Pregnancy Growth Charts

[Rhi519]

Hello, I have a question! are the growth charts you get during pregnancy tailored to each mother or are they standard? I have a low bmi, it was 16 at my booking appointment. I had a growth scan last week at 32 weeks as they were concerned the baby may be small, he is about average for head circumference and leg length but the stomach was measuring on the 97th centile! I’m worried I’m going to have a massive baby, and so wondered if it may be so high on the chart as they had predicted he would be small due to my bmi? He’s my 2nd son, my first was 7lb 7oz born at 41 weeks with no trouble at all, measuring average through all of his scans.

Thanks

Depends entirely on the hospital. Some will use customised growth charts and some use a standardised ones. Customised growth charts are the ideal.

Hello, thanks for replying to me. That’s interesting that some do and some don’t, I guess I’ll have to ask my midwife at my next appointment!

My growth chart was tailored to my BMI and the sizes of my 1st and 2nd kids.

I had growth scans as they were concerned DS2 was big. Then too small. Then too big again. In the end he was born at 40+3 at 8lb14oz. DD1 was 7lb 4oz. The big baby wss a MUCH easier (I genuinely describe it as a breeze) labour.

Thanks for your reply, did they mention induction or c section due to the bigger size? I’m hoping if he is big the fact that he’s my 2nd will make it easier anyway! Wishful thinking maybe I have heard people say that the growth scans aren’t very accurate but as soon as they say he’s a big baby it just makes you think I’ll never get him out!

Also increased stomach size when everything else is normal is an indicator of gestational diabetes so might be worth asking them to screen you.

@Hoowhoowho the scanner mentioned GD but the consultant said is I had no other risk factors he didn’t want to test me for it, he said the fluid was measuring fine and as my bmi is low and not high that he didn’t think it was with screening me for. But he has booked me in for another scan at 36 weeks

Hey! I'm having monthly growth scans too due to having low Papp-a at my 12 week screening, which can cause low birth weight.

At my 20 week scan my babies measurements were all 50th centile, but tummy on the 97th.

At 28 week scan, baby measuring around 50th centile but stomach 75th. Grow chart shows him totalling just over the 50th centile.

At 32 week scan, baby measuring 50th centile but stomach back up to 97th. He has now jumped upto the 90th centile on grow chart.

They said it is likely he is going to be a bigger baby but that isn't cause for concern. He mentioned diabetes but I said I hadn't had a test and that because I had no other risk factors my midwife did not offer me the test.

I have been referred for a further app this week on weds to discuss results with my consultant. I believe I'll have another scan next week to see if he's still growing at accelerated rate. I think I'll also have a GD test next week but I feel like it's a bit late I'll be over 34 weeks then.

I'm due to have a c-section but not for this reason. There was brief discussion about my c-section being brought forward if he is still growing quickly.

As far as I've read, providing head and all other measurements are growing normally, a big stomach indicates a healthy baby. (Would need to rule out GD however)

@jessicakxx thanks for your reply 😊 I’ve looked online and there’s nothing really worrying on there other than perhaps gestational diabetes, but when I mentioned it to the consultant he said I had no other risk factors and said you’re already almost 33 weeks, as though there wouldn’t be much point in testing anyway - that’s how he came across. I’ve got my midwife next week so I’ll see what she thinks although she doesn’t really have an opinion on anything it seems! The midwife I had last time was so good, this one is abit like a robot unfortunately, she’s perfectly pleasant but we just haven’t really clicked. I’ve then got another growth scan in 3 weeks when I’ll be 36 weeks. I guess if they have any worries they will just get me started early!

Definitely, I'll keep you posted on my apps this week as I've got consultant app weds and midwife app Friday. I'll let you know whats discussed x

@jessicakxx that would be really good thank you 😊 hope it all goes well x

Hey, just spoke to my consultant, he said that I don't need to have another scan before my next one which is in two weeks. He said the growth of baby is still in the normal limit 90th centile and that although he has a large tummy, this too is within normal limits 97th centile. He said he's not worried about GD as I have no risk factors.

Obviously glad that he's happy with the growth etc just confused as to why the sonographer said about having biweekly scans and GD test.

