, my babies have always measured ahead. I am very short and I am not proportioned as most are, I have a short body, long legs, so I don't have the space abdominally as other women and I measure all sorts of funky ways.

And regardless, your body is made to stretch, you hips spread, you tissues stretch. I wouldn't (personally) schedule a section based only on an u/s, why not try labour, it is healthier for mom and babe as long as you are both handling it well.

Good luck with it all and keep us updated!

[Mary Beth]

I definately agree with Brandy. There is no reason to panic.

Even if your baby is big, there is no way whatsoever to determine if the baby is too big for your pelvis other than to attempt labor. In the final month of pregnancy your joints loosen up and during labor the pelvis truly does open wider than it normally is to make your internal structure even roomier.

A late ultrasound has never been a big deal at any practice I've been cared for by. When you seem big they just like a look to make sure of things.

Until the last few decades women had no idea if their babies would be large or small. They just carried them and, except in very rare instances, delivered what they got. Women's bodies haven't had a massive failure in design in the last 40 years.

Labor with a large baby may or may not take a little longer. But its really not such a big deal. We are designed by God and nature to give birth and we can do it.

[~Cupcake~]

Don't worry! (((HUGS))) I had a third u/s at 35 weeks for the same reason and the baby was only 6lbs! He was just very long! But she also thought that I was big and maybe that the baby was bigger. I bet you it will all turn out fine! Think positive

[toby]

I agree with everyone else...try not to worry!! (((hugs))) Let us know how everything goes!

[AlaynasMommy]

If the baby is too large, they'll do a C-Section. That's what they said to me at least

[glasscandie]

I hope everything turns out OK! Generally, as long as you don't have a sugar problem or other medical issue, your body won't make a baby that's too large to deliver. *Generally* Keep us posted!