Measuring big for my dates

[Doretaball]

Hi

I had an appointment with my midwife yesterday and I'm measuring 39cm - I'm only 34 weeks. She said that she didn't think that it was a particularly large baby but rather that there was a lot of amniotic fluid.

I stupidly (and am now really cross with myself) did a bit of research into this and have scared myself about all the horrible things that this could mean.

I have a scan on Tuesday afternoon so that they can check it all out but now can't stop thinking about all the bad things that it could be.

Did anyone else have this issue or can offer any practical words of wisedom?

Thanks v much

Claire.

It's hard to tell from your measurements how much above average you are because their predictions are personalised to your weight and height. I was meausuring quite big earlier in my pregnancy, but my growth has seriously slowed so I was sent for a growth scan. It turns out the baby's small and my fluid's high but both in the normal range.
IME if your MW was really worried she would've had you in for a growth scan almost immediately, as in that day or following day. I've been told they don't tend to worry too much if you're measuring big, it's more if you're small.
Try not to worry, and I hope all goes well on Tuesday.

I had this last week when I was just under 36wks but measuring as 42wks.

I had a scan which showed that although there was a lot of fluid, it was still within the normal range. The figure they gave me was something like anywhere between 5 and 20 was normal and mine was just over 19. The MWs weren't at all concerned.

As Saoirse said, they worry far more about measuring small for dates. If it was urgent you would have been sent for a scan either the same day or the following day. My scan was 3 days after my appointment with the midwife.

Good luck. :)

hi i was always measuring big for dates. at 40 weeks i was 44cm. i am a very petite 4.11 with size 3 feet and my ds arrived with a huge head and weighing 8.13, i also had a massive amount of water. just remember women are different and these measurements for weeks are just a guide. we talk about big and small tummys in pregnancy well they cant all be spot on in measurements can they? there are so many different ways of carrying bubba. you could be over/underweight, baby could be big/small or you could have lots/little water. i wouldnt worry but its worth the scan just to be sure, and just think you get another chance to see your baby again!

I had the same thing last pregnancy- consistently measured three or so weeks above from about 32 weeks. I had extra scans which I found reassuring. I was told baby was quite big and fluids just within normal range. Everything was fine in the end . Baby was 9lbs 3 oz and I certainly knew about it when my waters broke but he was just perfect! Try not to worry too much!

Thanks very much for all you comments - they were what the rational part of my brain was saying but very reassuring to see your views are similar.

Roll on Tuesday!

good luck and let us know how you get on x

do you have fibroids? they are very common and can make you measure big.

Hi there.
I measured big throughout my pregnancy - they found a lot of extra fluids during my scans which I had heaps of due to a problem they found with my daughters kidney.
I, like you, totally freaked myself out and was convinced there was something really wrong. I even asked to stop being scanned after 34 weeks as it was just stressing me out so much and they said there was nothing they could do anyway.
Gave birth to BEAUTIFUL and TOTALLY healthy baby girl almost a year ago today. There is nothing wrong with her kidney or anything else. She weighed 9lb, and is still on the 99th centile for height though only 9th for weight!
Please don't worry - although I know it's impossible not to.
Good luck. Hope your scans are ok.
x

With both my previous pregnancies and again 3rd time round i measure about 3 weeks bigger. There is never any extra fluid just big babies. 1st was 9lb15, second 10lb7. Both normal deliveries and no problems at all. It might be just the way your baby is meant to be.

Also growth scans of bigger babies can be out by 20% either way which obviously makes a huge difference.

Thanks very much for your support. Had the scan yesterday and all was fine - a "good" size baby and normal levels of fluid! This measuring malarkey is just not very accurate!

I did get caught out with a urine test though - had a can of coke beforehand and there was glucose in my urine - busted!
Went back for another test this morning and no glucose present so that's good news!

Back on track now - phew!