Big/small babies
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35105
Printed Date: 19 August 2025 at 7:47pm
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Topic: Big/small babies
Posted By: pekay
Subject: Big/small babies
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 9:06pm
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With DD1, I has a good pregnancy, I worked till 32 weeks, other than that no stress and ate well and went by every rule in the book. She was perfectly healthy and born at 9lb 2oz.
I am 34 weeks preg with number 2. I have had an extremely stessfull pregnancy and to be honest havent been looking after myself very well. DD1 is only one and I am very focused on her. I don't eat well, I rarely take vitamins or iron pills as I am so forgetful and I dont follow all those strict rules I did in pregnancy number one. I had a scan today and I am bang on for dates (which is good) and this baby is on it's way to be 7 or so pounds. I can't help but think because of the stess, lack of sleep, vitamins, iron pills and good food I have somehow caused this baby to not get what it needs. Even the dr. was surprised to see such a different in weight ( I am sure this baby is fine, like I say it's perfectly average in size...I am more curious I guess) Has anyone else experienced having babies that are such different sizes? Were your pregnancies different? |
Replies:
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 9:11pm
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Genetics springs to mind... what were you and DP/DH like as babies?
I was an intsy bubba and DS was too (I was 6lb, he was 6lb14oz)... This bubba was smaller at our 20 week scan but has made up for it somewhat since then and we are now measuring 3 weeks ahead... DH was a more average size baby at around 8lb (MIL cant remember????!!!!). Like you, did everything by the book first time around, this time I often forget to eat until DS reminds me by asking for food himself! Having said that, scans are not always accurate and you may get surprise on the day  -------------   
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 9:12pm
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you still have 6 weeks to go... I would have thought baby no.2 will weight about the same as No.1 by then... in the last month don't they gain about half a pound a week....
oops sorry just reread ya post... your saying will be 7 pounds right?? ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: pekay
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 9:25pm
yeah...I cant remeber what it's weight was today....2kg I think. But the ob said if she carries on this way, she will be about 7lbs at full term. DD1 was well ahead of dates from about 28 weeks (I have had regular scans with both pregnancies). I was about 9 1/2lbs and DF was about 6lbs when born... I did ask why/how the weights could varry so much, the ob said they should generally be the same/similar betweem pregnancies....but overal it depends on the size of the placenta. I didn't want to admit to not looking after myself to him...so ended discussion there 
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freckle wrote:Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 9:26pm
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I don't know I sometimes think its just luck of the draw really.
My first was 7lb 4oz and second was 6lb 10oz and there was not alot different with either pregnancy. -------------  
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Posted By: tiptoes
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 9:39pm
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After I had Cooper at 9 lb 12oz, I remember saying to Mum, OMG don't they just get bigger and she sent me an email later with 3 people that had babies similar weights for their 1st and then much smaller 7-8lbs for their 2nd so maybe it's just one of those things?
Plus... I was measuring right in the middle of the range for all of my scans including one at 32weeks, so I was expecting a baby around 7-8lbs then just after 40 weeks I went again and all of a sudden the baby was right up at the top of the range. So maybe your baby will grow lots in the last 6 weeks. Still 6 weeks to give your baby those things too if you want. ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">  
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Posted By: noodle
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 9:48pm
this is an intresting thread, I will be watching it closely as i was told by a specialist that I should opt for a CS (I know off topic but i'll get to my point haha  ) for number 2 as DS was 8lb4oz and 'way too big for my small frame'  I had an emergency CS with him. He said that babies only got bigger...i'm glad some of you ladies are proving him wrong as I want to try a VBAC
So sorry cant help you're question, but thanks for asking so I can watch the answers hehe ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 9:49pm
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TBH, your baby is a parasite and will have taken exactly what it needed from your stores. If you were eating a low iron diet, it would be eating into your iron stores to get what it needed. I wouldn't worry too much - they grow lots in the last 6 weeks and you & your husband were quite different birth sizes (more consistent with the current projection) and the accuracy of scans in predicting birth weight is really quite low.
Be kind to yourself ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 9:52pm
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Interesting noodle, cos there is quite a bit of info out there now talking about the uselessness (limitations) of fetal scans in predicting size and in the "myth" that many women are unable to VB bigger babies and that CS should not be indicated just b/c of predicted size.
Sorry for the TJ pekay! ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: noodle
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 9:59pm
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Yea flissty thats what I thought to, but have not really looked into it in depth yet. It will definatley be something I will be doing when the need arises tho as DH now reckons that we should opt for a CS because thats what the specialist said.. damn it all!!! will have to be armed with research to fire at him lol
oh yea pekay sorry to thread jack!  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: _Deb_
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 10:05pm
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My first(boy) was 9lb 11oz and my second(girl) was only 8lb 1oz. The only thing i can think of is that one's a boy and one's a girl.
