Hi ladies!

I am really upset. Last week at my 37 week appointment, my doctor said that my baby has pretty much always measured 2 weeks ahead of schedule. She is projecting that he's going to be a 10 pounder. I will be having an ultrasound this Thursday so she can get an idea of his weight/length.

Now this is my first time being pregnant and the thought of birthing a 10 pound baby is terrifying. I know that guesstimates on a baby's weight while still in the womb are really just that - guesses - and that they are wrong ALL the time. But my bump is HUGE - as in everyone comments on it.

If my doctor thinks the baby is big (as in 10 pounds) she is going to suggest that I be induced.

So here's my issue: The though of not being pregnant anymore is wonderful - it's been so rough the last month and I just can't take it anymore. I live in the US and have to work up until my due date (which isn't until March 12) and the thought of going to work everyday almost sends me into a panic of how I will get through the day and be productive. On the other hand, this IS my first pregnancy and I really want to go into labor naturally and have that experience. I want my baby to come when HE'S ready. But I'm scared that if I don't agree to be induced and decided to wait then he will be HUGE and I will end up having a C-section (which I DO NOT WANT).

So I'm asking for any experiences you ladies may have had - either your own or someone you know - about measurements being wrong (or right) or being induced because the baby was getting too big. Also your thoughts about being induced vs waiting when you know you have a potentially big baby on your hands. I don't know what to do and it's just really upsetting me...

My older 2 were not as big as the doctor thought... about a pound less in fact. No reason to be afraid of induction though. If the pain gets too intense you can opt for an epidural which is pure heaven. Got one with both mine and plan to have one right at the beginning this time. (me and doc have already worked it out) I had a level head through the whole thing (never felt high or out of it with the epidural, unlike the other drugs do) and I met baby with a smile on my face and with a happy laughing environment. Wouldn't have it any other way! This time I plan to be induced at 39 weeks unless he decides to come sooner than that on his own!

Hiya first of dont worry
My first baby was said to be at least 9lb! and that was at my 37 weeks scan! So was being induced but due to his tummy being to small! (backwards i know!) Anyway i went into labour that night! And gave birth to my first son he was 6lb6oz! some 9lbs!
With my second i was 40+4 and was told my second son was only 5lb odds. So i was induced through pre-eclampsia etc. I wont lie the induction process isnt bad the contractions are stronger i think some people have said different thou. Anyway my second baby was 7lb8 oz! Induction isnt great but its not that bad to! I done it on gas and air!

Hope all is ok xxx

My son was 9lb 7oz and i have a small frame but i managed ok. I needed an episiotomy and pushed for 1 hour and 15 mins but he came out ok.
This one is predicted to be 10lb (personal growth chart) and i requested an early induction. I feel if big then i would rather not take a risk at him getting stuck as this can be dangerous for us both.

Scans are very inaccurate though at predicting the size of the baby. Does your bump feel rock hard or is it quite soft?
Mine is solid and you can tell that the baby is taking up all the available room in there.

You know, it's funny.... MOST of the time it's pretty rock hard. But there are instances where it's as if he burrows down inside me and I can barley feel where he is... I have no idea what that means.

I've measured big. I had a growth scan at 40 weeks and baby was estimated at 7lb5. Midwife thinks this is a little lower than what she is. I am not being induced even if I reach 42 weeks (my choice) and my midwife is happy to support me in this, I just need an extra scan at 42 weeks to check placenta function.

A friend of mine had GD and her growth scans predicted a 10lb baby but baby was born weighing 8

My personal opinion - don't get induced!!!!!!

Wait until your baby is ready (barring any medical complications obviously, of which weight usually isn't one), and give birth naturally!

I've been induced, and I've had 2 natural labours. Being induced was horrible, the natural labours were so much faster, easier, and just that - more natural.

My last baby was 11 and-a-half pounds, and he was the easiest to deliver. You can do it!!!!

my mum said her biggest two ( 10lb 4oz and 10lb 6oz ) wer the easiest 2 to have ( my mum is 5 ft 5inches tall ) , my first was 9lb10oz 2wks overdue and looking at photos of the weeks before he came i was HUGE and if he hadnt have been in a bad position the mw's reckoned my first 3 pushes would have had him out,
all my friends who had trouble giving birth had little babies ( under 7lbs ) as the bigger they are then the less contractions have to do to push baby down and out,
ive never had anyone tell me that their growth scan has given them the right weight prediction for what weight their baby will be

Thank you!! This makes me feel sooo much better! I've decided that whatever happens at the dating scan that I won't agree to be induced. A "projected" big baby isn't a good reason for inducement so as long as I'm fine and the baby is fine, I'm going to let this little boyo cook until he's good and ready on his own.

Thank you ladies!!