28 week appointment - obsessing over growth

[Lyra2018]

Hi, I'm quite scientific and love my graphs. I've also got anxiety. It's my first pregnancy and am currently off work due to mental health (occupational health appointment tommorow) so becoming bored and obsessive. I am physically fit and well.. Except for migraines... And hating people telling me how great I look when I have one. I feel crap in the morning, look in the mirror, decide I don't need make-up still get complimented... Was looking forward to my first measurement at my appointment. In the 12 week scan the baby was a perfect size, due date was exactly the same as my lmp calculated date. At my 20 week scan the baby was slightly above average. Since then I've felt as though my bump is growing too fast but dismissed it as anxiety. Today it was measured above normal limits, dispite being in a slightly transverse position. My midwife reassured me that she's not overly concerned, it's the shape that matters... but at the next appointment in a couple of weeks may request another growth scan. My dad has big genes...how can I stop worrying about growth?

A big baby isn’t any cause for concern unless there are associated reasons right? Presumably you don’t have gestational diabetes? Or too much amniotic fluid?
Some babies will be small (I have small babies) and some will be bigger. Maybe you can articulate what your concern is?

Try not to worry- scans are notoriously inaccurate (quote from my MW!).

I'm currently 36 weeks and was told baby was too small at 20 weeks; sent for more scans. At 30 weeks told baby was too big; sent for more scans and diabetes tests. Scanned on Monday at 35+4 and told all is normal.

I just try to be happy that extra scans mean I see the baby more often than most mums to be would!

I hope all goes well for you x

It's just general anxiety really, the midwife was concerned they may be too much fluid, and the waiting two weeks until the next appointment...I don't have diabetes, nor does it run in my family but my medication could cause cardiovascular issues and weight gain...and the fact I'm never ill so normal pregnancy symptoms are a shock...

I've only been on the lowest dose medication about a month, it's good physically but another thing for me to worry about.

I had two pregnancies where I measured small fo dates and the placenta had to be checked numerous times. I am very tall and long bodied. My best friend had a pregnancy where she consistently measured very big and had to have more than one test for diabetes. She is incredibly short (I’m talking a good 8”-9” difference in our heights). We both endured worry and growth scans. All three babies were born weighing the same very average weight of 7lb 5oz.

I’m not saying that there is never an issue when anything is picked up but we are testimony that vastly differently sized women carry similarly sized babies quite differently. Try not to worry, the extra testing is to your advantage but almost certainly everything is fine.

You are literally describing me! I'm 28 weeks pregnant with my first and also have mental health problems and I've had to have growth scans. They give out growth scans all the time for so many different reasons, mostly just to double check. I got anxious about it and felt like I was just getting bad news at every appointment and something was going to be wrong. So don't beat yourself up, your acknowledging that you feel anxious, in 12 weeks your going to have a beautiful healthy baby. Happy mum happy baby, so keep well and do what's right for you.

Thanks everyone, I'm average height but short bodied and longer legs so there's probably just less room in my abdomon than average. I'm starting to get more short of breath when excersing, never had any breathing problems before so I overreact.

Still obsessing, now it's hot I feel like I can drink enough water, and I'm snacking and worrying about diet. Cucumber feels the safest. I'm getting ezsma too, could be from a range of things, probably the peanut butter I had for lunch. Nuts are supposedly good in pregnancy now but... Evidence is varied. Possibly a sun allergy, I've had it once before though and it was far more itchy. I've stuck to shade anyway... Got my next measurement next week, midwife recommended, I think it's my 31 week check up early, I'm 28 weeks today, had my last appointment at 27... I never book my appointments dead on time and she said a couple of weeks either way doesn't matter.

With my first I measured dead on the whole time and she was only 6lb when she was born. This time I measured a week ahead at my 28 week appointment. I really would try not to worry so much (easier said than done I know) these measurements are really not that accurate.
It sounds like you are really suffering from anxiety. I would try and talk to your midwife or gp asap about this as it really isn't good for you or baby for you to be stressing out all the time. Try to not worry about what you eat I have found our bodies are amazing at letting us know what we need. Good luck.

Thanks, for your concern. I'm getting lots of support and treatment for anxiety, recent dose change is difficult but I have a mental health review tomorrow.

Loving everything salty at the moment, probably because of all the water I've been drinking.

It's more family who have never been pregnant telling me what I should or shouldn't be eating.... First baby but its been good talking to cousins, all women in my family seem to have had pregnancy anxiety.

I have just put a similar post to this but the opposite end, they think my baby is small :( I'm so scared and wish I was told the opposite and he was big. I've been told the tape measure theory isn't accurate but I'm so worried now.
Have they tested you for diabetes if they think baby is big? X

I’m in the same boat as you. I am 28 weeks and have three additional growth scans as they are slightly concerned about the uterine arteries and how well they are pumping blood to the placenta. I am trying to stay calm and console myself with the fact that we’re lucky to have extra sight of our babies. It’s better to be monitored too much than too little!

Kay they've not tested for diabetes...I don't have high blood pressure, It doesn't run in my family... Big genes do though....my mum had early but good sized babies and no easy pregncies but she is tiny and my dad big, I'm average... But I have had some medication in recent years that's main risk is developing diabetes... I've only been on a low dose though and am physically fit and well... One measurement isn't enough to go by. Louise, that's what the midwife said about the arteries,( either that or extra fluid) . She said I should relax and put my feet up more. Problem is, with both my anxiety and a slightly dodgy hip it's hard to get comfy so I normally just walk around, I have an active job that I've been signed off sick for now due to the combination of mental health and pregnancy.

Hey, how are you doing Louise of chalky. I've just had my 28 week bloods back at my midwife appointment yesterday. There's been no growth and I'm low on iron. We talked about it at the meeting before the bloods (it's a worry if it doesn't grow) and I'm now getting a scan on Sunday. They were good at reassuring me, the baby was in a different position and I hadn't eaten much the day before and of my appointment... I think I didn't eat well in the heatwave with other stress going on at the same time... I've got iron tablets now and a scan, so like other people I'll focus on it being a treat to see the baby again, I'm just getting more obsessive about movements, I'm not great at monitoring them...

My first had a head measuring weeks ahead and my bump was weeks ahead too. Muttering about giant babies were made.

Baby was born perfectly healthy and 7lb. And has been quite a titch ever since.

Second baby also seems to have the giant head and I have a bump the size of a small planet.

Scans are prone to about 20% both way error. Tape on the bump is very very crude and really more for monitoring big changes rather than giving a size.

You’ll see how the size of the bump itself varies a lot over the day depending on where they are. Mine tends to hide round the back in the morning then sit at the front later on and its several cm of difference even at 22 weeks.

I’m also short and there’s nowhere to go but out. They will keep an eye on you if you’re on any meds that could cause growth issues or if they suspect anything is awry.

Can you get some help for the anxiety? I suffered very badly after my first was born and it’s very treatable if you catch it.

Thanks, blowfish, that's really helpful for me. I'm getting good for my anxiety as I've had mh issues in the past and now I'm pregnant I'm now reviving good treatment.