Xx

@jessicakxx thank you so much for letting me know it was the sonographer who said to me about GD, I think perhaps they have jumped to conclusions too quickly and automatically assume big belly = GD. But it’s the consultants who are the specialists and so they’re the ones who know what they’re talking about! He said the same to me, that I’ve got no other risk factors and that they have to look at the situation as a whole. I’m having growth scans due to a low bmi so they have assumed he would be small, so I’m not sure if they will scan again after 36 weeks or just leave me to it 🤷🏼‍♂️ My next scan is on the 23rd sept and then I’ll see the consultant after, so I’ll let you know what they say looks like we are just good at growing babies! 🤣

Haha yes I think so! What's your due date? Yes let me know how you get on! My next scan is the 17th sept and my section is booked for the 8th October! Xx

Also what was your baby weighing at your 32 week scan xx

@jessicakxx my 32 week scan was when they said his stomach is on the 97th centile, if they’re correct then he’s just over 5lb and I’ve got 7 weeks to go 😱 I’m due on the 19th of October x

Eep! My due date is the 16th October but as I say my section is the week before! When I had my 32 week scan I was 31+6 and he weighed 4lb 7oz. I'm having a boy too! Hope your next few weeks go well and keep me posted on your scan ❤️

@jessicakxx haha I know! The consultant did say there’s a 25% margin of error so I’m hoping they have over estimated abit and that he will have levelled off by my next scan. But we will see, there’s not a lot I can do! I’m trying to eat more cautiously, not that I was eating terribly before but just cutting down on sweet things just incase it might help! I hope it all goes well, why are you having a section if you don’t mind me asking? Xx

I don't eat bad either I eat all fresh home cooked meals, don't really eat much chocolate or crisps. Just fruit, cereal, and then normal food with veg etc, think our babies are just extra hungry and taking more food!

I'm having a section as I requested one due to health anxiety around vaginal birth. I was already under consultant care due to having low Papp-a, and he was really happy to approve the section. I'm much less worried about birth and now looking forward to it 😁

How's your pregnancy been xx

@jessicakxx that’s really good they didn’t make a fuss about your elected section and brilliant if it’s meant the anxiety around the birth has gone! I’m more worried about the potential of having a c section than a vaginal birth, it’s funny how we are all different! My pregnancy has been ok, I’ve found it harder this time around generally and I’ve felt a lot different than I remember with my first son (he’s now 3). Im not sure if it’s just because having another one to look after means you can’t rest as much, I felt sick for longer this time it didn’t pass until well after 20 weeks whereas with my first it stopped at 16. I have also been alot more hungry this time, especially in those first few weeks which probably explains why he’s so big! 😂 I was sure I was having a girl this time since it’s been so different but he’s definitely a boy! I had a really positive birth experience with my first so I’m hoping for similar this time! Xx

@jessicakxx I had my next growth scan today, he’s measured just over the 50th centile so I think they over measured him last time! But as the growth has now slowed (if you consider the last one to be accurate) the consultant isn’t happy. So I’ve got to go and be monitored next week and then have another scan the following week when I’ll be 38w + 2. I’ll let you know how it goes! Hope all is well with you xx

Hi! I was trying to find this post to check in on how you got on!

So has his tummy reduced to the 50th? And his head and legs on the 50th too?

My growth scan a week ago at 36+6 babies head and legs had stayed on the same growth line at around 50th, his tummy was still at 97th so followed the same line. They're estimating him at 6lb8oz a week ago. He's estimated just over the 90th centile.

Glad you're both ok! Xxx

@jessicakxx from the graphs it looks as though his head is on the same trajectory his leg is a little lower than last time and his stomach has come down from the 97th centile to just over the 50th. But I’m convinced they measured him wrong last time! If you take out the massive measurement from last time and look at the 20 week and then the 36 week they are on the same trajectory so I think that’s where he should be. But the consultant said he can’t guarantee that it was measured wrong and he needs to check again to be sure that his growth hasn’t slowed. I know it’s best to be safe, but I was hoping to be discharged from consultant led care today and be left alone! We will see how he is doing in 2 weeks, they’ve predicted him at 6lb 2 today and I’m 36w +2 so I’m happy with that. If you’re at 6lb 8 a week ago then it sounds like we are having similar sized babies 😊 not long for you to go now until you have him! Hope it all goes well, please keep me posted xx

@jessicakxx I hope you’re ok, I had baby Sid on the 10th of October he was 9 days early and weighed 7lb12oz! I wanted to let you know he wasn’t massive after all! Take care xx

Just to say I don’t have a low bmi like you but it is very much in the normal range (just under 21). I was in a similar position and at 34 weeks consultant said “I think it’s very unlikely you have gestational diabetes but let’s just rule it out”. Turns out I did have it!

That’s good they found out, always best to check I guess. I spose I’ll never know if I did have it! But it all turned out ok in the end