Abdominal circumference

[SallyMischievo]

I went for my 20 week scan today, (I am 21+1), all was well but I am panicking slightly about one of the results. The baby was measuring average or just a little bit over for everything apart from abdominal circumference which was 169.2mm and on the 85th centile. DP has been joking about the baby being chunky and I feel terrible! Have been trying hard not to eat too much rubbish but have succumbed to a Magnum or Minstrels on a few occasions as of late. Could my diet have led to the baby measuring bigger than average in this one area? Advice would be very much appreciated.

[neolara]

I don't think it has anything to do with how much ice cream you've eaten.

I had a scan at 36 weeks and my Dr's tummy was so big it was literally off the scale. The computer couldn't cope with the figures and the sonographer had to work out the centre rank on a piece of paper (99+th centile). I wanted a home birth but the doctors were very negative. My midwife was much more positive - she said tummies are squishy, it wasn't like having a 99th centre head circumference. DS was born at home at 36 +6 and weighed in at 8lb 10. It was a very straightforward birth and didn't even hurt that much. Definitely the "best" of my 3 births.

Good luck and try not to worry.

[frankiebuns]

My ds was off the scale too he was 8lb 8oz his head was off the scale and his legs he is now 3 he has a huge head and is in 5-6 year old clothng he has size 9.5 feet and is huge . My dd2b is under the 50th centile at 34 weeks so much more baby like I will know in 10 days how big she is but they are saying tiny!

[Mistyautumn]

My dd is already off the scale too. Reading 37weeks at 32 weeks. Consultant said it may be worth cutting down on sugar in case liver was being made to work slightly too hard. Sonographer said not to worry as tummy will squash xx

[twiglet2]

Mine was at the top of the scale. I mentioned this to my midwife at my 24 week appmt this week, and she said not to worry, it could just be that the baby had drunk a lot of amniotic fluid and needed a wee! All other measurements were normal, and I'm measuring average for this point - try not to worry :)

[squizita]

This measurement can vary wildly because the practise swallowing fluid and peeing! Ours was huge, they even chuckled about it being a 'chubby belly' - I asked if this was a sign of a medical issue and they said no.
They would tell you if there was a problem, that's what this scan is for.

Had had 2 scans since and baby's size has evened out.

[squizita]

...and it means nothing in relation to size of baby, as it's not bones etc at 20 weeks. Just belly! When PP have spoken about big babies etc', they are talking about 30+ week scans, you have a while yet!

[SallyMischievo]

Thanks all! This is very helpful. Next scan isn't until 36 weeks but will discuss with my midwife at our next appointment.

[Isabella24]

I had this - all average values except AC which was off the scale. The sonographer wasn't concerned but when my MW reviewed the measurements she referred me for a glucose tolerance test to rule out gestational diabetes. That came back negative. Baby was 8lb and didn't have a large tummy!

[Isabella24]

That was my 20 week scan too, like yours.

[yorkiebilb]

Exactly the same thing happened to me, everything else was normal but abdomen top end of scale. I panicked too and have asked about it at every appt I have had since (I'm 26+6) and they weren't worried at all and didn't suggest referring for a growth scan as they said everything was within range. Hope that helps x

[SallyMischievo]

Many thanks, Isabella and Yorkie. That's very reassuring to hear! x