Isnt there anything they can do?

[38ithurts]

I am a thirty eight yr. old carrying my 6th child. My youngest is 10yrs old. I'm in my 34th week, I have gestational diabetes and I feel horrible. I went to the doctor yesterday and was hoping he would keep me but he didnt.They did a ultrasound and thay said I am carrying a big girl, her weight is about 8lbs. 9 ozs. They told me they cant induce for another 3 1/2 weeks. Im scareed cause just think how much she will weigh by then, not only that but shes breach. I am barely moving! Isnt there anything they can do?

[Helen72]

Gestational diabetes can lead to a larger than average baby if not kept under control.  Are you successful at keeping your sugar down with diet and exercise?  
I had GD as well and my nutricionist made me work hard on keeping my sugar in check.  Are you seeing a specialist for your GD?  If your sugar is out of control they should have put you on insulin long time ago.
I am sorry about GD, I know it's hard.

[carpediemforlife]

Let your baby stay in as long as possible!! Im a big believer in it.  I know how bad you feel. Im 37 wks and exhausted myself and I have a toddler at home. But Im a fan of letting nature tell you "when".  U/S arent always accurate.

[alikat1205]

my first daughter, they did ultrasound while i was in labor and decided she was over 10 pounds.  she was 9.4 lbs.  with the second, they also said she was near the 10 pound mark.  she was 8.10.   ultrasounds are not that accurate, especially in the last trimester.  it is possible that yours is not accurate either.  with your gd, and the fact that your baby is breech, has your doctor talked to you about a c/s.?  those are usually scheduled sometime after week 38, which is not THAT much longer for you.  if you have any problems, though see you dr. it may be necessary to have that baby early!  good luck!

[oceanv]

They took mine out by c-section at 37wks 1 day. So maybe they can do the same for you. I had complications though - she wasn't growing.

[adgal]

I agree with the others as well.  U/S is not 100% when predicting weight.  I was told up until about 30 weeks or so that I was having a big baby.  At 38 weeks I had another ultrasound and he was small.  He was born that night at only 4lb 14oz.  Now, that is an extreme case, so don't worry about your little one being too small.  For them to induce you right now would be wrong.  Your baby still has some development to do, such as lungs. Babies born this early certainly survive just fine, but can and often do face some extra challenges as newborns.  There is no better incubator then your womb. Either way, they won't risk you or the baby, so trust in your Dr.'s.  I have no doubt all is going to be just fine.  Good luck to you!

[kris71]

U/s can definitely be off. My sister wastold she was having a big baby and he was only 6lbs. I was told I was having a big baby and he was! 9lbs 5 oz. The last couple weeks are hard. I felt beyond huge, bloated. My feet were the size of basketballs. I couldn't even lay down from the reflux I had. Hang in there. All the uncomfortableness is worth it in
the end.

[KarenDiane]

I agree with the others. I really don't trust ultrasounds as far as estimating size. I've seen women freak out about having large babies who end up giving birth to little tiny 6 lb. babies. I think the size of your previous children is a much better indicator. How big were they and were you diabetic with them? It really is too early to induce labor. Your baby could end up having to stay in the NICU. Plus, if baby does remain breech, you'll be given a c-section and won't have to worry about pushing out a big baby. Also, from what I've read - babies gain an average of 8 oz. a week toward the end so you're looking at a baby right around 10 lbs. if the u/s is correct. I've had 2 ten pounders, it's not so bad.

[nola0805]

8 lbs, 9 oz is certainly big for 34 weeks, but momof8215 is right, ultrasounds can be so off when it comes to predicting weight.  I know that you are miserable and are desperate to get some relief as well as are worried about your baby's health, but trust me, the best and safest place for you baby is right where she is.  Given your diabetes, I am certain that your doctors are carefully monitoring your baby's size and health.  At 34 weeks, the baby's lungs have not finished developing and she may have breathing problems at birth.  Also, the digestive system is not completed nor is her ability to regulate her body temp.  As miserable as you are (and trust me I understand - I am 38 weeks with a potential 10 pounder and have to use a cane to walk), it may be worth a few more weeks of misery to ensure months and years of better health for your daughter.  

Try not to worry too much about her being breech, she still has time to turn, and if she does not then the worst case is a c-section, which they may want to do anyway if her size gets too big.  I know that with GD, the doctors do a fine dance between not taking babies too early and not letting them get too big.  So hopefully you have a good doctor.  I am sure that everything will work out okay and I wish you all the strength to make it through the next 3-6 weeks.  

[momof8215]

Well, not for nothing...Ultrasounds are not 100% when it comes to weight. I didn't have an ultrasound at all for my first but she weighed 10lbs 2 1/2 oz. My second child was 2 wks late and the ultrasound said he was only 8lbs 8oz and he weighed 11 lbs when he was born. My third child they said I had to have early to avoid that size again. At 37 wks, they did an ultrasound and it said he was already 10 lbs so they induced me that night. The next night he was born and only weighed 8lbs even. I wouldn't worry too much over it. I didn't have gestational diabetes either, I just have large babies. Try to hang in there. I know it's hard but it really is too early to induce. The only problem I see is that they could end up doing a c-section because in 3 1/2 wks, your baby could gain anywhere between 3 and 6 lbs. The last month of pregnancy they gain 1 - 2 lbs a week. Best of luck to you.