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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Growth scan - head on 50th centile, abdomen on 95th...

22 replies

icravecheese · 06/09/2011 14:34

Hi All,

I had a growth scan last wk because I was measuring 3cm over for dates. They never got to measure femur because baby was lying in a tricky position, but they said they were perfectly happy with the head & abdomen measurements....

But has anyone else had a growth scan where head is normal size but tummy massive? Nobody seemed concerned (midwives / consultant) but to me it seems slightly strange. All measurements were on 50th centile at 20wks....not sure why tummy is so big now.

Also, they said my amniotic fluid levels were normal - AFI was 21.7 & I've noticed some ladies on MN have AFI levels of 22 / 23 and are told they are borderline polyhydramnios. Again, midwives & consultants say amniotic fluid is normal & nothing to be concerned about...

I know I shouldn't be concerned as none of the health professionals are, but just wondered if anyone has any wise words / similar experiences?

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MissRee · 06/09/2011 15:01

At my 20 wk scan, the baby's belly was much bigger than head - hadnt even given it a second thought tho as scan lady said all was fine I just assumed lo took after it's daddy

HPonEverything · 06/09/2011 15:12

Hi cheese, I had the exact same numbers as you at my 20wk scan. Like you, nobody seems concerned and tbh I haven't dared ask (ignorance is bliss and all that ).

I'll watch this thread with interest.

banana87 · 06/09/2011 15:15

You shouldn't be having a growth scan at 20 weeks. Most hospitals and scan centres require you are at least in your third trimester before having a growth scan.

KateeTheBump · 06/09/2011 15:16

It might just be that the baby had swallowed fluid prior to the scan and so had a distended tummy? I think this happened with mine at the 20 week scan, tummy was at the 95th+ and bigger than everything else, but they weren't concerned. All bump measurements have been about a week/10 days behind since, so I presume baby not ginormous

nearlymumofone · 06/09/2011 15:17

don't worry. on one of my scans they said my DS had a 'massive head' and on another they said they couldn't find the legs. both things totally freaked me out but he's nearly one now and he's absolutely perfect. good luck.

tiddleypompom · 06/09/2011 15:24

20 weeks does seem a bit early to start worrying about measurements - as banana says this would normally be in the 3rd trimester? I would advise you to take the experts advice and not to worry unnecessarily. Your baby has plenty of time to grow and you've probably suffered a case of 'too much info' that has understandably got you thinking...

FWIW at my 36 week growth scan all of the measurements were inconsistent with each other - i.e abdomen at 38 weeks, head at 36 weeks, femur at 36+4 - I just figure s/he will be what s/he will be - utterly perfect I'm sure :o

captainbarnacle · 06/09/2011 15:37

I don't read this as a 20w scan.. reread.

Apparently trhe tummy is where the weight is... big babies have big tummies. So, nothing to be concerned about... but be prepared for a big baby!

tiredandgrumpy · 06/09/2011 15:47

Dd2 appeared on same centile lines at her 36 week scan. Nobody concerned. Was told I'd probably have a largish baby and she was on the big side at birth but not enormous. Has now settled on 2nd centile line for weight but is perfectly happy and healthy so have concluded the scan was merely a guideline rather than anything. ''tubs" is now anything but!

goodnightmoon · 06/09/2011 16:21

my son's femur, abdomen and head were all over the map at 30 weeks - femur short, abdomen normal, head large as I recall. i was a nervous wreck but he came out fine, maybe his legs were a bit short!

neolara · 06/09/2011 16:27

Yes. I had a scan at 36 weeks with my ds. His head was normal size. His tummy was so big the computer could not cope with the data and the sonographer had to work it out by hand. When he was born at 36 + 6 he weighed 8 lb 10. It was however a very easy birth. As the midwife said, tummies are squishy so big tummies aren't a problem in terms of coming out.

Original poster

icravecheese · 06/09/2011 16:38

Thanks for all your reassuring words ladies...

Sorry, probably didnt make it very clear - at my 20wk scan everything was on 50th centile, I'm now 34wks so growth scan is in 3rd trimester.

But am hugely reassured by your comments... & yes I think i will put it down to big abdomen taking after daddy

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banana87 · 06/09/2011 16:56

What percentile were your measurements at 34 weeks? If you've seen a consultant I would be pretty reassured that everything is fine :)

tiddleypompom · 06/09/2011 17:03

Oops sorry, didn't read your post properly, doh! "Don't worry" still stands though :o

Good luck with next few weeks; am almost 38 wks now and this last bit seems to be going on longer than the proceeding 8 months!

Original poster

icravecheese · 06/09/2011 17:43

yes I agree tiddleypompom, the last bit really drags!! This is my 3rd baby, & i've never needed growth scans or anything like that in previous pregs... they've all been so straight forward (not that this one isnt!). But as HPoneverything said above - ignorance is bliss. My previous babies have weighed in at 8lb3oz & 8lb8oz, so this one is probably heading towards the 9lb mark. I guess if they'd growth scanned me at 34wks with my other babies it might have thrown up funny readings, but they didnt so I was none the wiser so didnt worry at all!

But thanks once again for your reassuring words xx

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sleepevader · 06/09/2011 18:45

Have they tested for gestational diabetes?

Gill79 · 06/09/2011 21:12

DS had a normal sized head (about 50th I think) and tummy off the scale. He was absolutely fine and 7lb4 at birth at 38 weeks.

Original poster

icravecheese · 06/09/2011 21:26

No not tested for GD but I don't think I have it...no risk factors or previous history or family history, or symptoms other than measuring large. In fact today at 34wk appt I measured 36cm, so only 2cm ahead now (was 3cm).

Thanks gill79...reassuring post :)

Have c sect booked for 38+ wks (due to previous tears, not size) so at least if baby is a biggy, I won't suffer down below!!

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hubbahubster · 07/09/2011 08:30

Growth scans are a load of guesswork IME. DS was measuring 20th centile at 36 weeks, then 80th at 38 weeks - I was told he already had an estimated weight of 7lb 8 and instructed to 'bail out' at 39 weeks. He was 6lb 13. Wish I'd put my foot down and insisted on going to term, I could have done with the extra week to get ready! Don't worry :)

Original poster

icravecheese · 07/09/2011 10:49

yes I think you're right hubbahubster - I just remembered too that the sonographer was a trainee, and she did each measurement about 3 times (obviously another qualified sonographer was watching) but she seemed to get a different reading each time she did it, guess because baby was wriggling around.

I am expecting a big baby anyway....so she'll perhaps just be big with a huge tummy!!

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GuillotinedMaryLacey · 26/10/2011 10:59

Bumpety bump :)

Just been for a growth scan at 30 weeks. Head 47th and tummy something like 97th. She still dated me at 30 weeks exactly and didn't bat an eyelid so I assume it's not a big deal. Have recently had GTT and passed it.

banana87 · 26/10/2011 20:22

I had a growth scan in Monday. Head 25th centile, abdomen 95th. Predicted weight 3.2kg give or take 20%. Am scheduled for induction at 38.5 weeks as DD was big. Consultant said the only thing he worries about is shoulder dystocia as its a big baby. Have your midwives/consultant been willing to discuss this option with you?

happenstance · 27/10/2011 08:16

i'm the other way round, DD had head on 95th and abdomin on 50th, that was unnerving but i have a big head aswell so maybe its heredetory

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