about

I am 48 years old (yes that's old compared to some of you).


I have worked in nursing and/or healthcare management positions for 24 years. Primarily OB, Neonatal, Mental Health, Occupational Health and Geriatrics. In Jan 2008 I started my own business to board horses and do equine/human education. I am also a certified dog trainer.


I've been around the block so to speak and seem to be always helping others. I've been told that the reason people seek me out for advice is that I am approachable and caring. But on the same token even though I consider the person's feelings. I tell it like I see it. I've dealt with people in trouble with the law, dysfunctional families such as those with abuse & marriage problems. Not to mention problems with employees and employers.


I don't ever claim to know it all, and always keep an open mind.

advice

I am 33 weeks along in pregnancy. My OB wants me to have a sonogram at 36 weeks to check the size of the baby. She said I shouldn't have a problem giving birth to a big baby, but she wants to check the size to be sure.

Is this a routine sonogram, or should I expect to have a big baby?

And if the baby is thought to be too big, what will happen?

If it helps, when I was born, I was 9lbs, 2oz and my husband was 10lbs, 11oz.

Thanks in advance- ygsgirl

Hi,

These days sonograms are fairly routine, and if there is any question about due date they will do one. They can come very close to the baby's gestational age that way.

If they suspect the baby is bigger than average; In the old days they used an instrument to measure the width of the pelvis when the woman was thought to be carrying a larger baby. The trouble is while they could measure the pelvis, they couldn't measure the baby very well, so the sonogram is very helpful in this case.

Usually during pregnancy the woman's pelvic bones will soften enough to accomdate their baby during delivery. So even if the baby weighed 10 lbs, this doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to deliver vaginally. However with all the potential complications and "lawsuits" physicians are a bit over careful--and in a way over careful is good.

They don't just allow the woman to push and push and push when the baby will not fit through the pelvic opening, it's stress on the baby and mom both. If this happens a c-section would most likely be in order, and with some idea if this may be needed in advance, everyone can be more prepared.

Otherwise, there's the possiblity of the Doc being able to use forceps or the suction during delivery which is very common.

Sounds like your OB/Gyn is right on top of things and the sonogram should give you a good idea of the baby's size. Just take it one day at a time and cross that bridge when you come to it, otherwise you will worry when you don't really need to.



[view]

(Rating: 5) Thank you! I wish this would count for your rating! Your advice is very thorough.
<<< Previous Advice Column
Next Advice Column >>>
eXTReMe Tracker