Woman Gives Birth to Nearly 12-Pound Baby and Survives!

on December 26, 2011 at 9:49 PM

baby hand On December 11, 2011, tiny 5 foot 4 inch, Erin Kellam, gave birth to a 11 pound 11 ounce baby boy at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. That's a whole lot of 11s. And a whole lot of baby. Like an early Christmas miracle, Kellam had this baby vaginally. Gasp! How did she do it? How could a 128 pound woman (before pregnancy) be able to have a child that big? That's almost double the size of your average baby.

Perhaps it's just one of the great mysteries of the world. Something record-breaking. So profound it belongs in Ripley's Believe It or Not. Or maybe ...

... it's just totally natural. The hospital said they believe it's the largest baby born there, but little big baby Elijah Andrew Clark isn't the biggest born in Hamilton. A larger newborn was born vaginally at McMaster University Medical Centre, though they won't say how much the child weighed. Perhaps to protect the baby from the onslaught of inappropriate fat jokes.

We sure are weight-obsessed, aren't we?

Jaws dropped over a 16 pound baby delivered via c-section; and again over a 13 pound baby born vaginally. Many couldn't believe an 11 pound 2 ounce baby could be born at home. These women and babies sure prove that it can be done. It's stories like these that every pregnant woman should read and realize that women have been birthing babies of all sizes since the start of (wo)mankind. And birth is nothing to fear. A large baby is nothing to fear.

Baby Elijah's dad, Wes Clark, said he was "relieved that he was big," adding, "I’m a little clumsy, so I’m a little nervous when it comes to smaller babies. He’s nice and big and strong already.” This made me smile.

Interestingly, the ultrasound had estimated Elijah’s weight between nine and 10 pounds -- even more proof that ultrasounds don't always show the exact number, nor should they create worry. Mama Erin's pregnancy was normal, she gained around 50 pounds, and she didn't have gestational diabetes. Her due date was December 1st, but was born at 9:34 p.m. on December 11th after about 24 hours of labor.

Kellam needed stitches and a blood transfusion, but she was in good hands and is home now and is recovering well. This first-time mom had faith in her body; she trusted that she could birth a "large" baby vaginally, and I'm really impressed that the hospital trusted in that, too.

Congrats to the new family!

Do big babies worry you? Or do you have faith in a woman's ability to birth a child even if larger than average?

Image via fruity monkey/Flickr

About the author Michele Zipp

loves vintage and will defend skinny jeans to the death though she is highly superstitious and "death" is probably a bad word choice. She has a touch of the hoarding disease and enjoys sleuthing, the worst reality shows, and wearing high heels, even at the playground. She's an AP mom of twins, slightly crunchy but with a pedicure.

Filed Under: delivery, labor & delivery, labor

Comments (47)

sunshin3mom8

on Dec 26, 2011 at 10:19 PM

Of course it's a little scary to me, this being my first. But as long as he's healthy, I think I'll be just fine. I'll do anything for that bouncy bundle of joy that I'll call my son :)

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Nonmember comment from Ravenfaye

on Dec 26, 2011 at 10:24 PM

That is amazing! I thought my baby was big. My little Evilynn was 10lbs 4ozs and 3 days early and I delivered her vaginally. She quite literally ripped me a new one with a third degree tear and 30 stitches. I didn't have diabetes but I did gain 60lbs with her. I am 5 foot 4 inches and before pregnancy I was 110lbs. She is 6 weeks old now and a super healthy, perfectly content baby.

LittleFrogsMA

on Dec 26, 2011 at 10:40 PM

She wouldn't have needed a transfusion with a c-section.

I'ld rather have the cut.

DarklitFaery

on Dec 26, 2011 at 10:51 PM

My sweet boy was 8 pounds 6 ounces and said I "needed" a c-section. My friend popped out a bigger baby than mine!

angevil53

on Dec 26, 2011 at 10:52 PM

i have to agree with littlefrogs on this one, sometimes natural isn't the way to go. tearing and bleeding out doesn't sound like a walk in the park. thank goodness she was at a hospital. and what's with these huge babies?! i had gd and my baby was 6.5lbs bc i watched what i ate. not having gd isn't a green light to eat whatever is in sight.

Jerichos_Mommy

@LittlefrogsMA

How do you know she wouldn't have needed a transfusion with a c-section? Our bodies are created to deliver babies and most of the time we can do it with little to no intervention . Women have delivered babies by themselves or with the help of community women a lotlonger than we have with all the interventions of doctors. You must also remeber a c-section is major surgery and has a slew of risks associated with it.

Lynette

on Dec 26, 2011 at 10:57 PM

A friend of mines last child was over 11lbs. Thank-you very much, she didn't even tear! It's about getting off your back, pushing when and how your body tells you. And sometimes a position to birth in that's called the gaskin manuver(hands & knees, w/ one leg back a little).

But if you are on your back(pelvis will close by 30%..that's a big deal w/ a big baby). And letting things strech w/out rushing it. There is a lot to be said for a drug free, unmedicated labor when it comes to big babies. For pain management you can try things like birthing tubs and Hypnobabies.

Lebelle93

on Dec 26, 2011 at 11:10 PM

I thought my 9lber was huge.
WOW. I bow to her. Haha.

colins_mom

on Dec 26, 2011 at 11:15 PM

I always tell people to add 3 pounds to the estimated weight!! They told me my little stinker was going to be 7 pounds he was 9lbs 6oz! And I tore a little but not much at all! I feel for that momma tho! She must feel so much lighter LOL!

Nonmember comment from Stacy

on Dec 26, 2011 at 11:23 PM

I didn't tear at all with me 10lb 9oz home born baby :) I did however end up needing blood. Every birth is different, but the vast majority of the time, natural vaginal birth is the best for momma and baby!