My largeness 8

CY sure I will be did it 37 as much DD. DD birth to a over like I

Oh, who can say! With #1 I started measuring quite high around 34 weeks and also gained a pile of weight in a hurry - they sent me for an u-s and the technician said the baby's measurements were exactly on the average except for long femurs. Sure enough, 7 lbs 13 oz at 40 weeks and 3 days.

I got the "twins" and "any day now" comments with that one all the time, too.

This pregnancy I've gained less weight and I *know* I'm measuring a little low - I'm always a cm or two low when I measure myself, and yesterday at the doctor I saw her come up with 34 or 35. But she never tells me what she measures, just says "good!" and moves on.

I look smaller and feel smaller this time around than last time - but I'll be surprised if it's a smaller baby. I think it's really hard to tell how big a baby is in there, based on outer appearances.

difference to is day and

Well, if you think an u-s will give you some peace of mind, then maybe that's a good idea. However: nobody has *ever* in either of my pregnancies guessed the baby's weight, at an u-s or via palpation. I'd be worried at this point that some overexcitable tech (or your doctor) will start going on about "large for dates" - as seems to happen so often to women in this group - and next thing you know words like induction and ceasarean are floating around. Personally, I have found my doctors are non-interventionist, but if they suspect something *might* be up, they always go pro-test, with the "better safe than sorry" motto.

Something else I've noticed is that if I seem concerned about something, it ups the chances that they will start a process of testing or intervention, possibly to ease my mind, so I have to be very clear that I'm *not* actually asking for testing. Example: yesterday at my check-up I commented that baby's movement has slowed down and is less frequent. I then added, "not scary decrease in movement, just normal end of pregnancy stuff!" She said, "oh, okay. But if you want to do a non-stress test to be sure . . . " and I said no, and she said, "all right - but if the decrease in movement *does* start to concern you, go in to the hospital right away." So, they might be more likely to start suggesting interventions if they think that's what you want or will ease your mind.

Hiring your doula may help with this, since she'll hopefully have lots of perspective and advice!!

Melania Mom to Joffre (Jan 11, 2003) and #2 (edd May 21, 2005)