Baby's Weight...is it a problem?

Question

Hey guys,
My sister is 8 months pregnant and when she did her ultrasound this month it was found that the baby weighs 4 lbs...the growth is proper...but the doctors say that its a small baby....she is all worried and tensed....is it a matter of concern the whole issue? Please do let me have ur opinion regarding this.....

Answer 1

Eight Month
Your baby will be about 16 to 18 inches long and will weigh about 4 pounds at the end of this month.

Ninth Month
Your baby is now gaining about a 1/2 pound each week. Your baby is getting fatter and its skin is less rumpled. He or she is getting ready for birth and is settling into the fetal position with its head down against the birth canal, its legs tucked up to its chest, and its knees against its nose.

Your antibodies to disease are beginning to flow rapidly through the placenta. The rapid flow of blood through the umbilical cord keeps it taut which prevents tangles.

Your baby is beginning to develop sleeping patterns. Your baby will continue to kick and punch although it will move lower in your abdomen to under your pelvis (this is a process called "lightening"). You will also feel your baby roll around as it gets too cramped inside your uterus for much movement. Your baby's lungs are now mature and your baby will have a great chance of survival if born a little early. The bones of baby's head are soft and flexible to ease the process of delivery through the birth canal.

Your baby is now about 20 inches long and weighs approximately 6 to 9 pounds. Your baby may be born anytime between the 37th and 42nd week of pregnancy. Only 5 percent of babies are born on their due date.

Answer 2

While most babies tend to be around 6-8 lbs at birth, 4 lbs at 8 months is not a problem. Babies go through major development during the first 8 months and the last month is spent gaining weight. A baby that is already 4 lbs at 8 months will most likely be at normal birthweight by birth.

Although statistics will probably help you (and your sister) feel better, her doctors undoubtedly know her pregnancy better and therefore are the best sources of information. Since they say the pregnancy is going well, I would trust them.

You can also read this article by the March of Dimes that explains the significance of low birthweight.
http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1153.asp

Answer 3

First of all, babies gain on average 1- 1 1/2 lbs per week in the end. Second, ultrasounds are not accurate measurements of a baby's weight. Tell your sister to relax, everything will be fine. I have had three babies and the ultrasounds in the eighth month mark said my babies were underweight. Just eat a high calorie diet right now, get lots of rest and don't worry, as long as the baby is at least five and a half pounds at birth it will be ok. My babies turned wieghing 6lb9oz, 7lbs, and 6lbs 7oz. All very healthy. Don't worry, relax, it will be ok!

Answer 4

Tell her not to worry. If they baby is on time and the development is ok...there is nothing to worry about. And they baby can still do some growing in a month. My daughter was the same way. At my last ultrasound she was 4 1/2 lbs and in a matter of a month she was born at 7lbs 14 oz. Dont sweat it.

Answer 5

Nope, not a problem. The baby gains all of its weight in the last month - so there is time. The wive's tale is that the baby will double its weight in the last 3 months. So given that, sounds like the baby is right on track.

I was 3 lbs 6 oz when I was born, 6 weeks early, and I was fine.

Answer 6

one of my friends babies was 4.8 pounds when she was born. She was full term and very healthy. My friend did not smoke(which can cause small babies) she did not drink or anything. The little girl is 10 years old now and just wonderful. Don't worry as long as the doctor doesn't say anything was wrong. My kids were 8lbs and 12 oz and 8 lbs and 11.7 oz. I am only 5 foot and 105 pounds I would have rather had a small baby!

Answer 7

"Weighing" a baby via ultrasound is not very accurate at all. My baby was estimated to be less than 7.5 pounds when I was 40 weeks pregnant. She was born weighing more than 9. Every single woman I know who had her baby's weight estimated after an ultrasound was surprised to find that the doctor was absolutely WRONG. Your sister has nothing to worry about.

Answer 8

By the time she delivers I'm sure the baby will be over 5 lbs. as long as she goes full term. That is on the smaller side but not necessarily unhealthy. There may be more concern if she smoked during pregnancy or didn't gain enough weight. Then she should rightly be worried.

Answer 9

They can be wrong. The estimate weight by measuring the length of the baby's bones and their circumference. I had an ultrasound two days before my second son was born and they told me he was about 7 pounds. He was born a few days later and was 8 lb. 11 oz.

Answer 10

Piratedoll is right. Babies are finished developing by the 36th week... from that point on, they just get bigger. The infant could easily put on another pound or two.

Also, friends of mine have been told the same thing and then went on to have normal weight babies (7 pounds+). The ultrasounds seem to not be super-accurate at determining weight (or the infant's potential to gain weight.)

Tell your sister not to worry. Worry puts stress on her infant and low-birth weight could become a reality because of it.