Baby Measuring 10 pounds 8 ounces at 38 weeks...What should I do???

[MissLisa82]

My doctors have been concerned about my baby measuring big for a few weeks, always measuring 3-4 weeks ahead based on using the tape measure on the outside of my abdomen.  They had me get an ultrasound yesterday, I am 38 weeks and the baby is estimated to be 10 pounds 8 ounces.  They are worried that the baby cannot be delivered naturally because the head and shoulders are too big.  This is my first baby and I do not want a c-section but my doctor is making it sound like I will have to have one.  I don't even know how my baby got so big.  I was overweight before pregnancy but I have only gained 14 pounds this entire pregnancy and this baby is supposed to be over 10 pounds, that just doesn't seem right.  I was wondering is they could induce me now so the baby doesn't get any bigger but I don't know if there really is a huge risk with my baby being so big?  I am really scared now and just don't know what to do.  I really really do not want a c-section unless it is truly what is best for the baby.  I hear women deliver babies this big naturally all the time, right?

Any advice or similiar stories would be greatly appreciated.

[MissLisa82]

Thanks for your story, did you get induced or did your son come on his own?  At what week was yor son born?  I am just concerned that if I keep waiting for baby to come on her own that she will be even bigger.  My check yesterday showed I have not yet dialated at all.

[alaysha]

I agree that ultrasounds are NOT accurate for determining weight. I was told my daughter was measuring 3 weeks small via ultrasound and she ended up being born one oz shy of 7 lbs. Which is exactly where she should be around 39 weeks.

[Ashelen]

They were telling me my son would be "well over" 10 lbs and that I was a candidate for an elective c-section..I said let's try vaginal and we can do a c if we need to. Well I'm glad I went with my gut because the delivery was SO short and SO easy and he was only 7lbs 10oz....I had a lot of amniotic fluid which distorted the measurement. I say try vaginal first..they never know for sure how big a baby will be, you can always do a c-section like Clysta said if the need arises!

[Clysta]

Sooo many doctors say c-section has to be done because baby looks bigger and in reality isn't. Ultrasound weight estimates are just a guess and can be off by a decent amount. I would at least try vaginal birthing first, and if needed a c-section can be done.

[AMINOHIO]

I'm a bit skeptical when the docs use u/s to get a weight on the baby late in pregnancy. They told me my son was measuring over 8 lbs and he was born at 6 lbs 3 oz.

[Beccabb]

My friend was measuring 4 weeks bigger throughout her pregnancy baby was almost 10pound, she was in labor for 59 hours and it ended with c-section