What weight should my baby be?

[redlemonade]

So, I had a scan today to check the placenta (because it was low at 20 weeks and I'm aiming for a home birth). Thankfully the placenta is 'safe' so I'm cleared for home birth

However, I got a bit of a shock when they told me that baby is measuring approx 4lb7oz! Could that be right? I wasn't expecting she would be that big at 32 weeks (and, oh yes, definitely still a girl lol). They said that's 'normal' but then when I told friends they said 'oh you'll be having a big baby'!! And of course I consulted Dr. Google and most sites seems to say that at 32 weeks baby would be 'almost 4lbs'.

Could I be having a big baby? If baby puts on half a pound for the next 8 weeks, I'll be having an 8lber??? EEEEKKKKK! My husband and I are really petite. Like, seriously, we're the runts of the litter in our respective families We were told at 20 weeks that baby was petite like us now I'm confused.

Funnily, people have been telling me that my bump grew massively over the weekend, so did she just have a growth spurt? Will it 'even out'?

Another thing - they said that the fluid is on the higher end of normal (but still fine). Could that be contributing to the weight? My homebirth midwife said it's better to have a little more fluid than too little at this stage.

Man, it's all so confusing. I'm not all that anxious, I'm just bemused to be honest and looking for a little perspective!

Pregnancy is a rollercoaster eh?

 

[MrsGreen]

There is a huge growth spurt between 31 and 32 weeks, so its very possible, but it will even out Dont eat a lot of sugar because babies look at sugar as a growth hormone. My first baby was estimated to weigh 6.2lbs at 34 weeks, and i was thinking holy huge baby if I go to term... which I did + 5 days over and she was7lbs 8oz. Both my husband and I are petite as well. Im 5'5" and 120 before pregnancy and hubs is 5'9" and 155.

 

[redlemonade]

There is a huge growth spurt between 31 and 32 weeks, so its very possible, but it will even out Dont eat a lot of sugar because babies look at sugar as a growth hormone. My first baby was estimated to weigh 6.2lbs at 34 weeks, and i was thinking holy huge baby if I go to term... which I did + 5 days over and she was7lbs 8oz. Both my husband and I are petite as well. Im 5'5" and 120 before pregnancy and hubs is 5'9" and 155.

Thanks MrsGreen! Hmmmm, I am craving anything sweet. OK, I guess I should cut back on the chocolate then!

I guess these growth scans can be waaayyy out (which is what I tell everyone) but friends and family keeps saying I'll have a 'huge baby' and it is a little scary when they say that. Especially as I'm planning a home birth lol! I'm 5'2" and 48kg pre-pregnancy so it's a little daunting!

Thanks for the perspective!

 

[flowergirl7]

At my 32 week ultrasound they predicted he weighed 4lbs8oz. I've heard from so many people how it's just a prediction and it can be off. I don't know, I think he's going to be big. As long as our babies are healthy

I hear you on the chocolate, I'm addicted!

 

[redlemonade]

At my 32 week ultrasound they predicted he weighed 4lbs8oz. I've heard from so many people how it's just a prediction and it can be off. I don't know, I think he's going to be big. As long as our babies are healthy

I hear you on the chocolate, I'm addicted!

You're right, as long as the babies are healthy that's the main thing. And they've said all along that my baby is very healthy and they're happy with everything. I was just thinking she'd be maybe 3-4lbs at this stage!

Oh it's not just chocolate either. If I allowed myself, I'd be eating jam right out of the jar

 

[MrsGreen]

lol I love gummy candies lol its awful. But yes, the growth scans are not very accurate. The measure the baby the best they can but a chubby baby that is short will measure "small" where a skinny long baby will measure big. My first measured 3lbs 9oz and 29 weeks and she was 7lbs 8oz at 40+5.

 

[redlemonade]

lol I love gummy candies lol its awful. But yes, the growth scans are not very accurate. The measure the baby the best they can but a chubby baby that is short will measure "small" where a skinny long baby will measure big. My first measured 3lbs 9oz and 29 weeks and she was 7lbs 8oz at 40+5.

Phew, well hopefully it'll work out the same for me! Can't wait to meet this little one now and see how big she'll be. In the meantime, I think I'll get back to my perineal massage

Enjoy those gummy candies!

 

[wamommy]

I'm in big trouble, then!!!! At my 33 week growth scan they estimated my LO at 6lbs1oz. They said that put LO at 97th percentile! I'm trying not to freak out. My ob also said 1/2 pound - 10oz a week is normal growth for the baby. If I made it to 40 weeks that would make baby about 9.5 pounds!! Here's to hopin' for an early baby, lol.

