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View Full Version : How much bigger did we get after our due dates?


elfkin477
05-23-2011, 12:52 PM
Lil bro and I were both 12 days over due, and both big babies for a woman who had no problems with gestational diabetes: we were each 22" long, and I (female) was 8lbs 3oz and he was 10lbs 6oz. The average newborn weighs just under 7.5lbs and is 20" long, and I assume this was also true in 1977 & 1983.

Suppose we hadn't been nearly two weeks late, how much smaller might we have been at birth? I know that when viability of a potential preemie is an issue, every week they stay in utero improves their chances because there is significant growth from week to week, but do these significant gains continue after a baby is full-term?

D18
05-23-2011, 03:23 PM
IANAD, but according to this chart (http://www.babycenter.com/average-fetal-length-weight-chart) about half a pound, assuming our operational definition of "12 days over due" = 42 weeks gestation.

Ca3799
05-23-2011, 05:30 PM
Babies gain about 1/2 to one ounce a day near term, so you would have been between 6 and 12 ounces less.

Mama Zappa
05-25-2011, 03:25 PM
However, the placenta becomes less efficient as it ages, therefore the baby might not be getting as many nutrients, leading to slower growth.

From here (http://www.welcomebabyhome.com/pregnancy/overdue_baby_pregnancy.htm):
These postmature babies lose some of the fat under their skin and are thin for their age with skin that is dry, peeling, cracked and wrinkled.
Of course, I don't know if 42 weeks is far enough along for that to be an issue.

elfkin477
06-01-2011, 09:26 PM
So my brother was destined to be XL no matter what, and I might have been closer to average.

Thanks :)