Growth scan today - where's the logic?!

[mummyspice]

So I was measured as 27cm at 29 wks but at 33 wks measured 33cm and have jumped to top line. So MW booked growth scan worried baby was big. DS was 8lb 2oz - I'm 5'3" and normally an 8/10 and I keep getting told it was big baby for me. Had v long labour and failed to dilate last cm was transferred from mlu to hospital but delivered naturally in the end with episiotomy. However had horrendous experience at the hospital I was admitted to and really don't want to have to labour there.

Looked at DS measurements at 13 wk and 20 wk scan and comparing it to the same scans with this baby this one is smaller.
Any advice anyone? Is it possible this one could be bigger or were my measurements at 29 weeks wrongly taken?

I know from reading threads on here that the scans can be inaccurate but I'm getting myself into a bit of a state about it all. Really wanted to go back to my local mlu but if they say baby looks big will they make me go to the hospital? This hospital is my only option in the area.

Really sorry for the rant but looking for advice/ handholding/ reassurance...

I have never had a growth scan to be honest. Once a midwife measured me 2 weeks behind and she said if this was the case next time they would do ...something. Next time I saw another mifwife who measured me exactly as many weeks as I was. I think being a different person made a difference in my case. Were you seen by another mifwife last time?

Also during my first labour was quite similar to yours although not too long. The last stage of subsequent labours have only taken a few minutes so it is likely that this time you will be able to fully dilate and push much easier this time.

Yes. This last time was a different midwife to my usual one

Fundal measurements can vary depending on ther person doing it, the baby's position etc. Personally, I would go to the growth scan because if something was wrong, I'd want to know about it.

AFAIK, and I could be wrong, 'big baby' is not an obstetric complication unless it's linked to something else like gestational diabetes or the mother having an exceptionally small/wrong shaped pelvis. Talk it through with your MW to see how your local NHS Trust handles it but I can't see any reason for it to be a reason not to use the MLU.

I've just completed a programme of 3 growth scans over a period of 8 weeks - 28 weeks, 32 weeks and 36 weeks. It was advised, in addition to a GTT (which was clear), as DS weighed 10lbs 5oz. In that period I have also had 3 MW appointments and I have measured 2 weeks small, 2 weeks big and, most recently, spot on.

To be honest, I don't think there was much point to the scans, in fact the consultant I saw after the most recent one said he couldn't understand why it had been advised for me. I did have a 3rd degree tear with DS so I think that was a factor. According to the growth scans DC2 had an estimated weight of 6lbs 3oz at 36 weeks, which should lead to a birth weight of 8-8.5 lbs. I feel like this baby is smaller than DS but I'm taking that predicted birth weight with a pinch of salt.

Interestingly I never measured big with the MWs for DS, despite feeling huge and him turning out to be 10lbs 5oz. Everyone who had seen me when heavily pregnant was astounded by his weight, most people, myself included were predicting about a 9 pounder. I told one of my MWs this when she was measuring me a few weeks ago whereupon she measured me again and said that I was 2 weeks big with this one. I was sceptical that the only reason she said this was because I had told her no-one identified DS as an especially big baby.

My MW told me that there is little they would do about another big baby anyway. They don't induce earlier for that reason anymore, it is more 'forewarned is forearned' so they may be more prepared for complications etc. I'm quite glad DS was never identified as a big baby as I was able to have him in the birth pool and, despite my tear, it was a good experience. I'm more worried about tearing again this time than I am of another big baby.

Thanks for the comments. Interesting you say that OyOfMidWorld. The sonographer this afternoon was a bit puzzled as to why I was there. Estimated weight at moment of 4lb 10 which she said was expected and plotted back down to original growth line. Feel very relieved but it was lovely to see bean again and be reassured everything is ok.
Good luck this time Oy. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.