Baby measuring beyond 95th abdomen

[Dalesgirl16]

I'm 28 weeks and today and a month ago my baby had measured beyond 95th centilitre for abdomen. I had the GTT test today. I'm just wondering if anyone else's baby measured this big and they didn't have gestational diabetes in the end? Seems most likely? If you didn't have gestational diabetes did you still have to have the baby early and by caesarean? I was really hoping to not have a caesarean this time.

Centile, not centilitre

Currently 39+6 and carrying a whopper (currently estimated 9.5lbs). Had to have the GTT test and it came back okay, so no diabetes. Our baby is measuring big in the abdomen too.

Still had to go in for a consultation appointment but they were willing to let me go 40+12. I negotiated down to 41 weeks. I will be induced if she doesn't make an appearance before then.

They were quite casual about it to be honest, with it only being that it was a big baby on board, and not a bi-product of GD. They mentioned if it had been GD related, I would have been induced at term.

I measured above the line earlier this week (29 weeks measuring 4lbs/2kg) and had the glucose test yesterday - assume I don't have it as I was told I would have had a call by now if so.

I'm not expecting the measurements to be accurate though so not expecting a massive baby.

I was huge with DS, though it turned out to be mostly amniotic fluid (this has a name I can't remember it). I did have GD but controlled it successfully through diet.

I went into labour at 36+4 and gave birth 3 days later. I would have been a natural birth but he was op and had the cord around his neck several times, (apparently more likely to happen with too much amniotic fluid, as they can do more spinning etc), so I had a spinal and forceps at the end. DS was 7lb 13 so would have been fairly hefty by 40 weeks.

Bear in mind you never HAVE to have inductions or cesareans, you need to listen to medical advice and work out what works for you. Obviously everybody's safety is important. I started labour with DS in a birthing center (which I had to fight to do) but obviously it didn't work out for me. My friend refused induction and had her baby at 44 weeks, 10lb but perfectly healthy.

DC3 was off the charts with abdominal measurement and GTT was not only negative but it was very low scores.

with DC3 I measured huge, but had GTT and all was well. I was polyhydramneous (SP) basically too much fluid.
Was told to expect earlier labour. He arrived a day before 37 weeks weighing 9lb 0.5oz My bump by that point measured over 70 cm!

I had a scan last week at 34 weeks and my baby's abdomen is measuring 90% on the chart. I tested negative for Gestational Diabetes and they don't seem at all concerned.

Thank you. This is all very reassuring!

I was put on a Low GI diet to prevent diabetes during pregancy (I have PCOS) and delivered a baby the size of a rabbit! She was dinky dinky a diddy little thing, even smaller than they said she should be!

I’m 38 weeks now, I’ve had 5 scans since 14 weeks and every time baby has been on 97th percentile for abdomen- he was measuring 6lbs at 33 weeks. I’ve had the full GTT twice and both times negative. I’m not overweight so no lifestyle reasons why he would be this size.

I was told they would like to induce me at 40 weeks as they don’t want him to get bigger. I’ve had horrendous SPD so I have a meeting about a c section next week as I’m anxious about an active labour.

But overall hospital don’t seem worried about babies size as long as you don’t have GD.

Good luck! X

Yep. 98 with 1st and 35 weeks with 2nd and 95th. C section both times but not due to size. Didn’t have GD either time - 1st was 9.11 second looks likely to be similar!

Both of my babies were off the scale huge, past the chart parameters for abdomen.

They were big and very broad. No gestational diabetes though even after lots of testing. I also had polyhydramnios with both.

My 5 month old has just outgrown his 9-12 month clothes and in 12-18 months. So probably best to not buy lots of tiny newborn clothes.

Good luck op

Wow!! Might not need my old newborn babygros then.

I forgot to say the head is measuring beyond 95th centile too (my husband has a big wad too). Ouch!!

I mean head, not wad haha! Can't type today

Yes - DD was off the chart with her abdo measurement. Negative GTT, then after a further scan had to finger prick myself for a week which still showed negative for GD.
DD was 8lb 9oz and did always have a large tummy until she got to being on the move

Oh 8Lb9oz isn't that much for the measurements to have been so high during pregnancy.

Yes tummy (accurate via ultrasound) was measuring 95+ and accelerated to 99+ centile by 37 weeks when I went into labour.

Test was negative for gestational diabetes so doctors were only really concerned about possible difficult delivery.
I will stress that your situation is extremely unlikely to be the same as mine as it's a 1 in 50000 births issue, so don't worry about it, but may be worth a Google to read about it and be aware. My child has Congenital Hyperinsulinism and the excess insulin production was causing his accelerated tummy growth.
I will stress again it's really unlikely to be the cause, so please don't worry, but I thought awareness doesn't hurt as it is one very rare cause of very large tummy measurements.
Best wishes for you pregnancy.

I found out today that I don't have gestational diabetes. I was told that the baby's growth is going at a steady rate and if it continues likes this it will weigh 9 and a half pounds at birth. This, as well as a head measuring beyond 95th centipede, is scaring me in terms of having a vaginal birth. My first was emergency caesarean and strangely makes me feel like maybe I can't give birth naturally! Is it likely to be very difficult and I end up with a tear or something. The consultant said very little and said it's up to me what I decide to do.

I had a 9.5lb baby vaginally - just a graze. My 8lb 10 baby gave me a tear. The difference between a 99th centile head and 75th is small in the scheme of things, and abdomen size is less concerning than head (tummies are squishier)

I was told by several obstetricians that you are more likely to tear when having a small baby as they often put their hands, and sharp nails, in front of their faces or elsewhere. Big babies can only come out one way.

@Dalesgirl16 I don't want to scare you op, but I'd do some research and speak to your consultant about how you should give birth as I did have problems with dc1, gave birth naturally, zero to baby in less than 4 hours and unfortunately did tear so severely that I needed surgery afterwards, along with treatment for a haemorrhage and I have got ongoing (pretty grim) issues as a result. Serious tears can cause life long issues. I did have an elective c section with my second and it was honestly an amazing experience. How did you feel after your c section with your first? I have been told that a planned is far nicer than an emergency. I got my date months before, went in to hospital in the morning and back on the recovery ward by 10am. It was a really lovely experience in comparison to my first birth which honestly still gives me nightmares.

Sorry just reread your last post and saw that the consultant said very little. Can you ask to see another for a second opinion? If you decide the continue with a natural birth, I'd definitely have a look at some classes on best positions for birth etc. I didn't realise that lots of things contributed to the injury I had as well as a big baby with his hand up by his face. He had to be checked out for a while because they were worried about shoulder dystocia.

Just to add to this.... I’ve had 6 scans since 12 weeks... every time baby’s head and abdomen have been in 97th percentile- literally off the little chart they provide. Went for a growth scan today at 39 weeks and he has gone down to 70th percentile and is estimated to be weighing 8lb 1oz. They told us at 33 weeks he was 6lb and that I would have a 10lb-er. So now I’m thinking it’s all a bit of nonsense!! Weeks of being worried and he’s totally normal!

Thank you for your advice. I'm aware that scans can be inaccurate so will see how they continue. I have an appointment next week at the VBAC clinic and will decide then but I'm now thinking maybe an elective caesarean might be best.

Definitely take measurements with a pinch of salt. My friend's baby was measuring 95th percentile the whole way through and she had a lovely natural birth to a nice and neat 7 lbs boy :)