I pretty much did everything the same with both pregnancies. So yeah i think it can just be a pretty random thing. ------------- 
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Posted By: fadeless
Date Posted: 06 August 2010 at 2:14pm
Dont listen to them about your 'small frame' lol. My first was an emergency c/s and she was a tiny 7lbs 12oz (my midwife said to me oh you must just have a small pelvis, i didnt believe her) i had a healthy pregnancy ate really well and looked after myself. My second was a VBAC and she was 9lbs, i had a very slack pregnancy ate too much etc lol. My next 2 were both in between at 8lbs 7.5oz and 8lbs 10.5oz. With the baby that is still in me, i had a weight estimate scan 2wks ago and it said he was 8lbs 14oz already, i dont believe it though he doent feel that big! Each baby is different and they grow differently. ------------- DD 9 ~ DD 8 ~ DS 7 ~ DS 5 ~ DS 2 ~ DS 14mths ~ DD 3mths |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 06 August 2010 at 3:06pm
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Honestly Kate, don't even stress yourself about it!
When I got pg with #2, I lost 10kg cos I couldn't eat, then DS was hospitalised and I lost weight thru stress, then DH left so I lost even more weight. I gained 2kg the whole pregnancy. #2 ended up being 8lb5oz, whereas DS (although he did stop growing for a while for some reason in utero) was 7lb10oz. Baby is a parasite, they suck everything out of you. I rarely even ate a meal a day during my 2nd pg (I know, bad but I was a zombie) and she was a perfectly healthy size. Also, in our family the 2nd children have always been a pound lighter than the first for no reason (other than maybe they realise if they're less noticeable they won't get the sh*t kicked out of them by their siblings before they even reach the outside world!) |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 06 August 2010 at 3:24pm
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Like emz said, dont stress about it Kate!
It wont be low iron or anything, the baby will be taking everything she needs from you, I had low iron and Isabella was 8lb 3oz. I also(as you know) had a stressful; pregnancy and a one year old at your stage of pregnancy, and I wasnt looking after myself, hence being in hospital at 36 weeks ahving iron pumped into me. Caden was 9lb 8oz and 13 days over due, and Bella was 9 days over due. Bubs will be fine hun!! ------------- |
Posted By: pekay
Date Posted: 06 August 2010 at 3:40pm
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I do feel better after hearing from others. And all I can do now is eat better for the next month or so.
I love the way babies are 'parasites' ...sounds so alien like..haha! And on the positive side..maybe this baby will 'slip' out a little easier, lol! |
Posted By: Jess439
Date Posted: 09 August 2010 at 8:08pm
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DD was a tiny wee baby, full term and 3 days past EDD and she was 2.5kgs or 5 pounds 7 oucnes at birth! Absolutely nothing wrong with her, just a little baby with zero body fat. I did all the stuff you are supposed to do, ate well, Elevit, exercise, etc. She was in hospital overnight for monitering but all her scores came back well over normal. She is measuring just below average now for her height and weight at almost seven months. MW guessed she would be around 7 pudns so yep, the fetal estimations can often be waaaaay off target. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Bobchannz
Date Posted: 10 August 2010 at 2:00pm
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Ask your midwife/ OB to do a GROW chart (they can find the programme on the internet). It gives a very accurate estimate of weight at birth (better than scans) and is very good at picking up if there is some kind of growth restriction. I had one for my daughter, which is why I was not surprised that she weighed less (even given that she was early) than my first daughter ------------- www.makedomum.blogspot.co.nz |
Posted By: Kimnthekids
Date Posted: 10 August 2010 at 10:20pm
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DS was carried to 10 days over term and was over 9pound.