 

[Karigan]

Baby's weight and size tends to mimic the mother, so if you were a petite babe, odds are this one will be too. It isnt guarenteed however.

 

[Impatientwait]

Whoa..they estimated my bBy 4 lbs 10 oz at my 28 week ultrasound....my husband was 10 lbs at birth..dang near 11...hopefully they were wrong

 

[redlemonade]

I'm in big trouble, then!!!! At my 33 week growth scan they estimated my LO at 6lbs1oz. They said that put LO at 97th percentile! I'm trying not to freak out. My ob also said 1/2 pound - 10oz a week is normal growth for the baby. If I made it to 40 weeks that would make baby about 9.5 pounds!! Here's to hopin' for an early baby, lol.

Lol I'm sure we'll get through it! I'm doing my best to keep the faith that Mother Nature gives us babies that are the right size for our bodies

 

[redlemonade]

Baby's weight and size tends to mimic the mother, so if you were a petite babe, odds are this one will be too. It isnt guarenteed however.

Hmmm I must check what weight I was when I was born, lol! Thanks I'm petite now but I think I was fairly 'normal' 7lbs-ish.

 

[redlemonade]

Whoa..they estimated my bBy 4 lbs 10 oz at my 28 week ultrasound....my husband was 10 lbs at birth..dang near 11...hopefully they were wrong

I'm trying not to read too much into it and just keep listening to my hypno birth affirmations - my baby is the perfect size for my body, lol! Have faith in Mother Nature, you can do it

 

[Mum_Of_Roodys]

Normally baby will grow to the size your body can push out then stop obviously there's a few cases were that doesn't happen but in general that's the plan haha so it depends how wide your pelvis is to be honest , my first I had growth scans he stopped growing they told me he would be 3lbs just about if he came out straight away I was induced that day three days later he came and was 5lbs2 so although he was small he was no were near as small as they thought same with my little girl but everyone was convinced she was going to take after my hubby and be a massive baby but then she was 7lbs dead on so they not always right , although I do feel sorry for the mums who do have giant baby's I can't imagine trying to evacuate an 8-9lber let alone the huge babies born over a stone !! Scares me x

 

[redlemonade]

Normally baby will grow to the size your body can push out then stop obviously there's a few cases were that doesn't happen but in general that's the plan haha so it depends how wide your pelvis is to be honest , my first I had growth scans he stopped growing they told me he would be 3lbs just about if he came out straight away I was induced that day three days later he came and was 5lbs2 so although he was small he was no were near as small as they thought same with my little girl but everyone was convinced she was going to take after my hubby and be a massive baby but then she was 7lbs dead on so they not always right , although I do feel sorry for the mums who do have giant baby's I can't imagine trying to evacuate an 8-9lber let alone the huge babies born over a stone !! Scares me x

Thanks! Well I'm very petite so hopefully Mother Nature takes care of me and doesn't give me a gigantic baby I'm glad to hear that those scans aren't very accurate either.

Now if I could only find a way to encourage people to stop telling me I'm 'huge' that would be great lol!

 

[cait]

redlemonade I'm petite too, my husband is no giant either (we were both less than 7lb at birth) and our first was 8lb 2. That is big for us 5ft ladies for sure, but not big in the grand scale of things!
I had an emergency section but there was no suggestion that it was because she was "too big".
My baby is predicting on the larger side again this time but I'm not too bothered - I think they had me thinking DD was going to be huge so I was surprised/pleased at only 8lb2 in the end! It's all guesswork really.

 

[mummy2o]

At all scans Erika had she was 50% so was going to be an average baby. She ended up being 5lbs 15oz, so was in the 2nd percentile for her gestation. My son was bigger at 7lbs 12oz, so for 2nd babies being bigger that can be wrong also.

 

[Rachie004]

Thanks! Well I'm very petite so hopefully Mother Nature takes care of me and doesn't give me a gigantic baby I'm glad to hear that those scans aren't very accurate either.

Now if I could only find a way to encourage people to stop telling me I'm 'huge' that would be great lol!

I don't think anyone has dared to tell me how big/small I am because they know I would say something unpleasant, probably along the lines of 'I have a way to go until I'm as fat as you so I think I'm okay'

Try it

 

[Mum_Of_Roodys]

I have a small baby now and I'm only 36 weeks and I constantly have people telling me I'm huge yet I was tiny when I fell pregnant and not big compared to most pregnant women I've seen lately so it's quiet frustrating x

 

[Impatientwait]

Im petite as well...was 105 before pregnant and npw hitting 155 and with hubs being born almost 11 lbs im worried but hopeing mother nature takes care of me!