Large abdominal circumference

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Hi all. Had the 34 week scan yesterday to confirm that the low lying anterior placenta has shifted, which it has. Found out that all baby measurements are as should be, except for a large (97 percentile) abdominal circumference.

Does anyone have any experience of this? What does it mean? Should I ask to be tested for GD? So far all my blood and urine tests have been regular. I'm aware that a single scan is not the most reliable indicator of measurements etc but can't help but worry.

It all depends on your personal history whether there is real concern about diabetes or not, so if you don't get proper answers, don't be afraid to keep asking until someone gives you a clear explanation of your scan findings. You may be reassured to know though that usually if no-one says much about anything about the results and just sends you on your merry way, they are ABSOLUTELY FINE, if they are not you get taken to small side room to wait to see a specialist and everyone looks all concerned etc etc etc

The way I was taught about ultrasound is that one measurement being big is not of any significance, it is quite typical to see babies with long legs for example which exaggerate the weight estimate. Having large abdominal circumference can be a good sign of a baby who is well-nourished because rheir main priority is growing their head and vital organs, hence a baby with a normal head and small everything else is not ok because they have no energy going spare, while normal everything else and healthy size belly is a sign of well-functioning placenta that feeds the baby abundantly and builds a strong bonny baby with plenty of reserve for labour and anything else life may throw at them.

Have someone look at your report to explain whether there is any evidence of actual abnormally big baby anspossible diabetes link, but to me from your description it sounds just a normal healthy baby.

Thank you so much for your reply HomeHypno, you've really put my wandering mind at ease. I'll get to see a midwife this afternoon so will be able to raise the scan report with her too.

Really hope you're spot on and that mine is a well fed baby :-). Thank you, once again.

Mine has also turned up a large abdo circumference as well as head circ in the 20 wk and then a 30 wk 4d scan I had. But nobody has seemed concerned. I like the idea of a well nourished bonny baby! Must be all the choc bagels porridge bananas I've been stuffing into my face..

My dd had a very large abdominal circumference all the through my pregnancy and I was at risk of developing GD because of both my BMI and family history- but all was fine and I didn't have it so I probably wouldn't worry over the scan size alone

Thank you so much ladies. I've got a regular BMI and no family history of GD so here's hoping. Quackojuliet I think that I can fairly blame it on the cupcakes I can't seem to stop baking recently although your treats sound delicious too.

Quick update: midwife reassured me that all is within the normal range and that the baby is growing well. Also it doesn't look like I need to test for GD either. Thank you so much for your kind posts everyone, really helped to read them all.