The Peanut

I had another level II ultrasound on Monday, and the baby is a peanut. He weighed in at 6 pounds and 11 ounces at 37 weeks and a day. I am of course concerned because he is by far the smallest of my children and I know gestational diabetes can cause babies to be malnourished and low birthweight. he only gained 1 pound in a month and I have been struggling so hard with my blood sugar. But the radiologist seemed pleased because he is in within normal range. Again, they also were very pleased that he was breathing the whole time. If they were pleases I am more than thrilled, but maybe Alicia could shed some light on the significance of this.
Yesterday I had my OB appointment. The midwife said I cannot have a waterbirth because they might need help delivering the baby since I have GD. Also, everything is trickier because I take insulin. Bummer.

11 comments

  1. Aren’t you also at the stage during which ultrasound weight estimates are only accurate within two pounds or so?
    DS2 was estimated to be 5 pounds at 32 weeks. He was born at 8 pounds, 4 ounces, and healthy, so that was around 3 1/4 pounds in 7 weeks IF it had been accurate, but I did some calculators that would have made him 10 or 11 pounds at birth based on the estimate. I cut my sugar big-time and made some other dietary improvements starting only around 34-35 weeks, but given that his head and legs were not as big or long as the ultrasound seemed to suggest they might be at birth, I’m not sure whether the diet stopped rapid growth or was it just the u/s being way off. So, either could be the same for you. I guess Alicia would have more helpful input of course.

  3. Aren’t you also at the stage during which ultrasound weight estimates are only accurate within two pounds or so?
    I have no idea. They did say “give or take 1/2 a pound…”

  4. Hmm. Your littlest one’s present projected weight is more than my first one weighed at birth. Of course, it was an induction that was a couple days after EDD (I know better now!). Personally, I don’t think 6 lbs 11 oz. sounds malnourished or low birthweight. You still have a couple weeks ahead of you at least, right? But I do understand your concern about baby gaining 1 lb. during the past month. Prayers for you both.

  5. Kelly,
    It’s not because I am worried that 6lbs 11 oz in and of itself is a small weight,nor am I trying to run in some big baby competition, but more like you said, it was only one pound in the past month. I am really trying hard to keep this sugar down. They keep upping the insulin, I keep cutting the carbs and I am hungry!I am really really hungry and feel since I have cut fruit out to keepo my sugar down, I am afraid I am getting enough healthy nutrition.
    Also, the only one pound would not bother me, but before he was matching the same growth trends of my other children, but doesn’t seem to be now.
    -Rosie Posie born 36 weeks was 8 lbs even 20 inches
    -Posco born at 37 weeks (he was the same exact due sate as this baby) was 7lbs 2 oz 20 inches
    -Fastolph was induced at 38 weeks and was 8 lbs 6 pz 20 inches
    -Gorbulas was born at 38 weeks and was 8 lbs 15 oz 23 inches.
    Anyway, if he is just not following the same trend and simply a healthy peanut, than that is just fine. My dh and I aren’t the biggest people by any stretch-I started out at 5’2″ 125lbs, so a peanut makes sense. But I am a bit nervous I guess because the endocrinologist keeps telling me my glucose numbers are not good and I need to do better in keeping them down.

  6. I was also under the impression that u/s estimates are +/- 2 lbs and several inches.
    Praying for a nice, healthy, safe delivery for both of you. How is the name hunt going?

  7. 1 pound in a month is just fine. You are right on target.
    Kiddo, what is important is not the numbers but the percentiles. ALso, gestational diabetics are at risk for HUGE babies, not malnourished peanuts (that is the risk with type one diabetics or hypertensive diabetics). The baby is small because you are keeping your sugars down. That is what is supposed to happen. You are on target to a perfectly normal 7 to 8 1/2 lb baby.
    Oh, and the margin of error for US at this point for EFW is +/- 10%. or between 2732 gms(6# 3oz) and 3340 gm (7 # 6 oz). so if the baby gains another pound in the next month you are fine (see my numbers above)
    The reason they are concerned about the delivery is that infants of diabetic mothers tend to be bigger than average (NOT SMALLER) and they can have disproportionate growth such that the head comes out but the shoulders get stuck – a complication known as shoulder dystocia. Ina Mae Gaskin has a maneuver named after her that is specifically to correct shoulder dystocia – it involves flipping the mom laterally from a recumbant to a hands and knees position. You can learn more about SD dystocia in a booklet available through midwifery today.
    BTW – the water birth mavens at Cheshire med center, Keene NH, would still let you labor and possibly birth in their tubs – you would just have to be willing to jump out at the last minute if the shoulders get sticky. I have found that getting a mom into a standing squat can also resolve many cases of sticky shoulders, and that is how I helped my sister birth her 10 pound baby boy nearly 17 years ago.
    I wish I could be there with you when you have the baby.

  8. Sounds like a substantial peanut to me. 🙂 Try not to let worry about these things cast a shadow on happy days. Will be keeping you in my prayers….

  10. I love peanuts! This peanut’s intentions will be remembered in my rosaries! Try not to worry too much (it is difficult not to worry I’m sure).

  11. Alicia,
    Thank you, your words alleviated my fears greatly.
    Ellyn,
    You are right. When I told my dh that Alicia made me feel better, he said “and what if she said something that was not good?” There is no point in worrying.
    Thanks for the prayers everyone.

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