https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:37:40 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-564290 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:04:37 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 564290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely recommend doing some exercises to open your pelvis. Liam's head was too big to fit through my pelvis and I wonder if I had done more exercises if it would have been easier (I didn't because he flipped so often that I was worried I would lock him in feet down). But I'd say you should definitely try for a vaginal delivery instead of a scheduled c-section! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-564288 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:04:29 +0000 swedishfish 564288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband's head measured so big throughout my MIL's pregnancy that the doctor thought he might be a giant at one point. His head is still humongous but he was born naturally. It can be done :)</p> <p>ETA - he's not a giant! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-564278 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:00:28 +0000 FarmWifeGina 564278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, remember that baby's head is "squishable" and there's no way of telling how much it will mold as s/he moves through the pelvis. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-564190 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:23:40 +0000 oliviaoblivia 564190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 33 weeks I was measuring 37. Sure enough we had a big baby with a big head. She was 10+pounds. After too many hours of labor (40ish) I did end up with a c-section, but honestly it was not the horror story they are made out to be. Yes it was major surgery, but my recovery has been easy and I didn't have to push out ten pounds of baby.<br /> No matter which way you birth, you will have a beautiful baby and that's all that matters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-564173 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:16:41 +0000 dookie32 564173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charlotte: I didn't push for that long and he never made that much progress so there wasn't any real recovery from that part at all thankfully. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-563663 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:30:14 +0000 charlotte 563663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ dookie: how was the recovery after laboring and then having the c-section?</p> <p>@ sarac: he said it was probably okay and just genetic. (my husband's family has always teased him for having a big head!) I agree, it really freaked me out and may not mean anything.. luckily this was just the peri that does my ultrasounds and not my regular OB. she is usually very reassuring and I really trust her judgement so I'm looking forward to getting her thoughts @ my next appt. she may say its no biggie!</p> <p>I really appreciate everyone's positive input. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-563587 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:59:14 +0000 sarac 563587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 10th percentile for height and weight baby has a 90th percentile head. I pushed for two hours, and had only two very minor tears. Those ultrasound measurements are very inaccurate. Are they concerned about a problem with the head, or is it just a note that it's a little large? </p> <p>Please don't get psyched out about delivering vaginally! I think it was really unhelpful of your doctor to mention it unless you're working an actual issue around the fact. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-563501 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:27:55 +0000 mrs. wagon 563501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both my babies had 99th percentile heads. My first (a boy) I pushed for 3 hours and he never crowned. Once the doctor got the vacuum on his head he popped right out with 3 pushes. I did tear with him. With my second (a girl) I pushed for 15 mins and she slipped right out, one tiny tear! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-563483 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:23:04 +0000 dookie32 563483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't remember what he was measuring pre-birth but my son has a huge head &amp; I ended up having a c-section. I pushed for about an hour before the doctor told me even though I was pushing well, he probably was never going to make it past my pelvic bone or wherever it is he needed to go past. His heart rate wasn't recovering as fast as they wanted with the pushes so I didn't want to go much longer- even though the doctor said I could try. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-563342 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:33:29 +0000 Weagle 563342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: Yep, LO has a little head, and I had a second degree tear. It's definitely not an indication of how delivery will go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-563335 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:31:04 +0000 sorrycharlie 563335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure what her head measured, but once she was out it certainly looked enormous. I dilated and delivered in a total of 4 hours so she kind of busted her way out. She was born within 15 minutes of pushing if I remember correctly!! I definitely tore, but I've also heard of tearing with smaller-head babies, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-563331 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:29:29 +0000 Honeybee 563331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS (my second baby) had a big head. His head consistently measured 3 weeks ahead from 20 weeks on. Even when there was concern about the rest of his measurments, his head was big.</p> <p>In the end, it did take me a little longer than expected to fully dilate and a little longer to push him out. Since he was my second baby, everyone expected I'd get to completion faster and have less pushing time than I did with my first. In the end it took exactly the same amount of time for both births (about 12 hour labor and 30 minutes of pushing). So it was a little harder to birth DS because of his big head, but it was still totally possible and "easy" compared to many birth stories I've heard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-563330 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:29:02 +0000 BelugaBean 563330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO's head measured in the 98th percentile at 36 weeks. I gave birth vaginally with no epidural and had only a few stitches. I think her head still measures around the 90th percentile. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-563329 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:28:57 +0000 Weagle 563329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@plantains: Agreed. </p> <p>FWIW, my niece has a giant head... 95th+ percentile. SIL did end up with an episiotomy to help her out, but it wasn't a traumatic delivery. Based on her second birth and her comments, I actually think her OB does them as routine... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-563315 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:23:51 +0000 plantains 563315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't worry, the measurements are off so often, it just seems like a bit of a crapshoot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worriedbabys-head-measuring-big#post-563310 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:22:34 +0000 charlotte 563310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey everyone. Just got back from the peri and have some concerns about delivery. I won't see my regular OB until next week so I wanted to see if anyone can make me feel better in the meantime!</p> <p>I'm 35 weeks..level 2 ultrasound shows the head measuring 38 weeks already. I know these measurements can be off sometimes but I can't help but worry. He measured it like five times. The rest of the body is slightly above normal but nothing crazy.</p> <p>The peri said it's definitely possible that the head won't be able to engage (he is head down though). I'm okay with an uncomplicated vaginal delivery or scheduled section but terrified to have him get stuck or need an emergency section....or tear horribly. Anyone have experience with birthing big-headed babies?? Am I overreacting?? </p>