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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Midwife has told me baby is measuring a week ahead?

24 replies

HeffalumpTheFlump · 11/07/2013 15:19

I've posted on here about being massive already at 26+4. Saw the midwife today and she had a feel of my belly and said "Ooh she is a big baby!" and noted down that she was the size of a 28 weeks baby.

I'm scheduled to have a growth scan next week anyway, (ironically because a wanker of a doctor didnt believe i had stopped smoking so was worried the baby will be small ) so will know for sure then, but should I be worried? Does this mean she will definitely be a whopper? How accurate is this as the midwife just had a feel and didn't measure anything?

Also I have felt kicks up really high and already feel her kicking my ribs at the side which made me think she was big anyway. Will they change my due date if the scan shows she is massive? Anyone else had this then had a normal size baby? Sorry about all the questions, just feeling a bit worried now.

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missesjellybean · 11/07/2013 15:23

my dc was about 2-3 weeks bigger than expected and was 9lbs 7 when born so not small but not huge...your growth scan will give you a better idea but loads of things can affect how big your bump messures like how the baby is lay, how good the midwife is doing the measuring etc. I was measured by 2 midwives in one day and the difference they got with my bump size was 3cms. so try not to worry too much

noblegiraffe · 11/07/2013 15:26

It's not a good way to tell the size of your baby. Both pregnancies I had a growth scan because I was measuring a few weeks small and my babies were both normal sized, I just hid them well. The growth scan will give you a better idea.

willitbe · 11/07/2013 15:30

With my dd I was measuring 2 and 3 weeks ahead between 20 and 30 weeks, most midwives said I was big and questioned repeatedly if it was twins.

It evened out in the final trimester and was only a week or so ahead of dates when giving birth.

However it was all water, my dd was the smallest of my three children at 7lb3oz. So despite giving me the most stretch marks and the hugest bump, she was petite.

Even growth scans can be very misleading. So please do not worry, all is most likely to be fine, definitely no need to worry.

beckie90 · 11/07/2013 15:31

I don't go by measuring tbh its totally inaccurate. My first I was measuring slightly above, he was 2wk late n 6ib 8. My 2nd was measuring either bang on at some or just slightly under at others. He was on time and 9ib and my bump was tiny, they always said when they felt him he's around same size as your last. He wasn't. This time I was 2wks ahead at 28wks, 1 week behind at 32wks and bang on at 35 xx

PeriodMath · 11/07/2013 15:34

I wouldn't worry about it. The midwives I encountered barely seemed to know anything beyond which orifice the baby should emerge from.

Original poster

HeffalumpTheFlump · 11/07/2013 15:37

Thanks so much for your replies. She didn't actually do a fundal height measurement, so it was all from feeling my bump? Would she really be able to tell like this? If she is big does it mean she will come early?

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TheFalconsmistress · 11/07/2013 15:46

I am measuring 6 weeks ahead atm but i am a big girl when i got scanned for non movement she was measuring 4 weeks ahead in the tummy and 2 in the head but they were not concerned at all they said they would only be concerned if she was measuring small so try not to worry big babies are good and MW said no reason to think they would be early.

Original poster

HeffalumpTheFlump · 11/07/2013 16:12

Thank you so much, good to know I don't need to panic if she is a bit big! I will just have to wait until next week to find out at the growth scan. Thanks again :)

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TinkyPeet · 11/07/2013 16:18

my bump is measuring 11 cms ahead now. I'm 39 weeks tomorrow. You can imagine the quite comical mound sticking out of my front...lol.
So far I have had fortnightly growth scans. And on Tuesday just gone baby is measuring at 8lb.
Don't worry about it :) x

Original poster

HeffalumpTheFlump · 11/07/2013 17:06

Tinky that's really reassuring to hear, thank you!

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TarkaTheOtter · 11/07/2013 18:42

Neither fundal height or growth scans are accurate in my experience. My "large" baby was born 7lbs.

