3 Things to Consider if your Doctor Mentions 'Big Baby'

I’ve birthed three ‘big babies’ (8lb. 15oz., 9lb. 4oz., and 8lb. 15oz), two of which were vaginal births. And… my perineum was intact!

Here’s the thing - big babies (defined as weighing 8lb. 13oz. +), are more common than you think.

It can feel scary, however, if your provider starts making comments such as ‘oh this looks like a big baby’ or ‘he’s going to be a big one’ or ‘I don’t think you’ll have a successful VBAC if she’s over 7 pounds.’ That last one was my OB’s comment when I was preparing to have my first vaginal birth after a Cesarean. For the record, I dumped him that day. AND - I went on to have my first VBAC (she was the 9lb. 4oz.-er).  

3 THINGS TO CONSIDER IF YOUR DR MENTIONS BIG BABY

1. Ultrasound estimates are not always accurate

They’re called estimates for a reason. They’re incorrect about half of the time, and estimates can be off by +/- 15%. That’s significant when we’re talking about making a decision about birth based on a size ESTIMATE.

Here’s what you should know: you don’t have to know the baby’s estimated size during pregnancy. At my 41 week appointment with baby #3, I politely declined to know the estimate. It felt like a mind f**k that I didn’t need.

2. Big babies can fit through vaginas

I’m a believer that, generally speaking, our bodies grow the size of baby that we can birth. Of course there are exceptions - this is birth.

Your body literally changes during pregnancy and labor to birth your baby. Your pelvis moves, your ligaments relax, your tissues stretches. Your baby moves during labor, too!  

Tip: movement during labor helps babies get out. Save these labor position flash cards to your camera roll to practice.

Here’s what you should know: birthing a big baby doesn’t always mean complications. 

3. Growing a big baby doesn’t mean you’ll have stretch marks

There are a few things that can contribute to stretch marks, but the primary factor is genetics. 

Some women get stretch marks when they grow a 5 pound baby, and others get no stretch marks when they grow a 10 pound baby.

Here’s what you should know: stretch marks may happen, and that’s okay. You are so much more than your stretch marks.