Why does my baby have a huge tummy but I dont have gestational diabetes?!

[Blahh95]

I had a growth scan yesterday at 31+5 and my baby was measuring roughly 33 weeks (no concerns there) however his stomach was measuring 37+3!
I have had the GD test twice now in this pregnancy and it has come back absolutely fine both times, I have also had my blood tested for other circumstances multiple times the most recent being 4 days ago and nothing has flagged up, it was still normal!

So if I don't have GD what is causing my sons large stomach? Im a healthy weight etc.
Is there anything I should be concerned about or research? Is there a risk of him coming early or me needing a C-Section etc?

The hospital won't give me an answer until they've "done more tests" which is me keeping a diary of my blood 4 times a day for a week.

I just want to know bluntly if theres anything I need to keep an eye on, research or be wary of!

No advice but following as I’m in the same position! First couple of scans were totally average - 50/70% for weight and size etc. Then I went on holiday and came back to a scan where he had a huge growth spurt and was measuring top line for everything
Have had 3 further scans and he’s stayed on that line, his head and legs aren’t top line but his tummy is over 99%.

I’ve had a negative GTT in June and consultant has no intention of testing again, all my wee samples have been perfect and whilst I’m not a skinny Minnie, I wasn’t overweight when I got pregnant and I haven’t gone mad and gained a ton either - maybe 2.5 stone?

If it helps reassure you - I asked extremely bluntly and repeatedly in my consultant app on Monday if there was a reason or potential concern etc and if we should repeat GTT and the consultant (who is the foetal medical expert at my hosp) said no, she did say if I absolutely wanted to and it would “make me feel better” then they would do the blood prick monitoring daily but that she didn’t think it was necessary.

The outcome seemed to be I’m just having a fat chubby baby and although he’s on the bigger side he isn’t giantic.
I’m 38+3 and measuring at est 8.5lbs as of Monday.

I should add - the only reason I’m with consultant and had the extra scans is bc I’m 37 and in my area that is considered advanced maternal age. I have had a totally low risk average pregnancy.
Also, consultant has now discharged me back to midwife lead care and said - see you at 41 weeks for induction if he doesn’t come before.
She really isn’t concerned about his size or his tummy

My DS measured really big especially on his abdomen, they tested me for GD all clear, they offered me an early C section but I took an early induction instead, he was a big baby and is in a lot of 12-18 clothes already at 7 months but he is really long it's not all round his middle

Grumpos - the only concern they have which is why they're pushing for the finger prick test is he's not following a steady growth line even for a bigger size (if that makes sense).
So at 24 weeks he was on the normal line (868g/1lb 14), at 28 weeks was just above the line (1468g/3lb 3) and now at 31+5 he is well above the line (2548g/5lb 10)

Fingers crossed he's just a little chubster! Nicknamed him my little pot bellied pig today :')

If it’s any consolation, my daughter had a big tummy - the midwife even commented as she was delivering her that the head and shoulders were out but I needed to do another big push to get her tummy out! I had a completely straightforward pregnancy with her, including a negative gtt, and she is now a happy healthy 3 year old (and is not chubby, her height and weight are 50th percentile).

@Lauren Oh wow! How much did he weigh at birth? My baby’s femur length is coming around 70 percentile so they don’t think he’s particularly long. I think he’s just gonna come out a barrel!

@Blahh I understand! I have accelerated growth once out of 6 growth scans but generally it did follow a pattern, which makes sense why she’s not overly concerned I suppose.

The irony is I only had extra scans bc of my age, apparently they worry about older women’s babies being small ——- ha! Not in my case it seems

Measurements can be off. My DS was supposed to have a big tummy and stubby legs. He was going to be a ‘bruiser’ apparently. He was the complete opposite once I was at term, long and skinny. I’ve actually noticed that he tends to get chubby around the middle just before he has a growth spurt. You’ve still got a few weeks for things to change.

They estimated him as below

33 weeks 5.6lbs
36 weeks 7lbs
39 weeks born 9lbs

At 33 weeks his abdomen was measuring 37.5, 9lb isn't huge I know but if I went to 42 weeks I think it would of been pretty tricky

I had GD and was told my baby had an above average abdomen. She didn't when she was born!! Scans are really unreliable

I make babies with big tummies.

I'm 22 weeks and had a scan yesterday his tummy is 97 percentile.
I need a glucose test but I know it's fine. My other two had big tummies as well, and they are born big.

I think this one will be a 10lb'er.

My 1st baby measured big on the abdomen. I was expecting her to come out like a buddha!
They also told me she'd be close to 10lbs and she was 8lb 3oz so with this pregnancy I've taken it all with a pinch of salt!

My DS had a big tummy so they kept testing me for GD, Like you I didn't have it. He was born a very chunky and healthy 9lbs 10oz at 39w and still has a big tummy at nearly a year. He's just going into 18-24m clothes! My DD was also big for when she was born & had a big tummy in comparison to everything else...it's obviously just the way I grow them!