IBelieveInPink · 11/07/2013 18:53

Just a word of warning ( not meant to scare you at all, just trying to raise awareness) please make sure if you are measuring over they give you all the scans you need. My sister was measuring over, they told her they wouldn't let her go overdue. Then they let her go 2 weeks over, with no growth scan or anything. She didnt know to push for a scan as it was first baby. Baby was over 11lb, and labour.... wasnt fun.
Obviously this will not happen to you as they are already giving you a scan which is great :) just trying to encourage people to get checked if they are worried about something!
Hope the scan puts your mind at rest :) (I will also be asking for one!!)

Rowboat · 11/07/2013 19:32

i measured over and was predicted a big un. Dd was 8lb 14 so not tiny. but not the 10lber they kept saying. She was very long and is still tall and slender. In fact she shot out once I started pushing! I think none of it is an exact science and the Sunday height measurement particularly inaccurate. Wait and see what the scan says but even then take it with a small pinch of salt.

Rowboat · 11/07/2013 19:33

fundal not Sunday. sigh. also meant to say ny growth scans predicted the 10lber.

missesjellybean · 11/07/2013 19:34

yeah that's a good point my dc was estimated to be a large baby but he was really tall too..think he was 2ft when he was born...wonder if that's why some people have huge bumps n not so huge babies?

Original poster

HeffalumpTheFlump · 11/07/2013 20:19

That would make sense about her possibly being really long. My mum told me that I was a very long baby, not bug just very long. It would be lovely if she just shoots out!!

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Original poster

HeffalumpTheFlump · 11/07/2013 20:20

Big not bug!

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podgymumma · 11/07/2013 22:18

My large baby was 6lbs 4oz!!

babyhmummy01 · 11/07/2013 23:24

Heffa the mw can't tell in weeks how big baby us or isn't without measuring you so she is being a twit.

Original poster

HeffalumpTheFlump · 11/07/2013 23:32

I did think it was a bit odd that she decided I was measuring 28 weeks without actually doing any measuring I'm not a midwife though so I assumed she must be able to tell somehow?? Oh well we will see if she has magical measuring hands when I have my scan next week!!

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babyhmummy01 · 12/07/2013 00:21

I think they just guess mate, mine religiously measures me every time, and even ignoring the flab she is measuring my bump at 34cm which is spot on for 34wks pg. However its only ever a guide, only real way is the scan.

I want a growth scan just so I can see her lol, have 6 weeks til I get to meet her and am growing very impatient

Original poster

HeffalumpTheFlump · 12/07/2013 10:10

Thanks babyh! Aww bless, it's not long now! I have to say even though the dr was a complete and utter knobber I was secretly pleased to get 3 extra scans! I think by the end of this pg my whole family will have seen baby! DH works for a not very understanding employer so often can't come to appointments so I'm taking a different family member/ friend each time

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giddywithglee · 12/07/2013 10:16

Both my bumps measured 1-2 wks ahead at some point and then a few wks later they measured the right number of weeks. Babies have growth spurts, even in the womb!

but because I'm tall my bump always looked small - the new community midwife asked me if my first baby was a normal size when she saw me at 38 wks (my first was 8lb 8.5ozs) because she thought my bump looked so small. When DS2 arrived 2 wks later he was 8lb 13 ozs.

ChunkyPickle · 12/07/2013 10:21

I'm measuring a couple of weeks ahead - and midwife had a feel and thinks the same (and I do feel more uncomfortable earlier than last time) - but I just can't bring myself to believe that the measurements are that accurate - they all just have a quick rummage and declare a measurement.

I can grow my measurement a good 2 cm just by tensing my stomach to make it stick out more, so if they measure me at the end of the day, or after a long walk (it tends to get quite tense then) then I wouldn't be surprised at it being bigger than if they measured me first thing in the morning when everything's relaxed.

Growth scans are also notoriously inaccurate (I can't find a link, but didn't I read that something ridiculous like 50% of them are a pound out?).

I think these things are great for catching babies that are small, but pretty poor for detecting bigguns.

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