A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:I know people are prob going to criticise me for this post but here goes.I am pregnant with my first ever child but I am terrified and am even considering if to go through with the whole pregnancy. My husband family have a history of having very very big babies. My husband himself was over 10 lbs as were his brothers. My sister in law who gave birth last year had a 10 lb 3 ounce baby. But I am only 5ft and 90 lbs so very petite and not sure how my small body will cope (yes I know at this point people will state the obvious that your body adjusts bleh bleh bleh) but at the end of the day it IS my body and carryign a child this big will be quite very difficult for me, not to mention after giving birth the state my body will be left in after carrying such a big child...over stretched, wrinkley, saggy etc. I am already starting to show and I am not even that far gone yet so already seems in favour of having a big one! So I guess I was wondering if there is anything I can do to determine the size of my baby? I mean is there anything you can do to make sure you have a small baby? This prob makes me sound bad but believe me if you saw the size of me and the size of my husband and his family you will be worried and terrified also.....please dont want any lectures on how my body will adapt and once the child comes I will foget it all etc etc....just want actual useful advice based on what I have asked thanks
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male
reader, Sandman  +, writes (20 May 2008):
 You've gotten some good info - but there's something else that could explain why your husband's family produces large babies...
Gestational diabetes.
While a small amount (or none) may have been formally diagnosed with Gestational diabetes, it could still be present and as a result, the fetus is usually large - around 9-10lbs. Some women are formally diagnosed with GD but are just on the border of being given the diagnosis, but because their body is not utilizing the excess sugars in the body, the baby in turns absorbs these excess sugars which turn to fat and therefore - large baby.
GD also has a family trend - meaning, just like regular diabetes, GD has a tendency to run in families. Not every family will get diabetes or GD, but the genetic predisposition puts everyone at increased for the diagnosis.
Proper nutrition during pregnancy and exercise can help to keep YOUR blood sugar levels at a good level, and also ensures your baby is getting the nutrients it needs.
I wouldn't worry about it if I were you - because you're genetics are not your husbands. Unless your family has a history of this same issue, then you don't have much to worry about. However, this does not exempt you from ever being diagnosed with diabetes or GD as there are other factors that cause these issues.
Continue to eat healthy and prepare for a wonderful life as a mother. Congratulations and take care.
Hope this helps.
A
female
reader, shellycammon +, writes (20 May 2008):
you will probably end up having a c-section if you are that small and the baby is that big. there are no sure fire ways to have small babys BUT i can tell you that just because someone else had a big baby in the family doesnt mean you will. Im sure that you can place yourself on some kind of a diet and if you are that concerned about it, i would ask your doctor, but if you do place yourself on a diet make sure that the BABY is getting all the nutrients it needs. i was terrified with my first baby too, because you just dont know what to expect, everything will be fine.
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A
female
reader, Twirly  +, writes (20 May 2008):
 Goodness, I really wouldn't recommend tampering with anything to try and make the baby smaller, that sounds very dangerous.
Why don't you request a cesarian section or lots of drugs at the birth if you're worried about the pain.
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A
female
reader, lotus mama808 +, writes (20 May 2008):
 Get this, my 1st kid was born 10lbs, before I got pregnant, I weighed 93lbs! I had a 6 hour labor, only, WITH NO DRUGS!!!!! 1 month later, I was back to 93lbs. I have always been very little, it isnt a health issue. The thing is, you control your pregnancy. It wont be good to try and have a small baby, it isnt good for the baby. Hospitals are ready for mamas like us to have oversized babies! I did it with no drugs, whatsoever. My baby boy was super cute, healthy like no other, and the docters looked at me like I just pulled off some miracle. You are in control of stretch marks, (lotion EVERYDAY, like 2 times a day), Get enough prenatal exersise, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM!!!!! And for your vagina, a whole lotta Perineal massage. Kegal exersise will totally help with making a short labor period too. Whats weird, is now my son is 6, and I have since then had a baby girl who was born 5lbs, 14oz, and she was a 4 hour drugless labor. THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE IN PAIN, or weight gain on my part. In fact sjhe probably hurt me more, bacause she came so fast, (no break between contrations to allow me to rest). What I' trying to say is, instead of trying to compromise your babies health by lowering his weight, do what you can to keep your weight in control, (eat right, SWIM alot) work on kegals, and perinial exersises, and dont stress! You will love your baby so much when you look at him/her that nothing in this world will matter anyway! Congrads!
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A
female
reader, birdynumnums  +, writes (20 May 2008):
 Your family genetics will determine the size of your baby, so please don't try to limit your food intake. That would only result in your body's nutritional reserves being drawn on, so please eat well and exercise in order to keep up your muscle strength and keep your bones fit. I had an 8.2 boy in 2 1/2 hours and a 10.4 girl in 4 1/2 hours, without drugs, and my body recovered nicely! I suspect that you are hearing a lot of horror stories right now, but my Mum-In-Law was your height and delivered my Hubby, who was 10 pounds, and she had a fabulous wardrobe of designer dresses to wear on her lovely figure after FOUR large children. I remember worrying and being in your shoes, but the one thing you aren't aware of yet is how you will feel about your children. They are the single biggest blessings in life, a HUGE miracle!!!!! A few years from now, you won't even remember worrying about all of this - you will be surrounded by your very own Family! Most women look back at a few stretch marks and don't regret a thing. Regret would be NOT having children. Congratulations and I wish you all good things in life!!!
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