When is the bump supposed to stop growing??

[Marabou]

I'm 38+3 today and had my last MW appointment last week when I was 37+4 and was told my fundal height was 38cm and baby was 3/5ths engaged. I know the fundal height measurement is not an exact science anyway, but I thought that when the baby's head is in the pelvis, the fundal height would stop increasing. Does this perhaps mean I'm having a big baby?

When you give birth.

In the last weeks the baby can put on a pound a week so obviously your bump will expand to incorporate this.

DD's head was fixed and engaged from 31 weeks. She had a further 8wks of growing to do at that point.

Big babies are nothing to worry about per se and if you're measuring 38cm at 37+4 then you're spot on for growth (even though bump size largely means feck all anywa ).

Jeez, didn't realise that they grow that much in the last weeks !! Hm, so that's why the MW didn't think anything of it.. Thanks :)!

Fundal height roughly matches gestation in weeks. So at 39 weeks it will be around 39cm, 40 weeks, 40cm etc.

They put on fat at the end. Their organs and everything are done and they just put on some stores. Same as you in readiness for breastfeeding. I had no stretchmarks until week 37 and then dd had a wee growth spurt...

I got my stretchmarks at 34 weeks on my left hip so I guess I'm looking at getting some more then ! And yep, I'm also looking even more plump than usual nowadays, if that's possible .. Such a magical time this is!

I had stretchmarks on my hips, stomach, back, breasts, thighs and knees by the time I delivered. Some appeared while I delivered ffs.

At least the fat stores you're putting down now are for bfing. The stretchmarks have served no purpose whatsoever although I suspect I could hide a curly wurly in the worst of them.