DD (3 years later) was measured and monitored from 20weeks as she *measured small* We werent put on bed rest, but i was told to stop work earlier than planned, and rest etc. Ended up delivering a 7.1 pound girl. So while nothing compared to her brother, nothing to worry about either. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: rorylex
Date Posted: 11 August 2010 at 9:51pm
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dont worry it is very normal for babies to be different weights, my babies like to surprise my with their weights.
ds1 was 7lb2 at 38wks which is of course a very normal weight and ds2 was 8lb 8oz a bit bigger but he was 11day overdue. ds3 surprised everyone only 2days overdue he weighed 6lb 14oz i thought he might have been small but not that small mw thought he would be about 8lb, i wasnt there when he got weighed so when my sister told me his weight i thought she was kidding or they weighed him wrong but no. ds4 was my wopper 9lb 5oz but he was exactly 42wks. ------------- Mummy to 4 boys Samuel - 18.6.05 Rory - 15.7.06 Mason - 13.06.08 Emmett - 24.01.10 Baby #5 - cooking |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 12 August 2010 at 8:20am
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Mum had eight of us, and we varied in size from either the very early 7lb range or late 6lb (I forget what the exact figure was, but it was my sister, and we've always called her the runt ) to 12lb 6oz. And that didn't go in order or anything (e.g. all getting bigger or smaller), and wasn't any obvious cause for the variation, except that some babies are just bigger than others. I reckon chances are this one's just going to be a smaller baby, still perfectly fine, I wouldn't beat yourself up. -------------   
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Posted By: Richie
Date Posted: 14 August 2010 at 10:28pm
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I'm one of 6.... my oldest sister was the smallest at 6lb 80z and my youngest brother was the biggest at 10lb 13oz. The rest of us were all between 7lb13oz (me) and 9lb4 (little sister) so there was quite a wide range of sizes there.
I have only had one bub so far but she was 11lb 80z! My DF was 8lb 7oz as a bub so neither of us were overly big babies so I think it comes down to luck of the draw to be honest. I didn't eat a lot during my pregnancy as I couldn't keep anything down but it's obvious that Isla was able to sap ever last nutrient out of me to help her grow to that size! lol no one knew Isla was going to be so big, even from scans they were expecting her just to be an 'average' sized baby, so you may be surprised yet! -------------  
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Posted By: jacobsmummy
Date Posted: 15 August 2010 at 10:00am
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Both my babies were small, jacob was 5lb 1oz at 35w 5d and isabella was 3lb 1oz at 31wks, nothing really different in my pregnancys expect the 2nd one i was stressed out due to hubby not having a job etc.
both came down with diabetes both times. Both my babies were prems. i was small at birth but i was prem , 12weeks early 7880grams and andrew was full term 6lb 12oz i think (i read his plunket book one day when i was visiting his mum lol she said i could read it ) ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 15 August 2010 at 10:14pm
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I'd say there is a possibility but don't fret yourself about it because it could just be that you have a big-boned and a small-boned baby. I was reviewing some of my maty notes the other day. I have always measured small and the babies at scans have measured spot-on. Two months before #3 was born (on her due date) the mw noted after palpitation that the baby felt on the small side. She is now my biggest (75%ile) child and weighed in at 8lbs!
All my babies were born between 5 and 0 days early, weighing: 1st baby 7lb3oz 2nd 8lb4oz 3rd 8lb0oz 4th 8lb6oz ...and now 1st and 3rd are fairly stocky and #2 is the wiry one. PS My DH was induced on about due date (for Christmas hols), 6lb3oz and I was induced two days early (but waters had broken), 8lb3oz. -------------  |
Posted By: babyg
Date Posted: 16 August 2010 at 11:31pm
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Do you know what this bub is? Maybe its a boy who takes after his daddy
My DH and I were roughly the same size at birth (him, nearly 8lb and me just over 8lb) and although our bubs were both born early, they would've both been roughly 8lb at fullterm if they'd continued. So maybe, the 'taking after parents' scenario is possible. Oh and one of my pregnancies was very stressful while the other wasn't and I took less care of myself the second time around too - so those things don't seem to factor
You're doing fine - enjoy the last of this pregnancy, hope to hear of your healthy bubba's arrival in coming weeks. ------------- Ev, Mum to: Carys Ruby - 4 October 2007 Spencer James - 2 July 2010 |
Posted By: kittie
Date Posted: 17 August 2010 at 8:21am
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Oh i hope the "taking after parents" thing isnt true!
Both DH and I were huge babies, I dont think i want to think that bean will be that big! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: BugTeeny
Date Posted: 17 August 2010 at 12:40pm
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Looks as if you've been given enough reassurance, but I'll add in my experience
Hannah was born bang on time at 7lb,5oz. Mason was born 12 days early at 7lb,4oz. So obviously he'd have been much bigger if he went to term. He's not quite 4 weeks old and is already bigger than Hannah was at 2 months old. ------------- 
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Posted By: pekay
Date Posted: 13 September 2010 at 9:00am
| Well- after all that worrying, Ella arrived on Saturday (6days early) and after being told she would be an average sized baby, she was 9lb 2oz- the exact same weight as DD1! Must have been eating well after all- haha!! |