QuestionHello! My question will make sense to you, once you know my story. Last year in April, I gave birth vaginally - and unmedicated - to a 12 pound 1.3 ounce baby girl. Long story - lots of complications - lots of pain, and lasting affects. Anyway, my question is this: How many babies are born at this large size in America? Or, how would I find statistics that show what percentage of births result in a 12 pound baby? I am dying to know. Thanks for any help you can offer.
AnswerHi,
Well congratulations! What a accomplishment! I hope all is well or at least getting better.
Well, I do know that in Jan. this year a 17 lb baby was born in Brazil. The largest baby EVER born according to The Guinness Book of World Records ever was born to Anna Bates of Canada in 1879.
It weighed 23.12lb (10.8kg) but sadly did not survive.
Now for Big Babies!
Large for gestational age (LGA) babies are those whose birth weight lies above the 90th percentile for that gestational age is defined as a fetus that weighs above 4000 grams (8 lb 13 oz) or 4500 grams (9 lb 15 oz) regardless of gestational age
In the U.S. about 10 percent of all babies weigh more than 4,000 grams (8 pounds, 13 ounces). Rarely do babies weigh over 10 pounds. Your defenitly in that 10 percent range, but over 10 lbs, your probably (and I'm guessing) in the 2-3% range
Any baby over 8 lbs. 13 oz is considered LGA, Large for Gestational Age.
I looked and looked, tried the U.S. Census, but found mostly pre-term or low birth weight babies.
I personally have seen 12, 13 and a 14 lb. baby. They do happen and Momma need a HUGE medal!
I'll keep looking and if I find anything, I'll mail back ;)
In the U.S.,
