Bump measuring big at 34 weeks

[BlossomBlue]

Hello everyone

I have been very lucky and had a really straightforward pregnancy so far. Had the GTT test, all fine, and blood pressure etc always ok. I have a high bmi, classified as obese before (unexpectedly) becoming pregnant. However, I have always exercised regularly and mostly eaten well, just been someone who is never going to be little.

I am extremely sensitive about this because it's always sort of dominated my life, trying to lose weight and paranoid that everything thinks I'm massive (I was a size 14 before getting pregnant though, which isn't that bad!). So I have found pregnancy weight gain very challenging. I've maintained exercising, though at 34 weeks I have had to slow down from boot camp style things to long walks.

Everything has been fine all the way along but today my midwife referred me for a growth scan because I'm measuring about 3cm more than I should. I am so so upset about this because I feel like I have failed my baby by not being healthy enough. I am terrified that he will be huge and the birth will be traumatic and that it's all my fault. I think this could mean I can't give birth at the birthing centre I want to and might have to go to the labour ward instead. And I'm terrified that yet again when I go for my scan tomorrow it will be pointed out to be that my BMI is too high and this makes everything harder.

Does a bigger bump mean the baby will be very big? And is this probably all down to my weight?

I just wanted to offer some reassurance. When I was pregnant with my DD I measured big pretty much the whole way (normal BMI). I think I had one extra growth scan if I recall. I wouldn’t get too worried at this point. Fundal height measurements are really not that accurate which is why you are sent for an extra scan so they can get a better gauge on things. Just see at it as an opportunity to see LO again. In my case I did have a big baby (9lb 7oz) and I also had a very large placenta according to the midwife but I had a very straight forward water birth in a midwife led birthing unit with no interventions required.

Thank you very much, reassurance very much appreciated. Glad all went well for you x

Please be reassured that it's nothing to do with your own weight, or even necessarily baby's size. I'm petite and size 10, but my bump measured consistently 2cm above. DD1 was 9lb 2, and DD2 10lb 7, with both I was able to try water births etc. I think it just means that if they know baby will be big, they can offer additional support/options, but it will just be suggestions, they can't dictate anything about your birth.

Sounds like you've taken amazing care of yourself. Baby size is far more down to genetics than your diet/exercise, so don't worry!

My bump measured a variety of sizes throughout pregnancy, including three weeks ahead at one point. Baby arrived on Saturday at a perfectly normal 7lbs 9. Measurements are notoriously inaccurate and can just be the way Baby is lying (mine would lie with her bum sticking right out under ribs). Even the scans aren't that accurate, although our 38 week one was actually pretty spot on.

Oh and I was 31 BMI when I got pregnant so my being overweight didn't mean anything for baby's weight.

Please try not to worry. I had the same at 34 weeks and had a growth scan at 36 weeks where the sonographer was lovely and we got the chance to see our baby. I had a high BMI (33) but it wasn't mentioned. It's all guess work anyway... when else would you expect every woman to measure the same regardless of body shape?!
I was told my DD was 8lb8 at 36 weeks... she was born at 38 wks weighing 7lb11!

I was overweight before both of my pregnancies. DD never measured over but was 8lb 9 at birth, and 91st percentile for height when that was measured. DS showed ahead for most of my pregnancy and I was sent for GD testing and a growth scan, he was 9lb at birth but has quite a large head even now in more ways than one

Thank you everyone, you've been very kind. I feel better and calmer now, though of course won't completely relax for a while, hopefully the scan will help.

Cakeandslippers you make an extremely good point, how can you expect people to measure the same?!

Thank you again x