Indonesian woman gives birth to 19-pound "toddler"

by Nancy J Price, SheKnows.com

Every time I read one of these stories about big huge babies being born -- like this week's about a woman giving birth to a baby who weighed a hefty 19.2 pounds -- I am amazed. Even more surprising than the baby's physical size is that her pregnancy was even able to progress to that point.

All the women I've read about delivering these super-ultra-plus-size babies (let's say that's 16 pounds and up) have had diabetes or gestational diabetes... which leads me to have serious questions about their prenatal healthcare.

But I know that not all big babies are the result of chemical imbalances. My firstborn, Charlotte, was 9 pounds, 9 ounces -- and was big even without any diabetes (gestational or otherwise).

As if to prove that a healthy mom could indeed produce a large newborn, a year later, my sister welcomed her own ultra baby, Kate, who arrived weighing an ounce more. After two more contenders over the next few years -- my 9 pound McKenna and her 9 pound, 6 ounce Emily -- I upped the ante.

Kieran arrived in 1999 after a veryveryfast, unmedicated birth. I'd been a huge preggo mama, so expected a 10-pounder this time around. That boy shocked us all by popping out with a 15" round head, and weighing 11 pounds, 7.5 ounces. Still no gestational diabetes or other health issues. I just make 'em big. When my fourth and final munchkin, Quinn, was born, he seemed small in comparison... but still hit the 11 pound mark.

When you consider the fact that the human body can make gorgeous little people from base elements like burritos and bananas, it only follows that (assuming we're healthy) our own bodies are made to deliver those babies, too.

It's a shame that so many women are made to worry that we won't be able to give birth without some sort of medical intervention. I feel very lucky to have had pregnancy caregivers who helped me stay healthy and believed in my body's ability to get the job done. And -- every day -- I have four fabulous reminders of that fact, too.


What do you think? Have you birthed a big baby -- or worried that you might? Tell us below!


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Birth stories: Big babies
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