by Olivia (U.S.)

Hi Kristen,

I am wondering if you might have some insight in to what causes someone to have a large baby besides the “you might have undiagnosed GD” line that often gets used?

I currently am following the Brewer diet recommended by my midwife and we have been working on transitioning to the traditional/non- processed diet recommended by the Weston A Price foundation for the last year and a half.

I certainly am not perfect, though, especially being 8 months pregnant and craving ice cream! (although I am trying keep the sugar to a minimum).

I started out over my ideal weight, and have had family members comment that I will probably have a bigger baby. My husband and I were both in the 7 pound range when born. So far my belly measurements have all been within a cm or two of my week's gestation.

Have you found any information on this? Is it too many carbs? Protein? Thank you for your help! I'm starting to get concerned that I am making a really large baby.

Answer:

Hi Olivia,

Many women just have large babies – large babies also do seem to “run in families.” Many women who have bigger babies have mothers, grandmothers, and aunts with bigger babies.

Other times it is caused by something like Gestational Diabetes. These babies have more trouble because of blood sugar fluctuations.

However, big babies don't inherently have more problems than smaller babies.

If your belly measurements are all within a cm or two of “normal” then it sounds to me like you are right on track.

Other people may comment that it looks like you're going to have a bigger baby, but those are really just that – comments. Even ultrasound weight checks are pretty inaccurate (they can be off by a pound or two). Doctors and midwives often make mistakes with weight, too, when they palpitate. If that's the case we can assume that normal onlookers are probably even less accurate!!

When I was around 36 weeks pregnant with my second baby, I had a man come up and ask me if I was overdue because “you look so huge.” Well, that was my Asher and he has been my smallest baby at 7lbs, 12oz!

Bigger babies actually tend to be easier to give birth to, and they are healthier and heartier than small babies.

It sounds to me like your diet is wonderful and that you're working hard to have a healthy baby. I would personally just ignore your family members. The Brewer diet and WAPF principles have proven time and time again to build healthy babies and to help mothers have happy, healthy pregnancies.

Being well-nourished will greatly benefit you during birth, too. You'll have the strength and stamina for a quick birth, or for a longer labor, and for a quick recovery in your postpartum time.

Good diet also helps you produce rich, ample milk for your baby – which keeps both you and baby happy!

Even if you're a small woman, you can give birth to a good-sized baby – focus on your diet, and know that your body will build the perfect sized baby for you.

Let me know if I can help with anything else!