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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

28 week MW appt - baby measuring big - reassurance needed

14 replies

Nunners · 20/04/2011 15:36

I think I need some reassurance (and my sanity restoring after MN website deleted this post first time round!)

I had some 28 week blood tests (glucose levels) this morning, and have just got back from a MW appointment. Baby is measuring 3 weeks ahead of dates and, depending on the blood tests and the growth scan I'm now being sent for, the worst case scenario could be that I'm induced early and would not be able to have the midwife led/less 'medical' birth I was hoping for.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the ramifications of potentially having a whopper of a baby - had a massive growth spurt over the last couple of weeks after being quite a neat bump until now. I worry about him being whipped out before he's ready, and that my body isn't doing what is expected of it. On top of that, we are moving back into our house (rebuilt after a fire a year ago) on May 31, so it could all end up very tight for time indeed...

Have any of you been in a similar position? Induced early? Didn't quite have the relaxed birth you might have expected, but still enjoyed it all? Please reassure me!

thanks,
Nunners

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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DirtyBit · 20/04/2011 15:56

I'm in the same position as you, except I've just found out and am 34 weeks, so what was 6 weeks wait has now turned into 4 or maybe less.
I'm terrified!

mousymouse · 20/04/2011 16:02

do you have fibroids?
I always measured big because of them. try not to worry too much.

LilyBolero · 20/04/2011 16:02

Ok, see what the GTT says. Bear in mind that measurements and growth scans are notoriously inaccurate. Also bear in mind that a large baby isn't necessarily difficult to birth - keeping mobile and upright will help keep the pelvis open far better than an induced labour will.

My babies all measured small. My mw always predicted a nice '7.5lber' - the smallest of them was 9lb12, the biggest was 10lb12. He was more difficult to birth - he had mild shoulder dystocia - but the middle 2 (10lb and 10lb2) were fine - both they and the whopper 10lb12 were all born at home, with no pain relief, and no stitches.

If the GTT comes back with GD, it probably is worth going for the consultant-led unit, to be on the safe side (I would anyway, because you really don't want them to get stuck - it was v scary when ds3 did, and fortunately my mw was prepared for this and had practised what to do, because she suspected this was a possibility, despite him measuring small, or with dates).

Original poster

Nunners · 20/04/2011 16:04

poor you - I just read your other post! I suppose the only thing we can concentrate on is that our babies are safe and being monitored really closely - the best thing for them.

I can't recommend highly enough following a low GI diet for GD or other blood sugar things. I've posted on here about it before, so might be worth doing a search on it - I find that not only does it help with my sleeping (lots of sugar can make your heart pound, your dreams very vivid and your sleep unrestful), but it keeps me calmer as I don't have sugar rushes and crashes which leave me with cravings and that kind of manic, panicky feeling. So far I've gained 16lbs in nearly 29 weeks which to me seems absolutely fine - my concern after today's appt is that it's all baby...

You must feel really shocked though - at least I've got a bit longer to get my head around things and replan if necessary. Keep calm, have a cuppa and some cake. Oh no, maybe not cake with GD. Oatcakes and cheese? Nuts?!

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Original poster

Nunners · 20/04/2011 16:07

previous post was for DirtyBit - sorry.

Thanks to the other posters - I have so far shown no signs of GD and have been discharged from consultant care as I am clearly able to control my blood sugars, but it's still a bit of a worry. Perhaps also becuase I've had no problems at all (not even morning sickness) so it's the first thing in an otherwise totally plain-sailing pregnancy. Hey ho - onwards, and I suppose what will be, will be!

Might have to rethink my maternity leave starting date if it's looking even earlier than planned! Silver lining... :-)

OP posts:

DirtyBit · 20/04/2011 16:09

Haha thanks :) I saw the dietician yesterday and so have a whole new diet plan & am monitoring blood sugar levels regularly, but I just feel like I don't know what to do.

You're right about them monitoring us though, at least its not like I've found out the week before or anything.

FannyFifer · 20/04/2011 16:10

Who says you are measuring big? Is it just midwife measuring fundal height?

I measured big both times, DS was 6lb 8oz and DD was 8lb8oz, on DD I was measuring 36 weeks when only 30. Was also told at growth scan she was huge at least 9lbs.

Try not to worry till you find out for definate.

Twit · 20/04/2011 16:16

I measured 2 weeks too big at my 28 week check, (I don't have problems with blood sugar etc) and reckon it was
a) because it is not my first
b) transverse
c) the way I carry 'em

The MW also said alot of people measure big at 28 weeks and slot into their grwoth chart a bit further along.
However I think it is really hit and miss unless you actually have a scan and an experienced sonographer.
Good luck!

Janoschi · 20/04/2011 22:46

I was told my DD was growing faster than she should be. Basically said she was 3.5lbs rather than the 2.5lbs she should've been. Gave me a bit of worry for a while but she seems to have slowed down and is now only slightly bigger than she should be at 36 weeks. Though who knows? She's not out yet so I've no idea how it'll all pan out! What I wanted to say is that it's all guesswork really on the MW's side. They do their best but there's nothing really concrete to go on. Try not to worry.

ecuse · 20/04/2011 23:01

I was measuring 33cm at 30 weeks, they sent me for a growth scan which concluded the baby was 'bang on average' sized. I think the tape measure test is a VERY crude measure. It's subject to measurement error in itself (can be quite varied depending on who's doing it) and it's just not that good a predictor of the size of the baby. Which is why they send you for a scan to have an actual look inside before they get concerned about anything. For example, I've heard that short women (which I am) are more likely to 'measure ahead' as there's less space between pelvis and ribcage, so the uterus has to go 'out' more than 'up' as it can in a taller woman. Like twit says - the way you carry 'em. Also, as twit says, by 36 weeks I was back on the 'normal' trajectory on the tape measure test anyway. So babies probably just don't grow in a nice even 1cm-per-week trajectory - reckon mine had a bit of a spurt then slowed down to catch up with the average. Don't worry unless you are told there's something to worry about! (Easier said than done, obviously)

cowboylover · 20/04/2011 23:29

As others have said the outside MW tape measure is very inaccurate and if it's a different MW this time compared to last there is no consistency either.

A thread fried was measured my different MW in the same week and they had huge variations.

I have been measuring bigger so sent for a scan and yes she is bigger than average but according to the consultant there is nothing to worry about and no reason to do anything different. I did feel worried as you as big babies run in the family and my DH was 11lb 10oz

As others have said try not to worry and it will be fine x

cowboylover · 20/04/2011 23:30

Should have read thread friend sorry

Original poster

Nunners · 21/04/2011 08:13

thanks all! After sleeping on it and lots of tea, I figure the scan and bloods will give me the real picture, there's nothing I can do about it in the meantime and as long as he continues to flip about happily and regularly, all will be fine. So I'm going to get the top down on the car and spend the day zooming around in the sunshine with my lovely hubbie, giggling. There, it's decided.

OP posts:

Pootletrinket · 21/04/2011 08:21

Just another to agree, but my MW at 28 weeks measured me 3-4 weeks big (and said that I'd have a 5kg baby if this continued!) but at 24 weeks, I'd measured small (by 1 week). MW said if I wasn't already going for growth scan, she'd send me for one; growth scans were fine, so I'd agree and chill until the scan results!!!

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